National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day
We are all queer enough, painted on Walker Wall in October 2014
National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is an internationally-observed human rights day devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning folks and allies on October 11th. This day is about providing visibility to LGBTQ+ individuals and awareness of the issues that affect queer communities, a dedicated time to celebrate coming out.
2019 NCOD Events
Friday, October 11, 2019, 12:00-5:00 pm at the QRC
Join us for National Coming out Day. We will have music, snacks, stickers, and buttons as we celebrate in community.
2018 NCOD Events
Coming out Panel
Join the faculty and staff for a coming out panel where they will share their experiences.
2014 NCOD Events
Queer [Her/His/Their]Story Project
Throughout the week at The QRC
The QRC’s oral archival project collects stories from LGBTQIA and Allied students, faculty, and staff from across the 7Cs. For NCOD we have a special edition of the Queer [Her/His/Their]Story Project where, in addition to their personal stories, we are asking folks to share their coming out story, or what coming out means to them. Please consider joining us in this Special Edition of the archive. Interviews will be conducted by staff members throughout the week, and will last about 45 minutes each.
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP by emailing afrykenberg@gmail.com. What participants should expect:
- An audio-recorded interview of about 45 minutes with a QRC staffer who has been given some open-ended questions and a microphone
- An opportunity to tell us how you’d like your history preserved.
FMI: https://www.facebook.com/events/639733169478860/ We look forward to hearing your story!
Coming Out Dialogue
Wednesday, October 8 2014, 5:30-6:30pm at the QRC
Join us to talk about your experiences in coming out, your choice not to, and/or your narrative around what it means to come out. The Dialogue Series at the QRC is meant to provide a brave and supportive space for students to share their experiences and connect with other folks with the community over great conversation (and snacks!)
FMI: https://www.facebook.com/events/274612316068079/
Coming Out at the Workplace Panel
Fri, October 10 2014, 12:15pm at Aviation Room of the Hoch-Shanahan Dining Hall at Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Office of Career Services is hosting a Coming Out At the Workplace panel, moderated by the QRC’s Director, the lovely Dr. Adriana di Bartolo. Faculty, staff, students, and alums will come together to share their experiences of being out at the workplace and navigating those spaces as an out individual, so come to listen and learn from others’ experiences!
Painting Walker Wall – “We’re All Queer Enough”
Fri, October 10 2014, 4:30-5:30pm at Walker Beach, Pomona
Join the QRC as we paint Walker Wall in celebration of NCOD! FMI:https://www.facebook.com/events/738578639547042/
2013 NCOD Events
“Writing ourselves Into Existence:” Dinner & Workshop with Sinclair Sexsmith
Monday, October 7th, 2013 @ The QRC, PO
Students from across the 7Cs came to this interactive writing workshop and learned about the history of queer stories, what the queer story looks like, alternate forms of publishing such as chapbooks and blogs, and how to begin to form one’s own queer story. Writing Ourselves Into Existence: Queer Stories Traditional publishing through books, magazines, and literary journals have typically excluded gay stories, characters, revelations, and identity development. Navigating the world of literature can be extremely othering as a queer person attempting to write about queer lives, constantly being questioned for our cultural representations in writing. But Judy Shepard continues to say that coming out is the most important thing we can do, that indeed it is a political act, which encourages and advocates for visibility. Telling our stories is one way to make ourselves visible.
FMI about Mr. Sexsmith check out: https://www.mrsexsmith.com/
Sinclair Sexsmith Performance/Open-Mic
Tuesday, October 8th, 2013 @ The Motley, SCR
Mr. Sexsmith read/performed several of their poems at The Motley Coffeehouse on Tuesday night, and stayed behind to sign books and talk with the audience. Participants from the workshop the night before also shared some of their poetry, and the mic was left open for all attendees to share their stories in creative expression.
2012 NCOD Events
“Two Spirits, One Heart” with Marsha Aizumi & Aiden Aizumi
Thursday, October 11, 2012 at Frank Dining Hall, PO
The QRC hosted a two-part event for 2012 NCOD. First, Marsha and Aiden facilitated parent and student discussions. Then, we came back together for a reading from Marsha’s new book “Two Spirits, One Heart” followed by a Q&A with mother and son. This event was an amazing success! Thanks to all who participated.
Two Spirits, One Heart is a mother’s heartfelt memoir about the painful struggles of her oldest child who was born a female, but today he lives as a man. In this story of acceptance and ultimate redemption, Marsha Aizumi chronicles Aiden’s journey to live as the man he was meant to be. Inspired by her son’s courage, this mother shares her greatest fears, lingering guilt, and deepest sadness, which she struggled with, faced and continues to overcome in order to walk proudly by his side. Through her own journey she uncovered the activist within and her life’s work… to help LGBT youth obtain their education in a nurturing and empowering educational environment. Marsha envisions every LGBT youth discovering their greatness and realizing their deepest hopes and dreams.
FMI check out www.marshaaizumi.com.
SPONSORED BY: The Queer Resource Center [QRC], The Asian-American Resource Center [AARC], The Office of Institutional Diversity at Harvey Mudd [OID], Scripps Communities of Resources and Empowerment Office [SCORE]
“I’m Coming Out”
Thursday, October 11th at 8:00 PM – Campus-wide!
In honor of National Coming Out Day on Thursday, October 11th, an internationally observed civil awareness day celebrating individuals who publicly identify as part of the queer or LGBTQQIPAA community, everyone and anyone on all of the campuses was encouraged to blast the classic Diana Ross song “I’m Coming Out” at 8:00pm (or anytime around it).
Thanks to all who participated and showed your Coming Out Day pride!
2011 NCOD Events
A week of events from Friday, October 7 – Thurs, October 13
- Coming Out Panel
- Painting Walker Wall
- Coming Out Tuesday Talk
- LGBT Faculty and Staff Wine & Cheese Reception
- WU Lunch: Coming Out Panel
- Gay/Bi Queer Men’s Social
2010 NCOD Events
National Coming Out Day – Saturday, October 9th
Painting the Walker Wall went really well and we all had a lot of fun! For more pictures see our Facebook album.
GSA Queer Youth Summit – Sunday, October 10th
The summit included representatives from the GSA Network, local high school students involved in their GSA’s, staff from the QRC and Claremont College students. There were workshops and discussions which helped to nurture and support a relationship between the various levels of involvement in queer communities.
Tuesday Talk Topic: “Coming out” – October 12
We dedicated this Tuesday Talk to coincide with National Coming Out Day and the students had a great time sharing coming out stories and supporting one another.