Kaitlyn Kupiec
@kaitlynkupiec
On Wednesday, Oct 11, the lobby of the Campus Union was filled with rainbow flags in support of National Coming Out Day.
The holiday encourages lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and other members of the LGBTQ+ community to step out of the closet and share themselves with others.
“Coming out of the closet” is a metaphor used to publicly announce a belief that one has kept hidden, especially one’s sexual preference.
Annually at Springfield College, the Office of Non-Discrimination Initiatives and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion put on an event to recognize that not everyone feels comfortable enough to share their authentic selves with others.
“One of the biggest ways Springfield makes it safe to share your authentic self is through events like this because it normalizes the conversations that still need to be had about things like pronouns, gender identity and sexual orientation,” said sophomore Evan Davidson.
In the Campus Union, two distinct tables were set up for the LGBTQ+ communities and their supporters to celebrate the annual holiday.
At one table, students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to write letters to show their support for acceptance. These letters will be placed around the Campus Union to allow others to see the experience of people living authentically and being open-minded.
At the other table, there were pronoun pins, which allowed students, faculty and staff to write out their preferred names and pronouns.
Imagine someone frequently mispronouncing your name or gender identity. You may feel insulted and hurt. Being referred to by the incorrect pronoun or a name that does not correspond to one’s identity can provoke a similar feeling. Those feelings can lead to invalidation, marginalization and uncertainty for an LGBTQ+ individual.
As a graduate intern for the Office of Non-Discrimination and Title IX Initiatives, Nathan Fontaine helps support students and events like these.
“Springfield makes it easy to share our authentic selves through our preferred name policy, the events and visibility we have on campus, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Title IX and the safe zone training workshop,” Fontaine said. “When working together, they make sure that everyone feels safe and seen.”
Springfield hosts many different clubs and makes resources available to students on campus. Some include the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Title XI Office, The Office of DEI and The Counseling Center.
GSA is made up of students and employees who are dedicated to minimizing the inequity that LGBTQ+ individuals confront. This includes, but is not limited to, those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender or gender nonconforming.
The Title XI Office states that Springfield College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Title XI hosts events that include panels and guest speakers which are free and open to the Springfield College community and the public.
The Office of DEI seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive, student-centered, diverse and safe campus environment. It wants to assist in making the campus as welcoming as possible.
Lastly, the Counseling Center offers free, professional counseling to undergraduate and graduate students. Its mission is to offer accessible, judgment-free counseling where students can focus on overcoming challenges that affect mental health. The Center’s deeper commitment is to encourage dialogue and awareness around diversity, equity and inclusion. Every student in the community, regardless of race, ethnicity, economic background, collegiate status, citizenship status, cultural identity, gender expression, or sexual preference, should feel supported.
“If you’re not yet able to share your authentic self, just know that one day it’s coming,” Fontaine said. “Reach out to other individuals that make you feel like you can live your authentic self, and know that one day you will be able to too.”
Photo courtesy of Springfield College Flickr