Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender history month kicks off today.

To recognize the month, guest speaker Beth Loffreda, an author and professor from the University of Wyoming, will present “Losing Matt Shepard: Learning from Laramie” at 7 p.m. today at the Holmes Student Center’s Capitol Room.

Shepard was murdered in 1998 in Laramie, Wyo., because he was gay. Loffreda was the faculty adviser for the gay student organization when Shepard was killed. She published “Losing Matt Shepard: Life and Politics in the Aftermath of Anti-Gay Murder” two years later after interviewing students, townspeople, police officers, journalists, activists and politicians.

Margie Cook, coordinator for LGBT programs, believes the lecture will benefit anyone who attends.

“Although she’s part of LGBT history month, she’ll be interesting to everyone because she’s talking about issues that affect us all,” Cook said. “In particular, she’s addressing how hate, prejudice and intolerance can combine and result in violence.”

Loffreda’s lecture also will focus on what happened in Laramie after her book was published, as well as the play, “The Laramie Project,” which is about Shepard’s murder.

“I think this is a great way to kickoff LGBT history month,” junior English major Jay Wartenberg said.

In November, the NIU School of Theatre and Dance will present “The Laramie Project.”

“History month is a recognition of the community to emphasize the history of the LBGT community’s culture,” said Karen Frost, a senior communication major and co-president of PRISM.

Communication professor Robert Brookey will give a lecture entitled, “Normalizing Deborah Sampson Gannett” at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Holmes Student Center’s Illinois Room. Gannett dressed as a man and fought in the American Revolutionary War. Brookey will discuss Gannett as an American hero.

Other upcoming events for LGBT history month include PRISM’s Coming Out Day Dance, Movie Night, GayGlo Bowling, PRISM Halloween Dance and Poetry Night.

“The majority of the events this month are socially based so that the LGBT community can gain more visibility within NIU and LGBT students can be provided with a sense of community, which is the overall theme of this month,” Frost said.

For details on the upcoming events, visit www.niu.edu/lgbt/october.htm or call 753-LGBT.