University News

WIU LGBT*QA Resource Center to host Camp OUT Retreat Oct. 27-28

October 26, 2023

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MACOMB, IL - - The Western Illinois University's Multicultural LGBT*QA Resource Center will host a Camp OUT retreat at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27- Saturday, Oct. 28, at Hornfield Campus.

The event is in celebration of National Coming Out Day, which took place on Oct. 11. National Coming Out Day began as a day to recognize LGBT*QA rights and the importance of individuals embracing their true selves. The event welcomes participants to join team-building activities with members of the Hornfield staff along with enjoying inflatable big games and board games. In the evening there will also be a campfire and members can discuss their coming out experience.

"Camp OUT is an overnight opportunity for individuals of the LGBT*QA community and their allies to share their experiences and coming out stories," said LGBT*QA Graduate Assistant Janae' Patterson. "They will be writing their coming out stories and have the opportunity to burn them in the fire along with discussing if they want. Burning the story symbolizes the freedom of coming out and no longer having to carry the burden of not being out or being uncomfortable discussing their identity and gender expression."

I am extremely excited for Camp OUT as this is my first time planning and experiencing the event," Patterson said. "I hope that all the individuals have fun and feel supported by the event. And I hope to see a lot of friendly faces at our Trans* Awareness Week event starting November 6."

The LGBT*QA Resource Center advises Unity, the student organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and asexual (LGBT*QA) community on the Macomb campus, hosts several events each year to raise awareness. They also advise Chingonx Afrocentric Queers, an advocacy and social justice-based organization, along with Lambda Lavender Honor Society, an honor society for individuals who are advocates for the LGBT*QA community.

For more information on the LGBT*QA Resource Center or the event email lgbtqa@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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