UB's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alliance (LGBTA) club is hosting one of the largest events of the school year this upcoming week: Annual Coming Out Week.
"It's mostly to raise awareness for our community. It's actually a national holiday, but we extend it to a week to add more events," said Carly Rehac, a senior psychology major and vice president of UB's LGBTA.
On Monday, Oct. 11, LGBTA will be hosting a bake sale in the Student Union lobby from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. From 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., the club will be hosting a movie night in the LGBTA office, located at 362 Student Union.
An amateur drag show will be held in the SU theatre from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 12.
"It's a chance for UB students to participate in drag," said Joseph Nasby, a junior theatre major and LGBTA's president. "Many students go to Marcella's to see the drag queens, so this is a chance for them to try it out."
Wednesday, Oct 13 brings a professional drag show to the SU lobby from noon until 3 p.m.
"We bring five to six drag queens from Marcella's to perform… it's for those who can't make it out to Marcella's to see them," Nasby said.
A "Coming Out" workshop will be held on Oct. 14 in Norton 112 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
"It'll be similar to Postsecret. It's a chance for students to create artwork and, if they feel comfortable, tell their own coming out stories," Nasby said.
Don't be shy to come out and get involved with the week's activities.
"People think you need to be a member of the LGBTQ community to take part, but without the support of our straight allies, we wouldn't be nearly as successful or accepted in mainstream society," said Stefano Verdesoto, a sophomore undecided major and the event coordinator for UB's LGBTA.
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Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
