Gettysburg College Holds Second Annual Coming Out Day Celebration

Posted By Gettysburgian Staff on Oct 15, 2023 | 0 comments

By Andrew Thibaudeau, Staff Writer & Joshua Fackler, Staff Photographer

On Wednesday, Gettysburg College hosted its second Coming Out Day Celebration from 4-6 p.m. in front of Pennsylvania Hall. The event hosted many activities and local vendors, from student-favorite Ziggy Donutz to a drag show.

Dean of Inclusion and Belonging Cristina Garcia revealed that this event is not just for the sake of fun.

“The goal is to help students connect with resources and celebrate,” she said.

She underscored the fact that Coming Out Day is a day which is not well-known and noted that this event aimed to change that here at the college. Despite the underrepresentation of the day, Garcia believed the Gettysburg community engaged exceedingly well.

Organizers Garcia and Director of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center AJ Del Gaudio concurred on the point that the event had grown substantially from last year, from attendees to organizers. They noted that massive contributions from Gettysburg Pride, local vendors, members of the Gettysburg community and the number of volunteers helped to make the event possible. Garcia ecstatically claimed that the event was “a true community effort,” and she felt that it was an honor to be holding such a well-received event in the sacred space before Pennsylvania Hall.

President Bob Iuliano attended the event as well, and he shared his thoughts on the environment: “It was a wonderful celebration where everybody can find themselves and be supported.”

Garcia displayed extreme gratitude for the incredible contributions from the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life, the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, Gettysburg Pride and the vendors who made this event possible.