National Coming Out Day 2022
Every year on National Coming Out Day, we celebrate coming out as LGBTQ+, Two Spirit, Same Gender Loving, or any of the myriad diverse identities of folks who feel affiliated with these communities. This year will mark the 33rd anniversary of National Coming Out Day, and during a time of renewed movement to silence LGBTQ+ voices, this day continues to be a reminder that one of the community's most basic tools of power is coming out.
As an act of resilience, we want National Coming Out Day 2022 to be all about being seen and heard: we are HERE and we are QUEER, and we’re not going anywhere! The LGBTQ Center will be taking over the Pit on Tuesday, October 11th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, where we’ll have LGBTQ-inspired games, rainbow-themed food, free Pride merch, giveaways, displays on queer history, and public resources for our queer and questioning community. Please note that attendance at this event is not limited to students! Faculty, staff, local community members, friends, found family – everyone is welcome to come out and unapologetically take up space on National Coming Out Day. After the festivities in the Pit wind down, we will be packing up and moving to the Great Hall to host your NCOD evening event: Take Back the Mic!
"Take Back the Mic!” is our evening event on National Coming Out Day where folks in the community can celebrate who they are through creative expression and artistic showcases. Participants are welcome to sing, dance, perform a comedy routine, recite spoken word, play an instrument – anything they can think of! – to bring sight, sound, awareness, and emotion to 2SLGBTQIA+ identities in all their diversity. The event will take place from 7:00 to 10:00 PM in the Great Hall, with breaks throughout to grab refreshments and socialize. If you are interested in doing an expression piece, there’s still time to sign up, but act fast! You will need to submit your expression piece application by October 7th at 11:59 PM to secure a time slot for this event. Please note that anyone can attend Take Back the Mic! without showcasing an expression piece, but expressionists will not be able to participate if they do not submit their application by the October 7th deadline.
Coming out is not always safe for everyone, and it's certainly not easy. It's also not something we only have to do once and never again: it is something we will have to do continuously throughout our lives as we meet new people, make new friends, and connect with ourselves in different ways. Whether or not you are ready to be out, this day is made to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ identities in all their forms, and we hope to see everyone show up to express solidarity and support for the whole community.