By Danielle King
National Coming Out Day is celebrated on Oct 11 throughout the United States and the FCC Gender Sexuality Alliance Club hosted their own celebration.
According to the Human Rights Campaign website, National Coming Out Day was born on Oct. 11, 1987 when more than half a million people went to Washington D.C. to mark for lesbian and gay rights. This was the second march of it’s kind and created momentum for the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer) rights movement.
“Each year on Oct. 11, national coming out day continues to promote a safe world for LGBTQ individuals to live truthfully and openly,” the website states.
At FCC the LGBTQ community is represented by the GSA. Dereck Meyers, president of the club, says that the club was formally known as the Life Club and dissolved after a core group of students graduated.
“I brought it back,” said Meyers. The club reformed two weeks into the Fall 2016 semester and now has over 25 members.
“We want to create a safe place,” added Meyers.
“[This is a place where] you can find people like you,” added Jenna Barnson a FCC student and member of GSA.
Another member of the GSA who wished to only be named as Salem noted that their home was not supportive and that being part of the GSA offers the support that they need.
The GSA welcomes members of the LGBTQ community as well as straight supporters like Ethan Baranzell the vice president o the GSA. “We are all having a good time,” said Baranzell.
