ISU Pride To Celebrate Coming Out Day

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, a special day for people who are part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer communities. Coming out is not easy for the LGBTQ community and is often times a topic that individuals have to deal with on a daily basis. National Coming Out Day brings an opportunity to celebrate those who have come out against, sometimes, great odds.

Danny Mathews, a specialist in Diversity Advocacy says, “Recognition and discussion of National Coming Out Day is important because it lets those who may be struggling with aspects of their identity know there is a community of support here on campus.”

In addition to recognizing National Coming Out Day, Illinois State University also has a Pride group. Pride is a student group which strives to provide a safe social and educational atmosphere for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer individuals on campus.

Sophomore Lucas Stiegman states, “Having a support system on campus, whether it be a Pride group, counseling services, friends, family, LGBT classes, or even Safe Zones, give those who may struggle with their gender identity or sexuality a feeling of validation and security.”

Visit Pride’s Facebook page on October 11 to learn more about National Coming Out Day and to hear other Illinois State students share their coming out stories. Meanwhile, Pride's 5th Annual Bonfire is tonight.

Lavender Graduation Marks 'Tremendous Progress' by LGBT Students

Barb Dallinger (Photos by ISU)

Barb Dallinger, associate director of the Bone Student Center and former sponsor of the campus group Pride, told participants in the recent Illinois State University Lavender Graduation to “go out there and change the world."  It was ISU's first special ceremony devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied graduates.

Art Munin, assistant vice president and dean of students, said the ceremony wasn't only for the graduates specifically honored but also for LGBTQ students who might feel alone on campus who will learns about Lavender Graduation and realize, “You do matter. You do belong. You are ISU.”

Graduating senior Katie Schuette of Grayslake, this year's president of the Pride student organization, said having the Lavender Graduation at ISU “shows the progress we've made.” Dallinger displayed pictures of former students who were members of Pride, including pictures of their weddings and their children.

“We have made tremendous progress,” she said. “But never forget our history.”

Dallinger noted the university junior in Watterson Towers who, in 1978, was jumped, tied to a chair, gagged, and locked in a room until a gay friend let her out four hours later. That junior was Dallinger, “and I didn't tell a soul until Pride Day in 1995."

Twenty-four students participated in the ceremony. They passed a rainbow pride flag, crossed a stage with balloons the color of the rainbow, and received a rainbow cord they can wear at the university graduation.

Graduate student Aric Faulkner, who helped lead the effort for a Lavender Graduation at ISU, said he was hoping for at least 10 participants, knowing that the nation's first Lavender Graduation — at the University of Michigan — had only three.

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to share this moment with other graduates,” said Faulkner, who will receive a master's degree in college student personnel administration. “Our voices are being heard.”

ISU President Larry Dietz said he was honored to congratulate the students "for your academic achievements, and to recognize your many contributions to the greater community, the campus community and the LGBT community."