National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBT awareness day observed each 11th October.
The aim is to support lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) people in celebrating their identity.
The Day started in America in the 1980’s in the spirit of being a political message and an emphasis on ‘coming out’ to family and friends or starting to live a full life as an openly LGBT person.
Many in the community believe that homophobia can thrive in a place of silence and ignorance.
‘Coming out’ basically means expressing your sexuality to the world in order to end the stigma and this is exactly what National Coming Out day is about.
Today even ‘out’ people find that ‘coming out’ is a continual process as they mix with different groups of colleagues or friends or just as they live their daily lives; and as they decide to ‘come out’ they open themselves to homophobia and abuse, and often prejudice.
David Williams, Chair of the University of Bedfordshire’s Staff LGBTQ Alliance says, ‘Research by Stonewall has indicated that someone who can be their true self is more productive in the workplace and is less likely to have mental health issues. The decision to ‘come out’ and tell the ‘world’ is a very personal one and every individual has their own journey. Our staff and students can be assured they have the full support of the University when they are ready to do so’.
The University celebrated this years National Coming Out Day with a coffee morning held in the Student Union Metro Bar, and also discussed the day on the monthly ‘Queer Hour’ [October edition] hosted by the University Award winning radio station, RadioLab. You can listen again here: https://www.mixcloud.com/thequeerhour/the-queer-hour-october-bisexual-celebration/
Additionally the LGBTQ Alliance are holding 'Rainbow Office Hours' on luton and bedford campus where any staff or students can come up to talk about anything LGBTQ related or just have a chat.
Details on National Coming Out day: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/information-and-resources/coming-out
The staff LGBTQ Network: https://www.beds.ac.uk/about-us/diversity-and-inclusion/lgbt-network/ including our calendar of Events; Email: LGBTQAlliance@beds.ac.uk