Angela Messerli, a senior psychology and women’s studies major, told some friends during her freshman year of college that she was bisexual. She told her family last year.
On Tuesday afternoon, she came out of the closet again. This time, friends joined Messerli, and the “closet” was a brightly painted doorway in the EMU Amphitheater decorated with the words: “Come out, speak out, be proud.”
Messerli, a co-director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Alliance, was one of several students who walked through the “coming out closet” during a celebration of National Coming Out Day in the EMU Amphitheater Tuesday.
The celebration featured booths with information about coming out, music, free popcorn and an open mic that invited people to share their stories about coming out.
“We’re here to support people coming out,” said Chicora Martin, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Educational and Support Services Program.
Tara Allred, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues Coordinator for the ASUO Women’s Center, snapped Polaroid pictures of people walking through the closet door.
Current political and religious climates make it important for the queer community to come out now, Allred said.
“Bigotry and hatred won’t stop until people realize that they know someone in the LGBTQ community and that they’re just like everyone else,” she said.
Several events, such as a dance and social, will continue through the week.
The events are an opportunity to celebrate being gay, Messerli said.
Messerli, who had no support network when she came out as a freshman, said she hopes to provide support for other people coming out.
“The more people who come out as queer or as allies, the safer and more welcoming it feels,” Martin said.
People can be allies of the LGBTQ community by being supportive and addressing homophobia and discrimination, Martin said.
Student services such as the Women’s Center and UO Cultural Forum, came to support the event.
This is the 11th year celebrating National Coming Out Day at the University, Martin said.
Oct. 11 was commemorated as National Coming Out Day after half a million people marched in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11, 1987, to support lesbian and gay rights.
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