During October, we celebrated LGBTQ History and Filipino American History Months, communities whose civic, cultural, and economic contributions are seen and felt throughout the U.S.—their histories are American history. As we gained a better understanding of these groups through various articles and resources, we wanted to reflect on the intersecting issues affecting them to drive conversations and reflections within our team and to better inform our work and practice as search professionals.
Resources we are finding especially relevant and informative this October are:
Filipino American History Month commemorates the arrival of the first Filipinos in the U.S. at Morro Bay, California in 1587—33 years before the Puritans landed at Plymouth Rock. This heritage month highlights the contributions and resilience of Filipino Americans, from historical figures like Antonio Miranda Rodriguez, one of the individuals chosen to establish what would become Los Angeles, to more recent icons like labor activist Larry Itliong and singer Olivia Rodrigo. This year’s theme was “Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity, and Resilience,” reflecting the challenges Filipino Americans have faced and their success in overcoming adversity throughout history. With 4.2 million Filipino Americans in the U.S., this month encourages us to learn and celebrate Filipino heritage all year long.
LEAD Filipino, a nonprofit organization based in San Jose, CA, is dedicated to increasing Filipino American representation in public leadership through cultural and educational initiatives. Grounded in social justice since its founding in 2015, the organization engages in civic innovation, culturally responsive education, and grassroots leadership development to empower the community. Its programs include community-based campaigns, cultural events, and partnerships that address social justice, civil rights, and economic empowerment. Additionally, as part of the Filipinx Igniting Engagement for Reimagining Collective Empowerment (FIERCE) Coalition, LEAD Filipino advocates for specific causes like ethnic studies, housing affordability, mental health, and public safety across California.
This blog from GLAAD, one of the leading nonprofit organizations focused on LGBTQ+ advocacy, highlighted important icons during LGBTQ History Month. The month-long observance and celebration was founded in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a gay history teacher from rural Missouri, and declared a national history month by President Obama in 2009. The month also coincides with National Coming Out Day that is celebrated every October 11, and commemorates important marches on Washington for LGBTQ+ rights that occurred in 1979 and 1987. Learning about role models like the ones featured in this blog helps build community and uplifts the invaluable contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
WID, an organization dedicated to designing, building, and supporting solutions for whole community inclusion, sheds light on how LGBTQIA+ and disabled individuals often share experiences of hiding their identities due to safety concerns, discrimination, and fear of social isolation. Furthermore, cultural, institutional, and systemic factors increase LGBTQIA+ individuals’ propensity to have disabilities. The LGBTQIA+ disabled activists and advocates in this WID blog are uplifting these intersecting challenges and using their platforms to support collective liberation.
