The LGBT Student Pride Union of Florida A&M University is not letting the recent surge of homophobia in the news get their spirits down. In fact, with the recent string of suicides and hate crimes covered in the news, the Union seems more determined to be active than ever.
The LGBT Student Pride Union is an organization made up of members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, as well as their supporters.
The goal of the organization is to raise awareness of the gay community and to provide an environment where members can simply be themselves without fear of judgment or rejection.
Monday was National Coming Out Day in the United States, marking the beginning of National Coming Out Week.
In recognition of the occasion, the Union will be hosting a Coming Out Stories Forum. This will be their first of the semester and is open to everyone.
Attendees will be given the opportunity to share stories of how they told family and friends about their sexual orientation and their experiences with “coming out of the closet.” It won’t be stuffy, though, the group assured. It’ll be a relaxed, laid-back environment.
The forum will take place Wednesday, Oct. 13, in room 300 of B. L. Perry from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“It will be really fun,” said the invitation to the event. “So come out and tell your friends…even the straight ones.”
Later in the week, the Union is going to bring National Coming Out Week to a close with LGBT Pride Day on the Set. It invites members of the LGBT community and those who support the cause to wear the pride colors and come celebrate on the Set.
“It was a debacle last year, and this year will be just as fun, if not better,” said the event description. “Wear you colors … and come out and celebrate with us.”
This will be FAMU’s second official Pride Day on the Set. The event will take place Friday, Oct. 15, from noon to 4 p.m.