YSUnity ready for Coming Out Day
Katie Libecco
Issue date: 10/11/05 Section: pageone
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YSUnity, Youngstown State University's gay/straight alliance, hopes to build and show support of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community through National Coming Out Day, which is officially today.
"This is the one day of the year that we can say, 'Yes, we're here,'" Christy Campf, president of YSUnity, said. "It's a great day to get support and let people know, 'It's okay. We're here to support you."
The first National Coming Out Day was held Oct. 11, 1988, in commemoration of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This year's national theme is "Talk About It."
"We're going to have information tables set up in Kilcawley's main lobby, with lots of information for everyone," YSUnity co-advisor Sandra Stephan said. "We'll do that both Tuesday and Wednesday."
"We're doing it both days because we realize not everyone has class Tuesday and Wednesday," Campf said.
In addition to information for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students on how to come out; resources for AIDS/HIV treatment and prevention, health department representatives and information on support groups, there will also be information on YSU Safe Zone training at the tables from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
"The whole point of this is to help encourage people who are struggling with their sexual identity. Many people are raised in a culture that isn't necessarily open to it, there are a lot of problems," Stephan said. "The idea of this is to invite people to feel comfortable with their sexual identity."
Both Stephan and Campf were enthusiastic about the impact of National Coming Out Day.
"I would say 'congratulations' and it's great for anyone who comes out. It's a great day to take that step," Campf said. "National Coming Out Day gives us a day to not put it off anymore, and shows that no one has to do it by themselves."
Stephan saw the same benefits with designating a specific day for coming out.
"It's a very brave and personal decision," Stephan said. "Anyone making that decision needs to know that they are supported and that there is a group on campus willing to help them and do whatever they can to help them."
"This is the one day of the year that we can say, 'Yes, we're here,'" Christy Campf, president of YSUnity, said. "It's a great day to get support and let people know, 'It's okay. We're here to support you."
The first National Coming Out Day was held Oct. 11, 1988, in commemoration of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This year's national theme is "Talk About It."
"We're going to have information tables set up in Kilcawley's main lobby, with lots of information for everyone," YSUnity co-advisor Sandra Stephan said. "We'll do that both Tuesday and Wednesday."
"We're doing it both days because we realize not everyone has class Tuesday and Wednesday," Campf said.
In addition to information for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students on how to come out; resources for AIDS/HIV treatment and prevention, health department representatives and information on support groups, there will also be information on YSU Safe Zone training at the tables from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
"The whole point of this is to help encourage people who are struggling with their sexual identity. Many people are raised in a culture that isn't necessarily open to it, there are a lot of problems," Stephan said. "The idea of this is to invite people to feel comfortable with their sexual identity."
Both Stephan and Campf were enthusiastic about the impact of National Coming Out Day.
"I would say 'congratulations' and it's great for anyone who comes out. It's a great day to take that step," Campf said. "National Coming Out Day gives us a day to not put it off anymore, and shows that no one has to do it by themselves."
Stephan saw the same benefits with designating a specific day for coming out.
"It's a very brave and personal decision," Stephan said. "Anyone making that decision needs to know that they are supported and that there is a group on campus willing to help them and do whatever they can to help them."
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