October is LGBT History Month—an annual observance of the histories, cultures, and contributions of LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
And queer history is our history.
This October, departments and student organizations across campus are centering queer and trans joy, histories, and experiences through their educational events, social gatherings, and discussions.
Here, we've created a one-stop shop to find what's happening on campus for LGBT History Month.
Events across campus
Help us co-create this calendar by submitting your event. Posted events will also receive access to a special commemorative LGBT History Month badge they can append to their marketing materials.
EVENTS
Film Sampler: Stonewall Uprising
Sept 21, 2026 | 6:00-9:00 pm
Helmut Stern Auditorium | University of Michigan Museum of Art | 525 S. State St
Sponsored by UMMA & LSA Film, Television, and Media, and Spectrum Center
Watch a screening of Stonewall Uprising (2010, 90min), followed by a Talk Back with Clare Croft and Umayyah Cable.
When police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City on June 28, 1969, the street erupted into violent protests that lasted for the next six days. The Stonewall riots, as they came to be known, marked a major turning point in the modern gay civil rights movement in the United States and around the world.
These screenings are free and open to the public, no registration or ticket required.
Film Sampler is a series of film screenings focused on themes of protest and resistance.
★ LGBT HISTORY MONTH KICKOFF
LGBT History Month Film Festival
October 1, 2026 | 5:00-7:30 pm
State Theatre 2
Sponsored by Spectrum Center and LSA Film, Television, and Media
Showcasing the remarkable talents and stories of filmmakers, this year Spectrum Center is kicking off LGBT History Month with a film festival highlighting LGBTQIA2S+ experiences and storytelling through cinema. Guests can look forward to breathtaking performances and an insightful Q&A with the film’s directors. Enjoy free popcorn and trivia related to the historical timeline of queer and trans experiences in filmmaking. This event is free but registration is required.
This event is open to all members of the U-M community.
OUTx
October 8, 2026 | 5:30-6:45 pm
Tauber Colloquium at Ross School of Business
Sponsored by Out for Business at Ross
OUTx is an annual TED-style storytelling event celebrating the voices and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. Ross students will take the stage to share personal stories about identity, belonging, resilience, and the experiences that have shaped them.
Spectrum Center 55th Anniversary Gayla Event & Belonging Project Launch
October 10, 2026 | 7:00-10:00 pm
Sponsored by Spectrum Center
A ticketed opening celebration of the 55th anniversary year with dancing, live performances, and the introduction of The Spectrum Center Belonging Project, a photo exhibit showcasing how Spectrum Center creates a sense of belonging.
*This event is invitation only.
LGBTea x CommuniTEA
October 13, 2026 | 12:00-2:00 pm
Trotter Multicultural Center
Sponsored by Trotter/MESA and Spectrum Center
Sip, spill, or just chill—we're taking a break! Bookmark your spot, close that laptop, and join us at Spectrum Center for some LGBTea in partnership with Trotter/MESA's weekly CommuniTEA event. Relax with some tabletop and Switch games, activities, community, and more. Then leave recharged and ready to take on the rest of your day. Your body and mind will thank you later.
LGBTQ Center Awareness Day Open House
October 15, 2026 | 2:00-4:30 pm
Michigan Union, Spectrum Center (3020)
Sponsored by Spectrum Center
LGBT Center Awareness Day is a national day of action focused on awareness around the work of LGBT community centers everywhere. Join Spectrum Center for our Center Awareness Day Open House. Learn about the center, meet the staff team, get connected with other students, get resources, play games, get prizes, and enjoy light refreshments. Never been to the center? This is a great time to visit for the first time!
Pronouns 101—International Pronouns Day
October 21, 2026 | 10:00 am -12:00 pm
Michigan Union, 2210 ABCD
Sponsored by Spectrum Center
Spectrum Center's Pronouns 101 workshop is for U-M faculty, staff, and students. In this 2-hour workshop on the basics of pronouns and their usage, participants will have the chance to practice using different sets of pronouns and work on bystander intervention skills.
Open Mic Night
October 22, 2026 | 7:00-10:00 pm
The Keene Theater
Sponsored by the RC Players, N.E.R.D.S, and Spectrum Center
Open mic performances, LGBTQIA+ history trivia, and snacks!
Putting the Ace In Sex Ed webinar
October 28, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Virtual
Registration and Details coming soon.
Interactive timeline: Queer history at U-M
Explore key moments from the 1960s to present day—from advocacy to action, policies to people, and queer conferences to court cases.
View photos, watch videos, and take a tour through time in our new interactive timeline.
Download our marketing toolkit
With U-M login, student organizations and schools, departments, and units can download and use our pre-designed LGBT History Month marketing toolkit, which includes:
- slides for your building's digital signage
- social media graphics
Slides are also available for units in the U-M Digital Signage Community Content Feed.