Making Change | Identity Months in the Fall Semester

Identity and awareness months allow communities to learn about the culture, history, and experiences of communities that are oftentimes underrepresented. As students, this gives us a chance to step outside what we know, challenge assumptions, and learn more about the people around us. Celebrating does not require you to personally identify with the community represented. Learning, listening, and attending events allow people to engage with new perspectives and create a more connected community. 

Here is a little more about each month and some tips to celebrate.

September

Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 – October 15

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history and culture of hispanic/latino communities in the United States. It begins in the middle of the month because September 15 marks the anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua’s independence day, while Mexico celebrates theirs on September 16. It is unique because it is a 31-day celebration that spans over two months. 

Ways to Celebrate:

• Find Latin-owned restaurants to try in your area.
• Discover music from Latino artists from different countries.
• Watch movies or read books by Hispanic authors or directors.
• Learn about social challenges people in the Hispanic community face.

Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Awareness

September is also Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and includes recovery-related observances. This month can provide an opportunity to talk about checking in with friends, reducing stigma, and knowing where to find help. While suicide prevention is a challenging topic, striving for positive mental health can serve as a focus point this month and a chance to learn.

Ways to Acknowledge:

• Asking friends and family how they are really feeling and listening.
• Take behavior changes seriously.
• Learn ways to connect with resources if you or someone in your life may need it
• Remember being a supportive friend does not mean being a counselor.

To learn more about on-campus resources, please visit Counseling Services.

October

LGBTQ+ History Month 

LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated each October to recognize the history, contributions, and experiences of LGBTQ+ people and communities. It is an opportunity to learn about important events, individuals, and milestones that have shaped LGBTQ+ rights and culture. The month also highlights the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of representation.

Facts About LGBTQ+ History Month:

• This month began as an educational initiative rather than a celebration.
• October 11 is National Coming Out Day because it commemorates the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights in 1987.
• Pride Month and LGBTQ+ History Month have different purposes: June is generally associated with Pride, and October focuses particularly on history and education.
• Like Hispanic Heritage Month, you can celebrate by learning about historical figures, reading books or watching content by LGBTQ+ creators, and learning about how LGBTQ+ pride can be celebrated through symbols and local celebrations.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities and raises awareness about disability employment. It dates back to 1945, when the observance began as a week recognizing people with physical disabilities. Congress expanded it into the current month-long observance in 1988. The U.S. Department of Labor celebrates with a theme each year, and 2026 is Celebrating Value and Talent.

What to Know:

• Disability isn’t always visible. Accessibility isn’t only about ramps and elevators, and it can include technology, communication, workplace practices, and event design. 
  Intentional steps can be taken to support people with disabilities, such as adding captions when creating videos, using readable fonts and sufficient contrast in presentations, and learning more about accessibility features in your phone or technology you use each day.

November

Native American Heritage Month

November is National Native American Heritage Month, which recognizes the history, cultures, traditions, and contributions of American Native peoples. The observance was established as a national month by Congress in 1990. The month recognizes hundreds of distinct tribal nations and communities, rather than one single Indigenous culture. Indigenous languages, art, food, music, and traditions continue today and are not simply a part of the past

Ways to Celebrate & Participate

• Learn about the Indigenous history of Massachusetts.
• Read work by a Native American author.
• Visit a museum or cultural institution.
• Learn about a tribal nation you don’t know about.
• Support Native artists and creators.

Hunger & Food Insecurity Awareness Month

November is also a natural time to talk about food insecurity. Food insecurity isn’t necessarily the same thing as homelessness or having absolutely no food and is a more common problem than you think. A student might have food but regularly have to choose between groceries, transportation, textbooks, bills, or other necessities.

Ways to Support On-Campus Hunger Initiatives:

• Donate to your campus food pantry or one in your city
• Discuss the food pantry and food insecurity resources to break the stigma.
• Find out what pantries provide other than food (hygiene products or school supplies are common additions to food that are available for students)

Learn more about Thea’s Pantry.