Feature Image Caption: GSA Faculty Advisor Elizabeth Turner, President Kat Doty, and member Alexis Marvin stand in front of the GSA National Coming Out Day Celebration in the quad.
BY KATI RIVERA
Student Engagement partnered with the Gender and Sexuality Alliance club to celebrate National Coming Out Day on Tuesday. GSA member Brenna Koehler said GSA acts as an advocate for students who are unable to advocate for themselves.
For the event, GSA set up a rainbow-decorated door and table for students to take pictures or learn more about what GSA does to bring awareness to campus. GSA President Kat Doty said her goal for the event was to bring awareness to the LGBTQ+ community on campus and promote the social aspect of joining GSA.
FHSU student and event attendee Marisa Moore said having an event that recognizes National Coming Out Day allows students to be their authentic selves.
“Fort Hays, in general, does a really great job at supporting their student regardless of the different demographics and shows that all their Tigers matter,” Moore said.
FHSU senior Jayden Siebert also commented on how important National Coming Out Day is to her.
“National Coming Out Day means a great deal to me. Not only because I am a part of the LGBTQ+ community, but because it brings me joy to think that there’s a day out there where individuals can celebrate out loud or just to themselves,” Siebert said.
National Coming Out Day can be a huge relief for students that may or may not be public with their gender or sexuality. Celebrating a day like this gives students a safe space to live the way they may choose to. Siebert gives advice to students saying, there is no right or wrong way to celebrate days like this.
“If you are someone who isn’t ready to come out yet but is feeling the pressure by your friends to do so, check in a make sure those are the types of people you want to surround yourself with,” Seibert said. “If you are with the right person or group, they will celebrate you the way you want to celebrate.”
GSA meets every Monday evening at 7 p.m. in Forsyth Library. Those who are interested can also stay updated with their events on TigerLink, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.