National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBTQ awareness day observed on October 11. Coming Out Week events at Denison begin Monday, October 9.

Monday, Oct. 9: Queer History with Dr, Woodyard at 7 p.m. in Knapp 106

Tuesday, Oct. 10: Outlook/Gaming Guild at 5:30 p.m. in Knobel Hall

Thursday, Oct. 12: Candlelight Vigil at 7 p.m. at the Flagpole

Friday, Oct. 13: Movie Screening: Hurricane Bianca at 7 p.m. in Olin Lecture Hall

Founded in the United States in 1988, the initial idea was grounded in the feminist and gay liberation spirit of the personal being political, and the emphasis on the most basic form of activism being coming out to family, friends and colleagues, and living life as an openly lesbian or gay person.

The foundational belief is that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of silence and ignorance, and that once people know that they have loved ones who are lesbian or gay, they are far less likely to maintain homophobic or oppressive views.