Otter Cross Cultural Center events highlight LGBTQ+ History Month

October is LGBTQ+ History Month and the Otter Cross Cultural Center (OC3) has two related events on the schedule. 

At noon Friday, Oct. 6, as part of its Freaky Friday series, OC3 is sponsoring a decorating event at the Maker Space on the third floor of the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library. Creative materials will be provided. 

The following Friday, Oct. 13, the organization sponsors the Werk Witch Drag Show at 7 p.m. in the Otter Student Union Ballroom. Registration opens Oct. 6 and seating is limited. 

Steven Goings is a faculty member and counselor at the Personal Growth and Counseling Center and goes by a gender-neutral name, Quazar. They said it is important to recognize diversity during LGBTQ+ History Month. 

“As a trainer for the National Coalition Building Institute,” Quazar said, “one of our primary principles of welcoming diversity is the recognition that every group counts and every aspect of our multifaceted identities matter. Cultural heritage months such as LGBTQ+ History (October), Black History (February), Women's History (March) and many others, are opportunities to reflect on the many contributions made by members of these populations. It is also an opportunity to recognize the many injustices and hardships these groups have often endured and to celebrate their resilience.”  

This is especially true now, they said, when “forces of oppression and suppression are once again attempting to roll back hard-won advances and to criminalize our cultural customs (such as drag-shows), behaviors (such as same-sex affection, queer aesthetics, gender-defying norms) and identities (particularly trans and non-binary).

“CSUMB's commitment to inclusive excellence includes doing its best to ensure that our campus continues to support and celebrate its LGBTQ+ students and employees.”