LGBTQ+ History Month events to build understanding and connection

Multiple groups from Luther College will participate in the annual Decorah Pride Parade and Party in the Park on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month in October, Luther College is hosting a keynote lecture exploring the intersections between the queer and disability communities, participating in Decorah Pride Week events and partnering with The Landing Market for a special meal.

“Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month reminds us that visibility, courage and community have an impact on lives,” said Adam Lenehan, interim advisor to the Luther College PRIDE student organization and assistant director of the Center for Academic Enrichment. “The stories we lift up this month show how far we’ve come — and how much work still lies ahead.”

All of these events are open to the public.

Coming Out Day will be honored on Friday, Oct. 10, with an all-day tabling event in the Dahl Centennial Union lobby, hosted by the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support (CIES) and the Luther College PRIDE student organization.

At 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, CIES, Luther PRIDE and The Landing Market will celebrate the trailblazers and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community through eats, education and engagement at The Landing Market, 211 College Drive. The cost is $10 per person; $5 for college students (with ID) attending any college or university, and for children 17 and younger. No reservations are needed.

Andrew Ives

At 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, Accessibility Services and CIES will host the LGBTQ+ History Month keynote lecture, “The Future Is Queer and Disabled,” in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall.

Speakers Andrew Ives, Ed.D., and Willem Van Roosenbeek will discuss language and share demographic changes within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and disability communities.

Ives is the director of the Disability Resource Center at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL). Van Roosenbeek serves as the director at UWL’s Pride Center.

“Both the queer and disability communities are defined by their resilience, unity, compassion and love — tools that we believe will be essential as we shape the future,” said Michelle Boike, assistant dean and director of CIES. “Luther College feels honored to have Andrew and Willem on campus to explore the intersections between LGBTQ+ identity and the disability identity.”

Willem Van Roosenbeek

One Decorah Pride Week event will feature Luther’s musical talent in concert: queerPOPERA’s “Queer Homecoming” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, at the Steyer Opera House, located above Hotel Winneshiek in downtown Decorah.

Directed by Paige Cameron, assistant director at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and directing fellow at Opera Saratoga, “Queer Homecoming” brings a bold and fresh vision to this unforgettable celebration. The concert will conclude with music by Driftless Jazz and a homecoming dance.

The mission of queerPOPERA, founded by Jaime Webb, guest lecturer in voice at Luther, is to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and stories through the expressive power of opera.

The Oct. 10 concert will feature Luther faculty and staff: Andrew Last, Carla Hanson, Jaime Webb, Jonathon Struve, Nicholas Shaneyfelt and Rachel Storlie. The student a cappella group UpTempo and alumni of the student dance organization Orchesis are also part of this event.

Additionally, multiple groups from Luther College will participate in the annual Decorah Pride Parade and Party in the Park on Saturday, Oct. 11. Please see Decorah Pride’s website for complete details.

“I hope Decorah residents will join us for the events happening on and around campus,” Lenehan said. “These moments of learning and celebration help us build understanding, connection and hope.”