To celebrate National Coming Out Week, the LGBTA Student Resource Center and other student groups will host events to encourage students to "Stand Up. Stand Out. Stand Together" this week.
This year's theme represents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students' desire to stand out on their own and to come together as a community, said Steve Lucas, events and programming intern at the LGBTA Student Resource Center.
"It's not only about being unique, but about solidarity and standing up for each other," Lucas (junior-English) said.
This week's programming will feature events every day beginning today and running through Sunday, including film screenings, socials, political forums, a rally and a student drag show.
"It's a time for the LGBT and ally community to celebrate and to have educational programs that the entire campus community can go to enjoy," said Allison Subasic, director of the LGBTA resource center.
The programs vary widely, dealing with issues from diversity within the LGBT community to religion and spirituality and even legal questions, she said.
Students are encouraged to come out if they have not done so yet. After students give speeches at Wednesday's annual rally at Old Main, the stage will be open to people who want to express themselves, sometimes doing so by announcing their sexuality or proclaiming their support of LGBT friends or family members.
Coming out is not required though, Subasic said.
"Unfortunately there are still many people in Pennsylvania and around the world who are not able to come out," she said, adding because of pressure from their family and community or even threats of violence, the freedom to be open about one's sexuality is a luxury many people don't enjoy.
After the rally, the week's keynote speaker, artist Adelina Anthony, will offer comedic commentary on sexuality, race, ethnicity and gender "from a queer Chicano lens," Subasic said.
Friday's student drag show is always one of the week's most popular events, said Assistant Director of the LGBTA Student Resource Center Claire Gonyo.
"It's something within the LGBT community that is a fun and celebrative event," she said. "It's something a lot of people in the heterosexual community feel they can support."
To mark National Coming Out Day on Saturday, students and community members will participate in a pride march down College Avenue followed by a picnic at Lederer Park for the first time ever.
National Coming Out Week allows people to surround themselves with others who have come out or are contemplating coming out, and creates a strong sense of community, Lucas said.
"It's really important because coming out is a difficult process that most of us have gone though," he said.
