By DONOVAN LINDER
The LGBT community on campus is full of energy this semester with lots of planned events ready for the UNH community to be part of. Every Thursday at 9 p.m., UNH Pride hosts their weekly meetings, in which everyone is invited to come and participate in the fun activities.
As we move into the month of October there are a few highlights that we all should consider. National Coming Out Day is on Thursday, Oct. 11, a national treasure that has been celebrated since the late 1980s. On Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. It was the second such demonstration in our nation’s capital and resulted in the founding of a number of LGBT organizations, including the National Latino/a Gay & Lesbian Organization (LLEGÓ) and AT&T’s LGBT employee group, LEAGUE.
The momentum continued four months after this extraordinary march as more than 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists from around the country gathered in Manassas, Va. Recognizing that the LGBT community often reacted defensively to anti-gay actions, they came up with the idea of a national day to celebrate coming out and chose the anniversary of that second march on Washington to mark it.
The originators of the idea were Rob Eichberg, a founder of the personal growth workshop, The Experience, and Jean O’Leary, then head of National Gay Rights Advocates. From this idea, the National Coming Out Day was born.
To this day, National Coming Out Day continues to promote a safe world for LGBT individuals to live truthfully and openly. Whether you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or a straight ally, be proud of who you are and your support for LGBT equality this Coming Out Day!
Though National Coming Out Day is just one day of celebration, people all over the country and even the world are coming out every day in different situations of their lives. It is with the support of our straight allies that community comes together for the greater good of humanity. Take the action to learn about the emotional spectrum that people typically feel after someone comes out. Straight allies can learn more and demonstrate support for LGBT Americans and equality.
The New Haven Pride Center Announcement: yoga classes are every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. New Haven Pride center is located 14 Gilbert St., West Haven, Conn. (two blocks from UNH).Yoga classes are beginner level and new students are encouraged to attend. We have mats and blankets. Just bring your yoga gear and a great attitude.
Instructor Luis Avilez is a certified Yoga Alliance Teacher who has been practicing yoga for over a decade. Classes are free, but the Pride Center appreciates your donations; all proceeds directly benefit the Pride Center.
For more information about UNH Pride and meeting locations, contact the executive board at [email protected] or follow them @UNHPride on Twitter.
