October 11 is National Coming Out Day in Canada
Its roots lie in theÌýU.S.ÌýNational Coming Out Day,ÌýestablishedÌýin 1988, which wasÌýtheÌýsecond anniversary of theÌýMarch on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights. This dayÌýcan serveÌýasÌýaÌýform of activism and a meansÌýto celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ identities, decrease stigma,ÌýincreaseÌýawareness, and advocate for change.ÌýFor some 2SLGBTQ+ folks this day is anÌýopportunityÌýto celebrate their identities publicly.Ìý
Coming out isÌýan expressionÌýthat describesÌýaÌýprocess of socially acknowledging one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity.ÌýComing outÌýcanÌýprovide spaceÌýand opportunity forÌýsomeÌý2SLGBTQ+ folks to define their identities and lived experiences on their own terms,Ìýwith their own agency.ÌýOn this day, many members of theÌý2SLGBTQ+Ìýcommunity may choose to actively ‘come out’Ìýon social media to a few people in their lives, or just to themselves.ÌýComing out looks and feels differently to each person.Ìý
And weÌýrecognize thatÌýcoming out safely, orÌýevenÌýcoming out in general,Ìýis not always an option for all, nor is it anÌýaction everyone wants to take.ÌýThere is growing acknowledgement that coming out places undue pressureÌýonÌýmembers of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.ÌýMany 2SLGBTQ+ folksÌýwho areÌýalsoÌýBlack, Indigenous,Ìýor are aÌýPerson of ColourÌýnote that the conceptÌýofÌýcoming outÌýhas been a framework that has historically been useful for Western society.ÌýBut the narrowness of the concept and the language used to describe itÌýareÌýnot always reflective of theÌý2SLGBTQ+Ìýcommunity at large.ÌýComingÌýout is not aÌýrequiredÌýprocess for 2SLGBTQ+ folks – queer and transÌýidentities are validÌýregardless of whether others know this about someone or not.ÌýÌý
This National Coming Out Day,Ìýwe celebrateÌýtheÌýdiversity ofÌý2SLGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff in our community,ÌýandÌýhonour and support those who have come out,Ìýthose who will come out today,Ìýand those who cannot or choose not to.ÌýÌý
Today isÌýan excellent opportunity for all #UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýcommunity members to consider the ways each of us can make our learning and working spaces safe(r),ÌýmoreÌýwelcoming, and more inclusive to members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.ÌýÌý
University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Resources
Pride at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Resources Webpage
Visit theÌýPride at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Resources WebpageÌýto explore supports, resources, community, and educational tools.
Equity Office
TheÌýEquity OfficeÌýworks with students, faculty and staff across campus to advance equity through evidence-based policies, practices and programs.Ìý
Conflict Management and Human Rights Office (CMAHRO)
TheÌýConflict Management and Human Rights OfficeÌýacts as a focal point and resource to all members of the university community regarding matters of harassment, discrimination, and other general forms of conflict.
Campus Groups
Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity
Ìýis a WUSA service that promotes a healthy attitude towards all sexual orientations and gender identities on campus by providing a wide variety of peer support, social events, advocacy work, and resources. They offer an Incident Report Form to report incidences of feeling unsafe or uncomfortable.
Women’s Centre
TheÌýisÌýa WUSA serviceÌýrun by student volunteers and aimsÌýto create a positive and safe space for students of all genders, with a special focus on women and trans folks.
QTPOC-KW
Ìýhosts monthly events for people who are in the 2SLGBTQ+ community and are BIPOC with the goal of building and nurturing a more resilient community.
EngiQueers
is a drop-in, anonymous chapter of theÌýEngiQueersÌýCanada that focuses on connecting and supporting 2SLGBTQ+ students in engineering at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, and beyond.
UW Drag Club
TheÌýis a space for members to explore and enjoy drag culture and performance, through discussions on drag-related topics, learning about performance techniques, and putting on drag performances.
Gender and Sexual Diversity Working Group
TheÌýGender and Sexual Diversity Working GroupÌýoperates under the Provost’s Advisory Committee and is supported by the Equity Office. They seek to address issues relating to equity, gender, and sexual identity.ÌýThe working group is open to the campus community of students, faculty, and staff.Ìý
Campus Wellness Resources
Queer and Trans Graduate Students Wellness (QTWELL)
QTWELLÌýis an open, drop-in group, for any graduate student is who a sexual and gender minority or identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.Ìý
Local Community Supports
Spectrum: À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region’s Rainbow Community Space
Ìýis À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's LGBTQ+/Rainbow community space. They offer details on programming, social groups, special projects, research, events, resources, and more.Ìý
À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region Rainbow Coalition
TheÌýis a volunteer-based community association that acts as a central hub for the local Rainbow community.
tri-Pride Community Association
Ìýis a community organization that celebrates Pride and diversity in the Kitchener- À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ and Cambridge region.
OK2BME
Ìýis a set of support services for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region.
Gender Variant Working Group
TheÌýworks to create a thriving community that fully includes gender variance by building awareness and education in the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region
AIDSÌýCommitteeÌýofÌýCambridge,ÌýKitchener,ÌýÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Area (ACCKWA)
ÌýisÌýa queer-led, queer-focused organization that centers harm prevention, health promotion, anti-stigma work and inclusion for multiple marginalized communities. TheyÌýwork toward a future where new HIV, hepatitis C, andÌýsexually-transmittedÌýor blood-borne infections are rare in À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region.