Thursday marks National Coming Out Day, but rather than confining the festivities to Oct. 11, the University is instead celebrating Coming Out Week.
“I think that there’s a number of different challenges that this population of students faces,” said Cathlene McGraw, an assistant for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Educational and Support Services Program and a 2003 University graduate. “By providing a big visual event that’s supportive, I think that’s really important.”
“Students come from all over,” added University student Quinn Robinson, co-director of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Alliance. “Depending on where they come from, having Coming Out Week may give them the sense that there’s this tolerance and safety.”
Coming Out Week, organized by LGBTQA and LGBTESSP, kicked off Monday afternoon with a social, where LGBT students, staff and faculty, and their allies were invited to meet each other in the Gerlinger Lounge. Immediately following was LGBTQA’s weekly open meeting where people discussed the politics of coming out, while sharing their personal stories.
Tuesday morning, LGBTESSP is setting up a lunch in the Women’s Center Lounge to mark the first meeting of the new LGBTQ and Ally Faculty/Staff Network.
That night, in partnership with Count Me In, LGTEESP will present 1980s cartoons in both the Riley and Living Learning Center lounges.
Started last year, Count Me In is a collaborative campaign between the Diversity Outreach Team and University Housing to create a respectful and inclusive community in the residence halls.
“The cartoons is a more low-key event where the focus is on being around each other, not necessarily on cultural and LGBT identity,” McGraw said.
Wednesday will bring a public speaking training session, as well as LGBTQA’s informal coffee night at Espresso Roma, one of co-director Zade Taylor’s favorite traditions.
To celebrate the official Coming Out Day Thursday, LGBTQA is organizing a rally in the EMU Amphitheater.
“It’s just a time for people to come talk about coming out and have a public venue,” Taylor said. “It’s empowering to know that you’re creating a space and to know that students are able to come out.”
Taylor added that a colorful doorway will be set up so students can literally come out.
McGraw fondly remembers the annual rally from her time as a student.
“I remember sitting in the amphitheater and thinking that one day, I’d like to be brave enough to put programs like that together and be OK with who I was,” she said. “As a Student Affairs person, it’s awesome to watch students go through that process.”
Several years ago, two female students were heckled while holding hands at Skate World in Springfield. In response, LGBTESSP started the annual Come Out and Skate Party.
“I really enjoyed skate night (last year) and was glad to have it happen again,” Taylor said.
Friday afternoon, Keith Boykin, the highest-ranking openly gay aide in the Clinton administration, will be giving a talk in the EMU Ballroom.
Boykin helped organize the country’s first meeting between a president in office and LGBT community leaders. As a gay African American, his speech will be centered around bridging race and sexual orientation.
Coming Out Week will wrap up Friday night with a dance in the EMU’s Fir Room.
Having only been involved with LGBTQA since last winter, Robinson has been looking forward to Coming Out Week.
“I did just start as staff in this office so it’s my first big event,” he said. “I am definitely excited about Coming Out Week.”
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