Celebrating Authenticity

A tapestry of vibrant colors brightened the American University quad during the Coming Out Day Fair on October 9, inviting passersby to celebrate LGBTQIA+ students.

"This is a celebration of my identity. I'm here," said Janais Marte, CAS/BA '27, a Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) student worker who handed out cookies. "Growing up, I didn't hear much about trans and queer [people of color] like me, especially in [my] community, as a Dominican. National Coming Out Day is a celebration of your identity and you being who you are, without the stress of what society thinks of you or what it means to have to hide your identity."

The first National Coming Out Day was held on October 11, 1988, in honor of the first anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Thirty-six years later, CDI, the Center for Student Involvement, PRIDE at AU, the Humanist Community at AU, Equality Onward AU, and the Kogod Pride Alliance assembled before fall break to lift up the personal decision of LGBTQIA+ people to live authentically.

Throughout the day, students explored resources to find comfort and community on campus and expressed themselves and their identity by crafting buttons and bracelets.

"When we have events like this, it allows for students to feel seen, valued, and appreciated," said Khouri Lassiter, CDI assistant director of LGBTQIA+ education and support. "[It shows them] I can be out on campus and be my full self."

Eli Givens, SPA/BA '27, secretary for Equality Onward AU, spent time tabling for the student group, which mobilizes Eagles in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.

"We have more in common than we don't, and LGBTQ+ rights are on the line with this upcoming election-and every election," Givens said. "It requires all of us to do the work."

At the Humanist Community at AU table, AU students were invited to paint tiles-a highlight of the afternoon for Kate Gosling, SPA/BA '28, and Logan Uddo, CAS/BA '28. "It was really fun," said Gosling, who painted a rainbow heart.

"Not all of us have access to this [support] at home, so it's nice to come to college and do stuff like this," Uddo added.

Students took their tiles with them as a memento of the joyous day. Among the dozens of creations, one AU student painted: I know Queer joy exists because I exist.

Marte said finding a supportive community on campus-exemplified at the Coming Out Day Fair-is fundamental to the AU experience for all students.

"Belonging really matters," they said. "If you feel like you belong in a space and see other people like you, it makes you want to be your best self. That's why it's so important to make affinity spaces on campus."

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.