ODU Gay Cultural Studies

06/01/2026

Happy Pride 🏳️‍🌈 We're kicking off Pride Month by celebrating q***r joy at ODU! On April 29, Professor Cathleen Rhodes and Dr. Ruth Osorio attended the Lavender Horizons ceremony, which recognizes graduating LGBTQ+ students and allies for their achievements and contributions to the ODU community.

Among those honored were Isabella Gensler, who graduated this spring, and Kenny Wilcox, who will graduate in December. Both have made significant contributions to documenting and preserving local q***r history. Also attending was Kelsey Updike, a current Women's and Gender Studies major and Q***r Studies minor.

We are so proud of you!

Tidewater Q***r History Project
ODU Gay Cultural Studies

06/01/2026

04/08/2026

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02/14/2026

02/14/2026

Last night, the ODU community gathered for an inspiring lecture by writer, designer, educator, artist, brand consultant, and Design Matters podcast host Debbie Millman.

The event is part of Q***r’D: Works by Contemporary LGBTQ Graphic Designers, on view through February 21, 2026, at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries. The exhibition and lecture together highlight the expansive possibilities of q***r design and the importance of representation across creative fields.

Co-sponsors—ODU Gay Cultural Studies, the Department of Art Visiting Artist Fund, and the Institute for the Humanities.

02/10/2026

Join us this Thursday, February 12, at 6pm for a lecture by writer, designer, educator, artist, brand consultant and host of the podcast Design Matters, Debbie Millman. Debbie has been named “one of the most creative people in business” by Fast Company.

This event is part of Q***r’D: Works by Contemporary LGBTQ Graphic Designers, which is open until February 21, 2026, at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries.

The lecture is free and open to everyone. ODU's Education Building is on the corner of Hampton Boulevard and 43rd Street. Plentiful and convenient pay-to-park parking can be found in the parking garages on 45th and 43rd Streets.

Thank you to co-sponsors: ODU Gay Cultural Studies, the Department of Art Visiting Artist Fund, and the Institute for the Humanities.

05/10/2025

Congratulations to the 2025 Q***r Studies graduates! We wish you well as you conclude one chapter today, and we can’t wait to hear what you do next! It has been an honor to work with you and to know you. 🧑‍🎓 🎉 👨‍🎓 🎉 👩‍🎓

05/05/2025

Here is a sneak peek at this year's Q***r Norfolk -- a comics anthology created by ODU Q***r Literature students. For this service learning project, students create original comics that explore local LGBTQ history. We have a limited number of printed copies and will be handing them out at tomorrow's launch party. Please join us! Details: May 6, 1PM - 3PM, ODU's Batten Arts and Letters Building, Room 9024. Convenient hourly parking is available just across the street in the 43rd and 45th Street parking garages.

12/18/2024

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This course explores the intersections of gender, race, class and sexuality within society. Students will learn histories and nuances of topics such as intersectionality, allyship, and cultural appropriation.