Coming Out Week: October 9-13, 2023
Wayne State University Coming Out Week is a week filled with events and programming to show support and showcase the WSU LGBTQ+ student and employee populations. These programs are not only educational, but also a space to connect and network with queer and ally individuals across the campus community.
These events are planned by various student organizations, the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement (OMSE), the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies (GSW) program, the Dean of Students Office (DOSO), the Queer Faculty and Staff Organization (QWSU), the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI), and the Center for Gender and Sexuality (CGS).
Monday, Oct. 9
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Coming Out Week Tabling
Stop by the Student Center north end literature table to learn more about LGBTQ+ life on campus, including events, student organizations, university resources, and academic programs.
Student Center Building, North End Literature Tables
5 to 6:30 p.m.: Queer and trans sex education: Everything you wanted to know about sex (but were never taught!)
Please join the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement (OMSE) and the Center for Gender and Sexuality (CGS) as we invite Dr. Shanna Katz Kattari to explore various facets of queer and trans sexuality, non-monogamy, kink/BDSM/Leather, and so much more, all in pursuit of having happier, healthier, and authentic sexuality in your own life.
Dr. Shanna Katz Kattari (they/them) is a board certified sexuality educator, an award winning researcher, Mx. Michigan Leather Pride 2022, and a professional sex educator. From educating medical providers on how to be more inclusive and affirming to their patients, to supporting disabled folks in having more engaging sexual experiences, they are often found talking about sexuality, gender, and more. Find out more at ShannaKattari.com.
Student Center Building, room 775
Tuesday, Oct. 10
9 to 10 a.m.: Queer Art Space with Queer Creative Guild
The Queer Creator's Guild is hosting an open space for art-making, critiques, zine-making, and studying. Here, you are safe to create whatever queer crafts you desire!
Student Center Building, room 289
12 to 2 p.m.: QWSU Social Hour
Join QWSU for an employee social hour to enjoy and celebrate Coming Out Week!
Student Center Building, room 285
2 to 4 p.m.: Coming Out with Canines
As a mid-semester break, stop by the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program (GSW) office for consensual cuddles and play with a comfort dog. Space and dog(s) are VERY limited, so time will be limited. PLEASE RVSP
GSW Office, 5057 Woodward, 9th floor, room 9204
6 to 7 p.m.: Social Work Queer Alliance Open Meeting
Join the Social Work Queer Alliance's new leadership as they welcome new students from all majors to advance their community-based mission.
Virtual
6 to 7 p.m.: Open Mic with the GSW Learning Community
Join us for a Coming Out Week Open Mic!! Bring your music, poetry, memoirs, essays, and fiction. Or just bring yourself to support and enjoy the performances. Whether performing or listening, all are welcome!
0110 Purdy-Kresge (Auditorium)
Wednesday, Oct. 11
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: LGBTQ+ Off the Record Music Series
Calling all music lovers. Join us for our Off the Records Series' second event on October 11th. We’re going to highlight various Queer artists or artists who helped to shaped and highlight queer culture in the mainstream. Bring a friend to hang out and listen to vinyl records dedicated to different cultures/identities every month on the 7th floor in OMSE’s office. See you there!
Student Center Building, OMSE Office
10 to 11:15 a.m.: Coming Out Cartoons
Join the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program for a variety of Coming Out Cartoons as we officially celebrate Coming Out Day!
5057 Woodward, 10th floor, room 10302
3 to 5 p.m.: Sticker Sale
Join Helping Young POC Explore Queeratives (H.Y.P.E) for a sticker sale
Student Center Building, Literature Table
4 to 5 p.m.: House Listening Party Event
Join OMSE and The Listening Party in celebrating Coming Out Week by recognizing the connections between the LGBTQ+ community, music, and the dance scene. We will be highlighting Detroit's history and culture surrounding house, techno, and disco music.
Student Center Building, room 775
6 to 8 p.m.: Vogue Ball Inspired Renaissance Party
Let’s continue Coming Out Week by coming together to celebrate the history and origins of underground Queer culture by attending OMSE’s Vogue Ball inspired Renaissance Party
Student Center Building, Hilberry BC
Thursday, Oct. 12
12 to 1 p.m.: Showing Up Diverse workshop
Join Future Librarians for Inclusivity & Diversity for a conversation and reflection on implicit bias and how we all show up intersectionally.
Virtual
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Sip & Paint
Inviting all students to celebrate Coming Out Week with Wayne OUTLaw in a Sip & Paint event. Come make your own mocktails, hang out with fellow students, and paint on a canvas you'll get to take home!
Law School, DJK room 1243
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Amplifying LGBTQ+ Student Voices
The Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) hosts a panel of students to discuss their experiences in the classroom and the broader WSU community. This panel will provide a space in which instructors and staff can listen to our student body, ask questions, and learn from each other to cultivate a campus environment in which all students can thrive. For faculty and staff.
Virtual
4 to 6 p.m.: Queer History Meeting
For the first three weeks of October, a professor in a Queer History field will join CAMP in a presentation and conversation about their field of study.
Last year, Peter Marra gave us a presentation on Queer Slasher movies and the history of queer horror films, and Jamie McQuaid taught us about Queer Russian history. I can't wait for you to learn more this year!
Student Center Building, room 289
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Don’t Break Up Over Text Screening and Discussion
Join the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program and Black LGBT+ Plays (BLP) for a screening of the short film Don’t Break Up Over Text. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the writer, producers, cast, and crew of the film.
5057 Woodward, 10th floor conference room, #10302
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Bride of Frankenstein screening and Drag Show
Join CAMP for a spooky film screening of Bride of Frankenstein - featuring eight drag performances by four talented local queens: Sir Gin, Pinball McQueen, Vivian Aphrodisia, and Happy Birthday! It's going to be the BIGGEST and BADDEST event CAMP has ever put on - and it's free! So bring ALL of your friends and make sure to bring $$ if you want to tip our fabulous performers.
Student Center Building, Hilberry A
Friday, Oct. 13
Noon to 1 p.m.: Over the Garden Wall Appreciation Party
Join CAMP and The Guild on a spooky adventure with our favorite animated brothers as we discuss the queer themes of Over the Garden Wall.
Student Center Building, room 009
9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Early Modern Trans Drama Conference
The Early Modern Trans Drama conference will bring together scholars working at the intersections of early modern drama and trans studies for a discussion about gender, genre, and performance. A part of the project will be to define what we even mean by “trans drama,” a term we hope will be deliberately capacious and generative. Come join leading scholars of premodern trans studies as they share works-in-progress, collaboratively building a whole new field.
The conference runs Friday to Saturday.
This event is supported by the Arthur Marotti Endowed Research Fund and the new Center for Gender and Sexuality. Registration is free but encouraged so that we have enough surprises and swag for everyone: RSVP
McGregor Memorial Conference Center, Room J
6 to 8 p.m.: Black Organization Take Pride
Join Wayne State NAACP and Project Big Sister for an interactive presentation examining the relationship between African Americans and the LGBTQ community, followed by a discussion-based panel. Afterward, students will have the opportunity to participate in the creation of a community goodie bag.
Student Center Building, Hilberry ABC
SAVE THE DATES!
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: International Pronoun Day
International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. One way you can participate in International Pronouns Day is by stopping by the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Program office to pick up a pronoun pin or create your own with our pin maker.
GSW Office, 5057 Woodward, 9th floor, room 9204
Thursday, Oct. 19, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Behind the Publication with Dr. Roland Sintos Coloma: “Decolonizing Queer Epistemology"
Please join the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Program & the Center for Gender and Sexuality for our next session of Behind the Publication, a behind-the-scenes workshop series on faculty research in gender and sexuality.
The series continues with Dr. Roland Sintos Coloma, Professor of Teacher Education in the College of Education. Dr. Coloma’s research and teaching focus on equity and social justice in curriculum studies, teacher education, and policy, with particular attention to the intersections of race, empire, diaspora, gender, and sexuality.
Virtual
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1 to 2 p.m.: Cake with Aces
Join the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Program for cake and conversation in celebration of Asexuality Awareness Week.
GSW Office, 5057 Woodward, 9th floor, room 9204
Thursday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m.: Intersex Awareness Day
Please join the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement (OMSE), the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies Program (GSW), and the Center for Gender and Sexuality (CGS) as we celebrate Intersex Awareness Day with a viewing and discussion of a recent documentary. Discussion led by Akelah Reese, Assistant Director of OMSE.
Student Center Building, room 775
Thursday, Oct. 26, 3:30 to 5 p.m.: Health Equity and Access in Transgender Communities in a Time of Changing Policies
Wayne State University School of Social Work invites you to join us for a discussion of health equity and access in Detroit’s transgender communities. This event, the first of this year’s Edith Harris Lecture series, examines the changing landscape for health access for transgender communities in the U.S. and discusses innovations in health care organizations working to serve the needs of these communities.
The Thompson, Room 105 Multi-Purpose Room (4756 Cass Ave. Detroit, MI 48201)
Thursday, Oct. 26, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Candlelight Vigil in Recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Join the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education for a program and candlelight vigil to honor survivors and remember those who have lost their lives in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Student Center Building, room Hilberry D
Friday, Oct. 27, 5 to 9 p.m.: Halloween Murder Mystery Party
Join CAMP for our second-annual Murder Mystery Party! This year, we are going all-out with a roaring 20s theme, so come dressed up in your best costumes and join us on a thrilling speakeasy adventure! Bring your own food, and try your best to survive the entire night.
Student Center Building, room 009
Please RSVP to these events using the Get Involved platform where information will be regularly updated. If you have any questions please reach out to Dr. Michael Schmidt, m.schmidt@wayne.edu or Blair Baker, blairbaker1@wayne.edu.