The Writing Center displayed a Gay Pride flag in honor of National Coming Out Day. Lilly Kujawski | Washtenaw Voice
By Lilly Kujawski
Deputy Editor
Oct. 11 marked the 30th anniversary of National Coming Out Day, which aims to bring visibility to and celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning community.
NCOD was created by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary in 1988. The date was chosen to honor the 1987 Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which occured on Oct. 11.
The WCC Writing Center had banners and a rainbow Pride flag up in observation of NCOD.
“1987 was the height of the AIDS epidemic, and national leaders weren’t listening and weren’t caring or paying attention. So National Coming Out Day was a response to that and an encouragement to people to be visible, if it’s safe,” said Zachary Baker, a Writing Center secretary.
Baker is openly pansexual and a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community on campus.
Pamphlet from the first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Courtesy of the Portal To Texas History
Baker said that the social and political climate has improved for LGBTQ identifying individuals, but they still face severe housing and job discrimination.
Some of the most important resources available to the LGBTQ individuals are the campus food bank and counseling services.
Gender neutral bathrooms, a more recent addition, are located in every building on campus, according to Baker.
Gender neutral bathrooms are designed to offer safety and privacy for individuals of all gender identities.
WCC allows students, as well as staff, to use their preferred name on class rosters, Blackboard, and ID cards. More information about this procedure is available at Student Connection.
“One of the best services, I think, is Out-Space, which is the LGBTQIA+ group on campus,” Baker said.
The Out-Space club’s main mission is to create a safe space for LGBTQ students, said Daniela Page Sander, President of Out-Space.
“Right now we’re more of a social group [and] support group for each other. We have conversations with each other about how to deal with offensive allies, or anybody who disagrees with us. We talk about the differences we have, and how it makes us all equal,” Page Sander said.
According to Page Sander, the club hopes to create more awareness so other students feel like they have a place to go to.
The club works closely with Clarence Jennings, Dean of Student Access, Success, Equity, and Inclusion.
“We don’t have many resources outside of the room, so really you kind of have to come to the club to get the resources. We are trying to, hopefully soon, have a resource center at WCC in the Student Center,” Page Sander said.
More information about LGBTQ resources on campus is available from Dean Clarence Jennings, the Student Resource Center, and online at diversity.wccnet.edu.
Out-Space meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in LA 371.
