Coming Out Week: October 10-14, 2022
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), and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI).
Monday, Oct. 10
11 a.m. to noon: Coming Out Week Coloring and Crafting
Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies Program (GSW) hosts a coloring and crafting party.
GSW Office—5057 Woodward, room 9204
3 to 4 p.m.: Color Me Queer
Join the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies Program for a viewing of The Whistle and Where My Girls + themed coloring.
5057 Woodward, 10th floor, room 10302
7 to 9 p.m.: Charades and Game Night
Feminist Leaders on Campus (FLOC) at Wayne State University host a charades and game night.
Student Center Building Room 010
Tuesday, Oct. 11
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Coming Out Day tabling by student orgs
The Queer Creative Guild 11-12; JIGSAW 3-4
Student Center Building
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: W'SUP Resource Table and HIV Testing
The Wayne State University Prevention (W'SUP) team will be offering HIV testing and resources to our campus community.
Student Center Building, room 279
2 to 3 p.m.: Office of Teaching and Learning's "Amplifying Student Voices—LGBTQ panel"
Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) hosts a panel of students to discuss their experiences in the classroom and the broader WSU community.
2 to 4 p.m.: Coming Out Week Cat Cuddles
Join us for the company of cats and kittens. Luxuriate in the majesty of our feline friends.
As a mid-semester break, volunteers from Detroit Community Cat Rescue will bring to the GSW Office several cats and kittens for consensual cuddles and play.
GSW Office—5057 Woodward, room 9204
4 to 5 p.m.: Graduate Student Works in Progress Workshop series
Jamie McQuaid presents "Coming Out at Work: Queer Union Advocacy in American Labor History." Hosted by the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies Program.
5057 Woodward, 10th floor, room 10302
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Open Mic
Please join us for a Coming Out Week Open Mic event. Share a creative work or a coming out experience. Or join us to luxuriate in community and to support those who share.
This event is hosted by the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Program's Learning Community.
Student Center Building, Hilberry E
Wednesday, Oct. 12
Noon to 4 p.m.: Pumpkin Fest
Join JIGSAW (Joining Intersectionality, Gender, Sexuality, and Allies at Wayne) and Queer Creators Guild for games, mini pumpkin carving, and a community art piece.
St. Andrew's Lawn
1 to 2 p.m.: LGBTQ+ Let's Talk
In Person & Virtual
Let's Talk is a CAPS program that provides informal, free, confidential consultations to all registered WSU students. No appointment is necessary! The counselor will listen closely to your concerns and provide support, perspective, and suggestions for resources.
4 to 6 p.m.: Paint Your Flag With SWQA
Come celebrate with the Social Work Queer Alliance for Coming Out Week and paint your pride flag(s)!! We will have supplies provided, so please RSVP to ensure a canvas.
School of Social Work, Community Room
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Latinx/Hispanic Movers and Shakers in the LGBTQ+ Community in TV & Film
Join OMSE, GSW, and the Latinx Student Organization for a watch party of Visions of Us: LGBTQ+ Latine Representation in TV & Film, a mini-documentary, as we celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. We will watch Episode 2 of the short documentary and have a discussion on the representation of LGBTQ+ Latinx/Hispanic actors in TV and film. You don't have to have attended the other events to attend this one!
Multipurpose Room, Student Center Room 775
Thursday, Oct. 13
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: W'SUP Resource Table and HIV Testing
The Wayne State University Prevention (W'SUP) team will be offering HIV testing and resources to our campus community.
Student Center Building, room 279
3pm to 3:45pm: Leftist Queer Collective hosts a Coming Out Stories Roundtable
The Leftist Queer Collective is hosting a round table discussion exploring the motivations and consequences of coming out. We seek dialogue on the personal and political consequences of coming out. We invite conversations based in academic theory, political strategy, and individual experience. Personal stories are welcome but not required. Join us for an engaging and inclusive discussion! We will have snacks and drinks; RSVP is required.
4 to 6 p.m.: QWSU Social
Employees only: Come join QWSU for an employee social hour to enjoy and celebrate Coming Out Week! Any WSU employee is welcome to attend!
Common Pub
Friday, Oct. 14
Noon to 1 p.m.: Coming Out Karaoke
OMSE Multipurpose Room—7th floor Student Center
Come belt out your favorite tunes with OMSE in celebration of Coming Out Week. Singing of all abilities or enthusiastic lip-synching performances welcome!
SAVE THE DATES!
Monday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Transgender Health Equity and the Law Symposium
This symposium will unveil a special issue of the Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics (JLME) devoted to Transgender Health Equity and the Law, with panels from authors and local researchers on a broad array of topics impacting transgender populations.
Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium
Wednesday, Oct. 19: International Pronouns 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 between 11:00am and 1:00pm to pick up a pronoun pin or create your own with our pin maker.
You can also stop at the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement (799 Student Center Building) from 4-6pm for pins.
GSW Office—5057 Woodward, room 9204
https://getinvolved.wayne.edu/event/8283627
https://getinvolved.wayne.edu/event/8283686
Monday, Oct, 31, at 3 p.m.: Queer Horror Short Films
Before heading out for Halloween night, join the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Program for a screening of queer horror short films. The films are so scary, we can't even tell you about them. We'll have Halloween crafting supplies, too. Space is limited, so please RSVP.
Monday, Nov. 14: Artist Talk with Jesse Freidin: Photographing the Nation's Trans Youth
Focusing on his current series entitled "Are You OK?" Jesse Freidin will discuss the collaborative process of documenting familial love and acceptance amidst the current wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping the country.
This event is s made possible through the Dr. Thomas Klein Gender and Sexuality Speaker Series and is free and open to the public on Zoom.
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.