The annual events known as Coming Out Month put on by Syracuse University’s LGBT Resource Center, is accompanied this year with the hashtag #OutSpokenSU. The purpose of #OutSpokenSU for October 2014 is to celebrate the complexities of identities and experiences of students, faculty and staff at Syracuse University. The Resource Center’s vision is to serve with integrity people with marginalized genders and sexualities, as well as ally communities with opportunities to understand identities, experiences and allyship through a variety of programming and events aligned with the Resource Center’s statement of allyship.
Actress Laverne Cox will speak on Oct. 29 as part of SU’s celebration of Coming Out Month.
Pride Union’s annual tradition of Coming Out Stories took place on Sept. 30. During the event, an array of students, faculty and staff shared different narratives of their coming out process. The event is a way to kick-off the month of programming through storytelling and community building.
Students, faculty, staff and alumni can let members of the LGBT community know there is support and resources available to them on campus by adding their names to the “You Are Not Alone” list, which will run in the Daily Orange and on the SU News website on Oct. 9 in honor of National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11). To be included on the list, names must be emailed from a Syracuse University or SUNY ESF account to lgbt@syr.edu by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3.
Additionally, all members of the SU and SUNY ESF communities can participate in a “Safer People, Safer Spaces” training designed to engage and develop their sense of allyship. The training will take place on Friday, Oct. 24, from 2-5 p.m. Space is limited; email lgbt@syr.edu to secure a spot.
“Our hope this year is to engage students, faculty and staff in a variety of ways to build relationships, expand understanding and deepen support across the University,” says Chase Catalano, director of the LGBT Resource Center.
In an effort to provide new opportunities, this year’s events will include Fierce & Fabulous Queer and Trans* Yoga on Oct. 8, from 4-6 p.m. in the Ernie Davis Exercise Room. Queer and Trans* Yoga is a playful and nourishing yoga class specifically for the LGBT community that leaves heterosexism and transphobia outside the classroom and allows for practitioners to be fully present and embodied.
One of the most highly anticipated events of this year’s #OutSpokenSU calendar includes the keynote address by Laverne Cox, actress and LGBTQ advocate, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium. Cox, known for her role in the Netflix program “Orange is the New Black,” explores how the intersections of race, class and gender uniquely affect the lives of trans* women of color. Tickets are free, and will be available starting on Oct. 20th at the Schine Box Office.
“Laverne Cox is not only recognizable across campus, but also inspirational. Her story is powerful and important to consider the intersections of identities and communities,” says Catalano.
Other highlights of the month’s events include co-sponsorship of the University Lecture with Eve Ensler, on Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. An Out @ Work Panel in collaboration with Career Services, where students can hear about how to make decisions about being “out” about their sexuality and/or gender in the interview and career from professionals with marginalized genders and sexualities takes place on Monday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in 304ABC Schine.
A full calendar of events is available here For more information, contact the LGBT Resource Center at 443-3983 or lgbt@syr.edu.
