October 20, 2022

Lafayette honors LGBTQIA+ History Month with National Coming Out Day Celebration, Resource Fair

Oct. 13 event featured student groups, campus offices, and local organizations offering affirming resources both on and off campus

By Sarah Aparicio ’25

Lafayette’s Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) hosted a National Coming Out Day Celebration and Resource Fair to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. The fair, held Oct. 13 in Farinon, was part of GSRC’s programming for LGBTQIA+ History Month.

LGBTQIA+ flags hung above the lobby of Farinon, and a DJ played music from LGBTQIA+ artists as participants explored booths that featured affirming resources available on and off campus.

Tommy Lee, assistant director of Gender and Sexuality for the Office of Intercultural Development, coordinated the event. On-campus groups represented at the fair included OUT; Out in STEM; Athlete Ally; Queer and Trans People of Color; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department; Counseling Center; Gateway Career Center; Queer Archives Project; Dean of Students; Office of Sustainability, and many more. Off-campus organizations, such as Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, Crime Victims Council, and Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley also had a presence at the fair. All of these organizations were brought together for students on campus to learn about the resources and community available at Lafayette College.

Students could pick up free mini pride flags and stickers, along with a limited edition holographic sticker designed by Lee with Harvey Milk’s famous quote: “Coming out is the most political thing you can do.”

“National Coming Out Day is truly a great experience at Lafayette College,” said Meredith McGee ’23. “Since we aren’t on campus for Pride, this event serves as a great substitute for a fun, lighthearted event where we can celebrate our identities and our history. Tommy put on a great program, and I’m so glad to have seen so many students come out and support it!”

President Nicole Farmer Hurd, Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman, Dean of Students Brian Samble, and several other faculty and staff members stopped by to show their support.