The University of New Hampshire honors National Coming Out Week 2017 with a variety of events and guest speakers.
By Benjamin Strawbridge
Contributing Writer
October 12, 2017
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In celebration of National Coming Out Week, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) is inviting Wildcats to become educated in diversity and inclusivity through hosting six events highlighting experience and awareness for the LGBTQ+ community over the week.
From Oct. 9-13, OMSA, located in Room 327 in the Memorial Union Building (MUB), led the initiative in holding several panels and speaking events aimed at increasing awareness and empathy for minority communities on campus, such as the LGBTQ, IP Plus, asexual and non-binary peoples, and other culturally alternative groups.
Assistant director of OMSA and LGBTQA+ Initiatives Lu Ferrell stressed the theme of cultural "visibility,” saying, "There’s a very powerful notion in the ability to be seen for who you really are, and so I believe in providing that space for people. Not everybody… can be out or be seen for who they are, for various reasons, but just to know that the space can be there and is provided is an important thing for me.”
Ferrell, who has been a part of transgender and queer groups for several years, believes that a lack of this visibility can cause society to "default to certain ones [identities] that are centered in our society,” such as strictly male or female, and prevents society from experiencing the variety of different "nuances in peoples’ experiences,” and that the role of assistant director is not only a "personal but also a professional effort in wanting to make sure we all have equitable access and a place at the table.”
One of the many groups Ferrell and the members of OMSA gave a voice to was the Asexual/Aromantic community, who led a five-member hour-long "A Panel of Experiences” on Tuesday, as they highlighted their experiences in discovering and embracing their asexuality in spite of challenging societal norms.
Tuesday also presented the Weekly Meeting of the campus’ LGBTQ+ student group Alliance. They showed a 2013 TED talk from Ash Beckham in Boulder, Colorado stressing that "we all have closets” and that "all a closet is, is a hard conversation.”
At the meeting, Alliance stressed ease and a comforting environment, allowing students to not only share personal experiences but also discuss as a group how to reveal and embrace one’s unique identity in numerous settings, ranging from professional work scenarios to more informal daily encounters with friends and acquaintances.
"I am very passionate about what Alliance has to offer to the UNH community,” sophomore secretary of Alliance, Lillian Gilbert, said. Following the end of the meeting, Gilbert said, "I am very motivated and passionate to see that it continues and thrives to protect my community.” Despite the group’s successes and positive efforts to aid the LGBTQ+ community, Gilbert reflected that "the main difficulties are mostly centered around being conscious of who you are talking to and the fact that everyone has their own story,” and that the "important thing is to recognize just how important it is to be yourself.”
Highlighting Wednesday’s contribution to the week was a special speaking event "Religion and Rainbows,” fronted by Jonathan Davey, who recounted his life story of discovering his gay identity while growing up and confronting the difficulties of living with a traditional Christian family. He recalled his experiences finally coming out to his mother and exposure to conversion programs before ultimately accepting his homosexuality.
According to Ferrell, there are two major goals of National Coming Out Week. The first is the importance for students, faculty and staff to understand the multitude of experiences "out there” and to have "empathy towards” understanding someone else’s experience.
Secondly, Ferrell said it is important "for those who identify with minority groups to feel a sense of community and validity for being who they are.”
According to the OMSA assistant director, Thursday’s events are to include a "RealTalk” called "Coming Out Across the Globe,” as well as a panel for people who identify their gender as "non-binary.” Friday concludes the week’s events with a Tinder live show, hosted by comedian Lane Moore.
Originally published in The New Hampshire in Vol. 107, No. 6, on Oct. 12, 2017.