On City College’s “Coming Out Week”

By: Dustin GrazianoPhoto By: Dustin Graziano, Graphic By: Katie Herchenroeder “Coming Out Week” was a series of events that took place at City College in recognition and support of the LGBTQ community. Participants at the events bonded together in an inclusive environment and embodied the amount of pride there is for the LGBTQ community at City College.On Tuesday, October 9, students gathered in the NAC Game Room for “Taco Tuesday Game Night,” sponsored by the Department of Student Life and Leadership. On National Coming Out Day, Thursday, October 11, there was an open panel discussion hosted by The LGBTQ+ Open Alliance, which highlighted experiences of navigating multiple identities in the workplace. A free movie screening of “Moonlight,” a story about human connection and self-discovery, was screened in the Hoffman Atrium on National Coming Out Day as well.Events culminated at The Towers at CCNY on the evening of Friday, October 12, where students came together to share their own coming out stories, as well as the stories of others. The Campus had a chance to talk to a few of the participants in Friday’s event and get a sense of the significance of “Coming Out Week.”“It’s awesome to bring something special to the community and dedicate a week to making people feel included,” said freshman Emma Fournier. “I came out using social media two years ago on Pride Day in June. I’m grateful to have had many people support me.”Lily Fremaux is a sophomore at City College and a Resident Assistant at the Towers. “We should celebrate being open and realize that some people aren’t in a place where they are able to be open. When I was coming out, I did have a few people close to me who were a bit skeptical at first, but over time and with discussion, they were able to understand,” shared Lily.“Coming out takes willpower and confidence. In my senior year of high school, my friend David told me that he was bisexual while we were going to get pizza. I asked him, ‘What does that have to do with getting pizza?’” said Sophie Davis student John Afif.