Spectrum, the campus gay and lesbian alliance organization,hopes that students will don their best costumes a little earlythis month to celebrate National Coming Out Day.
On National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, people who are ashamed ofor hide their sexuality are encouraged to step up and take pride inthemselves. Spectrum has planned fun and informative events incelebration of this holiday.
On Thursday, the group is hosting its annual “Secrets andLies” masquerade ball at 8 p.m. in the Varsity at theHughes-Trigg Student Center.
“You’ll see everything your parents warned youabout,” Spectrum Treasurer Chris Harvey said.
Partygoers are encouraged to come up with any costume they canthink of. The organizers believe that it will be the wildestcostume party on campus.
“It puts other costume parties to shame,” Harveysaid. “It’s a good chance to meet a diverse group ofpeople who are just there to have some fun.”
The ball started a few years ago as a club function but hasgrown to an event that includes the whole campus. The event is freefor everyone.
On Friday, Spectrum will also have a table set up in theHughes-Trigg Commons with information and support for thosethinking about coming out. There will be brochures and pamphletsabout National Coming Out Day as well as information on the processof coming out and what it means.
National Coming Out Day started in 1987 on the anniversary ofthe march of half a million people on Washington, D.C., as part ofthe NAMES project quilt for those who died of AIDS.
According to the Web site of the Human Rights Campaign, anorganization that sponsors events around the country, the purposeof the day is to encourage gays and lesbians to come out bydemonstrating the presence of other gay, lesbian and bisexualindividuals in their community.
Amy Dominguez, a member of Spectrum, said the coming out processcan be difficult for some people.
“The element of normality is important. We’re normalpeople. … Coming out allows you to take a little of thatback — in my life, it means I’m not hiding orafraid.”
