“Come Out Come Out, Wherever You Are” is this year’s theme for National Coming Out Week sponsored by the University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Queer Alliance.
The week of events, beginning today, honors National Coming Out Day. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Web site, this year’s theme is “Come Out. Speak Out. Vote.” The organization encourages gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans to talk to their families and friends about their lives.
“This day is about coming together in large numbers, recognizing our strength and validating our own and each other’s life experience,” LGBTQA Co-Directors Crystal M. Cathcart and John Correa said in an e-mail interview.
The week’s events begin today with a coming out rally from 1 to 3 p.m. in the EMU Amphitheater. At the rally, speakers from LGBTQA will share their own coming out
stories. The rally will also host organizations such as the HIV Alliance, The Women’s Center, and LGBTQA sub-groups: Bi and Beyond, a group for those attracted to more than one gender, and Fusion, a group for gay people of color.
“National Coming Out Day is a day of empowerment, a day to be proud of every part of oneself, specifically one’s sexuality,” Cathcart and Correa said in the e-mail. “It is a day to celebrate diversity. It is also about community.”
Today’s events will end with a coming out dance from 8 to 11 p.m. in the EMU Fishbowl. Cathcart and Correa encourage community
members to “come get your groove on and meet awesome people.”
The LGBTQA holds a weekly general meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the group’s office, 34 EMU. The meeting is a chance to get to know people on a more personal level, according to Cathcart and Correa. Guest speakers will address legal rights and safety on campus. In addition, the group will be holding a volunteer orientation following the meeting at 7 p.m.
“We would love any and all LGBTQA folks and allies to volunteer,” Cathcart and Correa said.
Cathcart and Correa said they hope the events will positively affect all students who attend and increase understanding because “so much discrimination is rooted in a lack of understanding.”
LGBTQA has also arranged a movie night for Wednesday; people will meet at 8 p.m. in 34 EMU and carpool to $1-movie night at Gateway Mall. It will also host a Thursday game night and people can play pool from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“Our game night and our movie night give people yet another chance to meet and mingle in a safe and accepting space,” Cathcart and Correa said.
Although National Coming Out Week will give members of the LGBTQA an opportunity to talk about issues affecting them, as a University organization the group cannot take a stance on political issues such as Measure 36 which is on the ballot in the upcoming elections. The measure calls for a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
However, Cathcart and Correa said many people affiliated with their office do feel strongly about the issue and many have volunteered with the No on 36 Campaign.
“Hopefully, our events in honor of National Coming Out Day will have an effect on voter turnout and on people’s political views,” Cathcart and Correa said, adding that they hope people will choose to vote with their hearts and out of a place of love and respect for everyone.
Cathcart and Correa said they hope all students will come and show their support.
“Today, and in the year ahead, the LGBTQA will continue to make the University a safer space in which people feel comfortable coming out,” they said.

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