National Coming Out Day, founded in 1988 by Dr. Robert Eichberg and the late Jean O’Leary, is observed on October 11th every year in this country. The concept of “Coming out” – a colloquialism for “coming out of the closet” and announcing to family, friends and co-workers that you are gay – has evolved. Not only do bisexuals and transgender people “come out” on October 11th along with gays, but National Coming Out Day (NCOD) has become an international celebration, with people all over the world celebrating their sexual and gender identity in a spirit of openness, honesty and visibility.
This year, the NCOD celebration also marks the 20th anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Equality. The March, demonstration and rally also included the first public display of Cleve Jones’ Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. At the time, many people who died of AIDS-related causes were stigmatized. Some mortuaries and funeral homes refused to provide services and without a memorial service or grave site, The Quilt was often the only opportunity survivors had to memorialize, celebrate and remember their loved ones’ lives.
California State University Long Beach will demonstrate the university’s commitment to its diverse student population by expanding NCOD to include a full week of public education events beginning Monday, October 8th and culminating on Thursday, October 11th.
The CSULB Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center will sponsor events every day. One of the highlights this week will be a panel discussion on Tuesday, October 9th entitled, “Coming Out of the Closet” REDEFINED: The Impact of Race, Class, Gender Identity, and Religion on Discussions about LGBT Identity. A multiracial group of panelists from diverse class, gender identity, and religious backgrounds will challenge traditional assumptions about “coming out of the closet” as LGBT. Each will discuss from personal and professional experience how factors like race, gender identity, and religion can affect sexual identity development and the decision to share one’s LGBT identity.
The purpose of this week-long event is to support the academic and extracurricular success of all students, and ensure the campus climate is supportive of all students.
The National Coming Out Week schedule at CSULB follows:
Monday, October 8
1:00 – 02:30 pm – Presentation: “Safe and Sexy”: Healthy Sexual Relationships in College (USU 305)
Tuesday, October 9
1:00 – 02:30 pm – Panel Presentation: “Coming Out of the Closet”
REDEFINED: The Impact of Race, Class, Gender Identity, and Religion on Discussions about LGBT Identity (USU Ballroom A)
Wednesday, October 10
1:00 – 03:00 pm – Film Screening and Discussion: “God and Gays” (USU Ballroom A)
3:00 – 04:00 pm – Workshop: Out at Work – Job Search and Workplace Issues for LGBT and Ally Students (Career Development Center)
Thursday, October 11
12:00 – 02:00 pm – Student Open Microphone and Community Resource Fair (Speakers’ Platform and Friendship Walk)
OUTlist 2007 published in campus newspaper, listing names of LGBT and ally students, staff, faculty, and alumni.