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Amplifying Voices: Bowie State University and the Human Rights Campaign Lead the Way for LGBTQIA+ Inclusion

by: Mardline Prevot



 Gizmo in 2025

For the past three years, a powerful movement for LGBTQIA+ inclusion has been building on the campus of Bowie State University (BSU), the oldest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Maryland. This effort, in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), is more than just a collaboration; it's a testament to BSU's legacy of leadership, culminating in the establishment of the first LGBTQIA+ resource center at an HBCU.

The Power of Dreaming Out Loud

The movement is deeply personal for many, including the student leaders driving this change. The journey often begins with a personal awakening—a realization of difference that blossoms into freedom. This is the essence of #DreamOutLoud.

"It started with being a 13-year-old Haitian kid, realizing I was different," shares one of the event organizers. "It led to coming out at 17, and then finding my freedom at Bowie State University."

The impact of this journey extends beyond the individual. After attending the HRC HBCU Summit in 2022, student leaders were equipped with the knowledge and confidence to educate their own families, transforming personal advocacy into wider cultural change. Now, they are leading the charge to build community right where they found their freedom—at BSU.

Celebrating HBCU Out Loud Day: Part 2

We are excited to announce the continuation of this tradition with Part 2 of HBCU Out Loud Day, which will be held next Wednesday, October 22nd, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This event marks the third time the celebration has been hosted on campus, and it is a proud collaboration with BSU Multicultural Programs and Services and the BSU ATOD Prevention Center.

This year's event is a celebration of the journey toward living one’s full self and building a legacy of acceptance and pride at BSU. The day is also about listening to the community. Student leaders recently met with key campus partners and took the opportunity to capture voices, asking students to share how they #DreamOutLoud on campus.

Destroy the Illusion

The work of inclusion is an ongoing commitment to authenticity. Part of this commitment means confronting the narratives and expectations that hold us back. As one of the movement's leaders put it, today's work is a decision "to not only respect myself and character but to walk away from an illusion."

This powerful sentiment has inspired a new call to action: "Destroy the Illusion." It's a message of self-respect, clarity, and empowerment for the entire community.





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