LGBTU comes out in force

Pink and red ribbons flying, stereo blasting and several chalk streaks later, Coming Out Week had begun.

Since Monday, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Union (LGBTU) has been celebrating its annual Coming Out Week, which coincides with National Coming Out Week.

"I feel we should celebrate them everyday. If we can only get a week, well then we'll just have to put forth as much energy as possible for this week," said Deb McNish, Interim Dean of Student Life and Services. The events will continue into Saturday and end Sunday with a bonfire in Tappan Square.

Tabling is one of the main methods of bringing visibility of the gay community to Oberlin. Beginning last Monday a table stand was set up in Wilder Bowl where passing students were able to chalk their names on the ground in bright colors as a way of "signing out." Tabling lasted until today at 4:30 p.m.

"Tabling is the biggest part," said college senior Ian Sherman. "People can put pink and red ribbons on their bag and stock up on stickers. Ground chalking is fun to do. It makes queers more visible," he said.

Sherman explained the necessity behind the heavy chalking of gay voices around campus. "The chalking originated during Pride Week, which was planned during All Roads because we felt we were being underrepresented by admission," said Sherman. The heavy chalking was a method of increasing visibility to prospective parents and students visiting Oberlin during the All Roads period.

The week continued with Tuesday's discussion on "Racism and the Queer Community," which was one among many different daily discussions held throughout the week. There was also a First-Year Queer general meeting.

"There was pretty solid attendance at the First-Year Queer meeting," said Angela Nichols, the Multicultural Resource Center's (MRC) LGBT Community Coordinator. "This solidifies strong potential leadership for the future," she said.

Wednesday night the MRC held a general meeting for the Queer Peers organization and then screened a film. "I showed up for the movie last night at the MRC," said Nichols. "There were a fair amount of students showing up."

Last night was the "unofficial" Queer night at the 'Sco which coincidentally fell on DJ Serjio Acevedo's 80's Night. "I was so happy when I found out it was my night. It was all coincidental that I'm playing queer music on unofficial queer night," he said. Acevedo played cuts of Erasure, Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys. "Erasure is definitely out. Depeche Mode is thought to be out and the Pet Shop Boys were definitely out," said Acevedo.

Nichols recognized the hard work LGBTU officers dedicated to the celebration of Coming Out Week and the organization itself. "I think they've done a great job. I've seen the officers busting their asses to make the group a success. I'm really proud of them," she said.

Rockin' out: A Tappan Square rock was painted as part of Coming Out Week celebrations. (photo by Zach Fried)