Lambda Society

The Lambda Society is an LGBTQ+ RSO that celebrates unity, diversity and equality for all students. On Oct. 1, the RSO met and discussed Louisiana queer history. One of the topics reviewed was LGBTQ+ Mardi Gras balls, where a king and queen would be announced. The court differed from typical kings and queens because the ‘queen’ would be a man in drag.

The club examined the 1973 fire at the UpStairs Lounge in the New Orleans French Quarter. No one truly knows what happened at the queer bar because the police never investigated.

Lambda also discussed New York’s first LGBTQ+ TV show, “Just for the Record.” The meetings discussed gay activist Blanchard “Skip” Ward’s story. Ward, a resident of Alexandria, focused on bringing attention to religious and rural members of the community about queer rights. Ward joined the Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Clause (LAGPAC), which focused on attaining legal and social equality for Louisiana’s gender and sexual minorities. He co-founded a gay humanistic group in Shreveport called “La Beau Monde,” the first organization tailored to its queer population. 

“Whether you’re queer or an ally, the RSO creates a sense of community. Everyone’s learning from each other and building themselves up to be a better person,” senior biology major and vice president of Lambda Society Agnes Ugokwe said. “Lambda offers a space for anyone to come as they are without the fear of being judged.”

Join the Lambda Society to celebrate National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, or contact Ugokwe at [email protected] for more information about the club.