The Origins of LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBTQ+ History Month started when teacher Rodney Wilson decided he wanted to educate his students about the legacy of the LGBTQ+ community in 1994. October was chosen because of the second march on Washington for Gay and Lesbian rights, which was later celebrated as National Coming Out Day.

NC State’s Pride Center celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month annually in October with a lineup of educational and celebratory events open to the entire campus community. The featured event, PrideFest, unites colleges and departments across the university to show Pack pride during an afternoon of belonging and festivities.

Headline Event: PrideFest (Oct. 6)

PrideFest Parade

• Tuesday, Oct. 6, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (convene at Wolf Plaza by 1:00 p.m.)
• Join us at Wolf Plaza at 12:30 p.m. to design posters. Arrive by 1:00 p.m. to ensure your participation in the parade, which will follow an accessible route throughout NC State’s main campus. If you can’t make it that early, cheer us on at one of our designated Rally and Refresh cheering locations with a sign, a pride flag, or other rainbow gear! Attendees will be welcomed back to Stafford Commons with the festival and lawn party featuring food, games, and community resources from across campus and beyond.
• Special perk: Parade participants who are at Wolf Plaza no later than 1:00 p.m. are prioritized for food tickets for the lawn party!
• Who can join in? Anyone! Students, faculty, and staff across campus are all invited, as well as general community members.

PrideFest Lawn Party

• Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2:30-5:30 p.m. at Stafford Commons
• PrideFest is an annual celebration of the NC State LGBTQ+ community and all are welcome! Each year, the LGBTQ Pride Center unites colleges and departments across campus to show our Pack Pride. Join us for an afternoon of belonging and festivities featuring food, games, and community resources from across campus and beyond.
• Who can join in? Anyone! Students, faculty, and staff across campus are all invited, as well as general community members.

Featured Events (2026)

Inner Wolf Vibe Check

• Friday, Sept. 25, 11:00 am-2:00 p.m. at Stafford Commons
• Inner Wolf Vibe Check is a mental health resource fair dedicated to helping students reconnect, recharge and reflect. Come explore wellness resources, meet campus representatives and find tools to support your whole self while embracing your inner strength and enjoying free food, giveaways and raffle prizes. The Pride Center will be present tie-dyeing t-shirts for PrideFest.

Parade Poster Making

• Wednesday, Sept. 30, 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Pride Center, Talley 5230
• Bring your creativity, and we’ll provide the supplies! Join us for poster making in preparation for the PrideFest Parade on Oct. 6.

Clothing Donations Accepted

• Oct. 2-23 in the Pride Center (Talley 5230)
• The Pride Center is accepting donations of lightly worn, freshly washed clothes between Oct. 2 and 23. During the clothing swap on Nov. 3, you can sort through the donations we’ve received and pick out clothing that resonates with you.

Visualization Gallery PrideFest Exhibit

• Thursdays, Oct. 1, 8, and 15, 12:00-5:00 p.m. in D.H. Hill Jr. Library, Cyma Rubin Visualization Gallery, Room 3208A
• The annual PrideFest Exhibit is an immersive presentation hosted by the LGBTQ Pride Center and NC State University Libraries. The exhibit celebrates pride by highlighting LGBTQ+ history, stories, and accomplishments.

Sex in the Dark

• Tuesday, Oct. 13, 5:30-8:00 p.m. in the SLE Suite (Talley 4210)
• Participants can anonymously ask a panel of sex-perts questions about sex, sexuality or relationships or listen and learn. Snacks, drinks and glowsticks will be available. To pay homage to the event’s name and so guests can be anonymous, this event will be held in a dimly lit ballroom to encourage participants to ask their questions bravely.
• The Sexual Health Resources Fair will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the Sex in the Dark program will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Queer Quorum

• Thursday, Oct. 22, 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Pride Center
• Queer Quorum opens up the LGBTQ Pride Center to a variety of intersectional, student-picked discussion topics. Undergraduate students choose the month’s Queer Quorum topic and lead participants in thought-provoking discussion.

Cooking Class: Pride Chefs

• Friday, Oct. 23 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in the Teaching Kitchen in Carmichael Gym
• Join the LGBTQ Pride Center and campus dietitian Soo Uhm at the campus teaching kitchen to sharpen your cooking skills alongside other students. Registration is required to participate in the workshop and is capped at 15 students. If you haven’t been to the campus teaching kitchen before, meet in front of Talley Student Union across from the Carmichael Gym at 5:50 p.m.
  

Rainbow Reading: Thriller, Horror & Romance

• Tuesday, Oct. 27, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
• More information to come

Sip & Savor: Halloween Edition

• Friday, Oct. 30, 12-2 p.m.
• Join us for an open conversation with Pride Center staff and fellow students! Sip on something warm, share your thoughts, and help shape our community. This is a space to bring ideas, concerns, and feedback, or to just come connect and listen

LGBTQ+ History at NC State