One of the challenges in the life of some with a sexually diverse orientation is telling friends and family. This challenge has been eased by some of the recent events that have taken place at the University of Southern Maine.
Last week USM celebrated National Coming Out Week, an event sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Allied Resources Program(GLBTQA.) According to Sarah Holmes, the Coordinator of GLBTQA, National Coming Out Week is a time for many questioning people to educate themselves and take advantage of the resources that are provided. It can ease the struggle that many face when disclosing their sexual diversity
“In some ways it’s a tool for talking about it,” said Holmes.
Many students and staff members participated in National Coming Out Week’s events which have been celebrated nationally for over a decade.
The events started off with a candle light vigil that was held in Gorham. Nearly 60 people were present, mostly students and some staff members. The following days included a comedy event, a health and counseling workshop, and a lecture at the University Law Building. The lecture was given by Chai Felblum, a Professor of Law at Georgetown University who was one of the lawyers who drafted the Americans with Disabilities Act and sits on the Lead Council for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Feldblum spoke on Civil Rights Laws and how they pertained to gays and religion. The events climaxed last Friday with a Drag Contest held in Gorham.
Sarah Holmes played a large role in setting up the events with the help of some students. She has been active with the queer community since she came to U.S.M. in 1993 as an undergraduate.
“As long as I’ve worked with the community, National Coming Out Day has been celebrated,” said Holmes.
Because of GLBTQA and events like National Coming Out Day, the acceptance of people with diverse sexuality has increased according to Holmes. She has been pleased with the impact that she and many others have been able to make on the USM community.
“When I first came to USM, there were very, very few people out,” she said, “I think the climate has changed a lot, especially over the last 5 years.”
Comparatively, USM is ahead of the game in regards to resources provided for students of diverse sexual orientation. GLBTQA is one of less than 80 similar programs across the country. It was the first program of its kind to be established in any University or College in the State of Maine and continues to be the only with a full time coordinator.
Chris O’Connor, the Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs for Student Governance and Organizational Development, has been active with GLBTQA and admits that USM has improved its resources for students with diverse sexual orientation. O’Connor, stage name: Crystal Ball, was the hostess for the 2nd annual Drag Contest. He admitted that there were no complaints from administration about the event. Such complaints, according to O’Connor, would be expected on many campuses across the nation.
“We’re on a campus where the administration allows it,” he said, ” This says a lot about the campus climate.”
Both Holmes and O’Connor agree that the campus and country have a long way to go. O’Connor will head into the Old Port after the show, dressed in drag, and expects to hear comments form street goers as he always has. “Some people are a little freaked out by it,” he said, “I’m a man with a dress and it’s not Halloween.”
“It would be ideal to get to the point where we don’t need to make ourselves visible,” he said, “but this is a fun way to do it.”
National Coming Out Week has evolved from National Coming Out Day which celebrates the anniversary of the March for Civil Rights, held October 11th, 1987 in Washington D.C. National Coming Out Week has gained National recognition through sponsorship from the Human Rights Campaign, a National lobbying organization, and the National Coming Out Project. The National Coming Out Project is directed by Candice Gingrich, with the disapproval of her brother, Newt.