Northeastern Illinois University welcomes Channyn Lynne Parker for LGBTQIA+ History Month 2026

Northeastern Illinois University is proud to celebrate LGBTQIA+ History Month throughout the month of October. The month recognizes the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual people, as well as those who identify as other non-cisgender and non-straight identities.

The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs has coordinated an open mic event titled “My Story, My Pace, A National Coming Out Day Gathering,” which will be held in the Pedroso Center (Main Campus in Building B, Room B 159) on Friday, Oct. 9, from 1-3 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. 

The event will feature Channyn Lynne Parker, an advocate and leader in Chicago's LGBTQIA+ community. Parker is currently the CEO of Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and most effective advocacy organization dedicated to defending the rights of LGBTQ+ Illinoisans. She is the first Black transgender woman to lead the organization in its 35-year history. In 2024, she was inducted into The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame for her years of service, significant policy engagement and commitment to the well-being and protecting the rights of underrepresented populations.

“LGBTQIA+ History Month is important because everyone — especially our students — deserves opportunities to see their identities, histories, joy and communities reflected,” said Pedroso Center Associate Director of Latinx Student Engagement Danny Cortez. 

Additionally, NEIU Libraries has created a virtual display of ebooks, streaming media and online collections. The featured collection is HeinOnline’s LGBTQ+ Rights Collection, which documents the history of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, including the development of the gay rights movement, legal and social change and ongoing inequalities. Students, faculty and staff can request materials from the library to learn more about the cultural significance of this month, recognize important moments in the history of LGBTQ+ people and celebrate their important roles in creating the social, legal and political world we live in today.

“I hope that this month creates spaces where our community feels seen, supported and reminded that they belong at NEIU,” Cortez said. 

The full listing of events open to the University community can be found on the LGBTQ+ History Month webpage. 

Top photo: A headshot photo of Channyn Lynne Parker.