National Coming Out Day is October 11th Posted Thursday, October 8, 2020 @ 4:18 PM National Coming Out Day is an annual awareness day that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals who are “coming out of the closet.“ This phrase stems from members of the LGBTQ+ community who are “coming out” to friends and family about their sexuality. This is a very big moment for many students, and UCF has several resources and services available to LGBTQ+ students who are seeking support. UCF LGBTQ+ Services shares opportunities and resources for the UCF population to “achieve the vision of a stronger, healthier, and more equitable world for LGBTQ+ people and its allies.” This office assists LGBTQ+ students and allies, while also serving as an entry point for anyone in search of resources regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity. This office also hosts several guides, awareness events, a mentoring program, and workshops year-round. Pride Commons is a great hang out spot located in Ferrell Commons for UCF students looking for resources, community, or another place to study. Students of all genders and sexual orientations are welcome here, and the location is staffed by Social Justice & Advocacy staff members, the Multicultural Student Center Executive Board, and student assistants. The Lavender Council is a student advisory board that serves as a liaison between students, faculty, and staff and LGBTQ+ Services. This group of student leaders work to make UCF a more accepting and welcoming campus by developing and advising on student-centered programs for members of the LGBTQ+ community. This council is yet another opportunity to make UCF a more equitable campus through programming and events aimed to educate the UCF community about issues regarding the LGBTQ+ community. UCF Housing Program Assistant Christopher Roberts is a big proponent of the services offered by LGBTQ+ Services. He is a mentor in the LGBTQ+ Alliance Mentorship Program, which connects students with a UCF LGBTQ+ staff or faculty member. Through this program, students have a mentor available on campus that’s ready to assist in development areas such as personal, academic, and professional. Christopher encourages residents to get involved in this program, stating “Having an older person that has gone through what you are currently going through can be a huge help. It is reassuring to know from someone’s firsthand experience that it does indeed get better.” Christopher was about 16 years old when he came out in high school. He had a teacher who was openly gay and able to serve as a mentor and safe space when needed. “I would not have had it any other way,” he stated, “I was able to share my story both in our school paper and a local paper in our community through articles I wrote about being an openly gay youth.” For anyone seeking advice on coming out, Christopher shared “I recommend only coming out when you feel you are truly ready. Start with people close to you that you know will be accepting and supportive, before telling others that you might be more nervous to tell (such as parents or other family members).” Christopher ended his advice with “Be prepared to not receive the reactions you were expecting, but that in time, people can come around. Just as you have had time to come to terms and process being gay, the people you tell may need the same time to process and come to terms with it.” Back