Student Reflects on the Importance of National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day is a meaningful day for members of the LGBTQIA+ community at the University of New Haven and around the world. A member of the campus community writes about its significance, as well as the University's endeavors to educate the campus community.

October 11, 2019

Anonymous

National Coming Out Day occurs annually on October 11. It is an event that celebrates both people who have come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community and people who have yet to do so.

It is important to me because it helps to make the world a safer place to come out to. Many people don't understand why coming out is so significant in an LGBTQ+ person's life, so it is important to educate them about what it means.

At the University of New Haven, National Coming Out Day is an educational event, where people learn about the LGBTQ+ community and what it means to come out and be a good ally. This helps to combat homophobia and transphobia in day-to-day life.

"National Coming Out Day reminds people that we have a community that supports us and will accept us. It is a reminder that we should celebrate people who are out, and also keep people who are in the closet in our thoughts."

Throughout the day today, the Office of Residential Life, along with the PRIDE and SPECTRA student organizations, hosted a raising of the Progress PRIDE flag on campus and we tabled in Bartels to give people an opportunity to take a photo with our "coming out" door. We educated community members on how to be an ally for the LGBTQIA+ community and hosted our annual PRIDE Bash.

National Coming Out Day reminds people that we have a community that supports us and will accept us. It is a reminder that we should celebrate people who are out, and also keep people who are in the closet in our thoughts.

In short, National Coming Out Day is a way to give people in the LGBTQIA+ community support, acceptance, and love.