MSU comes out

Every year, the United States celebrates National Coming Out Day and celebrates individuals coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+). The Diversity and Inclusion Student Commons (DISC) and Queer Straight Aliance (QSA) held a Coming out week on campus.

It all began on Oct. 11, 1987, when half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights. Momentum continued for the next four months, until more than 100 activists gathered together to propose a national day of celebration and recognition. The following year, the first National Coming Out Day was celebrated around the country and since then has been celebrated every Oct. 11.

This year, the MSU Queer Straight Alliance planned several events to take place throughout the week. On Monday, Oct. 7, they hosted a coming out celebration that included bowling, pool, and food. On Friday, Oct. 11, the QSA and DISC planned to have a booth on the mall, including a closet, to represent coming out. Unfortunately, Montana weather had other plans. The groups cancelled their event due to below freezing temperatures, but the QSA plans to host a make-up event when weather permits.

Groups like the DISC and QSA assist with helping people make the difficult decision to come out. Both of these groups work together to make sure that any student at MSU can feel comfortable and included on campus and in the world.

The week was full of fun and inclusive events. The overall reason for this event is best incapsulated in this quote by actress and producer, Ellen Page, at the Human Rights Campaign’s Time to Thrive conference in 2014: “I’m here today because I am gay, and because maybe I can make a difference, to help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.”

If you are interested in getting involved with QSA or DISC, QSA meets every Monday at 7 p.m. in SUB 235 and the DISC office is on the third floor of the SUB in room 368.