Campus Celebrates National Coming Out Day
The National Coming Out Day celebration was held in front of Pennsylvania Hall. (Nathaniel Swindell/The Gettysburgian)
By Nathaniel Swindell, Staff Writer
On Friday, Oct. 11, the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center hosted an event for National Coming Out Day, which featured stalls selling flags, clothes and other apparel, as well as drag queen performances. The event was held to make the LGBT members of the campus community feel welcome and to raise awareness about the number of students and Gettysburg residents who are part of that community.
“We’re focused on acceptance, on joyfulness and on community building,” said Alana Anderson, one of the event’s organizers and GSRC program coordinator. “Those are definitely the underpinnings of a celebration of National Coming Out Day.”
The event also sought to make sure the LGBT members of the student body felt safe and accepted on campus, knowing that they are not alone.
“I want people to leave here knowing that they belong,” said Anderson. “That wherever they are on their journey, whether they’re very comfortable with expressing themselves, whether they’re querying who they are, that there is not only a center dedicated for them to have those conversations, but there are people rooting for them from the ground level to the administration.”
The event was popular among student attendees, who appreciated what the GSRC was doing for the community and the attention it brought.
“It’s very nice to see the college supporting the queer community in this way, and I’m having a good time,” said Aiden Martin ’26.
“As an employee of the college, I’m very appreciative that we have something like this,” said Collin Hollenbaugh, an employee of the Bullet Hole. “I’ve never been at a place of establishment that lets me express who I am as a person, and even if it’s not verbally all the time, I enjoy knowing that I’m allowed to, and it’s great to be here.”
The GSRC has several future events planned, mainly focused on weekly groupings and discussions.
“We have programming every week where it’s student-led discussion groups, so that’s an important part,” said Anderson. “The end of October is gonna be Asexual, Aromantic Awareness Week. That is massive. There’s a lot of conversations for some of the smaller communities on being recognized. I think the main focus is less of another giant, massive event. It’s more about the weekly, the daily, what’s happening in our center, on campus, with conversations and support.”
The organizers hope to continue this tradition next year and host similar events for national holidays important to the LGBT community.
(Nathaniel Swindell/The Gettysburgian)
