“It gives a sense of community, a sense of togetherness to know that they aren’t alone in this,” said Wright State student Meghan Murphy, describing the purpose of Coming Out Week.
Coming Out Week will include a celebrated lineup of events that are intended to foster community within the LGBTQA community and show support for those who are considering revealing their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Coming Out Week kicked off with the Coming Out Door Signing on Monday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. by the Union Market. The door signing allowed people to write encouraging notes for members of the LGBTQA community on a closet door.
“Every year we paint it a different color of the rainbow, which is our pride flag and students, family members and friends they all come down and write positive notes on this door and every year we paint over the notes,” said President of Rainbow Alliance Khadija Kirksey. “We don’t get rid of the notes, we just paint over them, so it’s just layers and layers of good vibes, strong words to support coming out of the closet.”
The Rainbow Alliance’s annual Pride Rally will be held on Wednesday Oct. 9, from noon to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Atrium and will offer food and a set of speakers including Kirksey and other members of the LGBTQA community sharing poetry, fiction or personal accounts that fall into one of six categories.
“We’re [organizing] it by color,” said Elizabeth Schoppelrei, vice president of Rainbow Alliance and event coordinator for the Pride Rally. “Red is signifying love and relationships, Orange is day in the gay, Yellow is going to be coming out, Green is growth in the community, Blue is oppression and Violet will be for Allies. So, under each title… the members will have the chance to submit something in writing and can present something they have submitted.”
The Rainbow Alliance is conclude Coming Out Week with a trip to The Neon to see “The Happy Sad,” a movie that will be shown as a part of the Dayton LGBT Film Festival on Sunday, October 13 at 5:15 p.m.
Meghan Murphy, a senior English literature major, believes that these events are really beneficial for those in the LGBTQA community.
“For those that aren’t fortunate enough to have a support system, they can help you find a core group to find acceptance and to learn to love yourself,” Murphy said.
