Coming Out Day

Mohawk Valley Community College invites all to attend the 30th annual National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11.

UTICA, N.Y. >> Mohawk Valley Community College will mark the 30th anniversary of National Coming OutDay on Thursday, Oct. 11, at the College’s Utica Campus. All are welcome to attend.

Every year on National Coming Out Day, people across the U.S. celebrate coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), or as an ally.

MVCC’s event, sponsored by the College’s LGBTQ Committee, will include an exhibit of photos and the coming-out stories of MVCC students, faculty, and staff from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Alumni College Center Commons at the College’s Utica Campus. Supportive community organizations, including the YWCA, ACRHealth, and Planned Parenthood, will be on hand to provide information. Refreshments will be available.

Then at 6 p.m., the Rev. Stacey Midge, pastor at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, will give the talk, “Queer and Christian?” in Alumni College Center room 116. Is it possible to be LGBTQ+ and hold strong religious faith? Midge is one of several inclusive Christians who says, “Absolutely!” She has also served in congregations in New York state where LGBTQ+ people are welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated. She will talk about compassionate and faithful ways to address questions of sexuality in the church, and how to nurture an inclusive faith if you are LGBTQ+ or an ally.

For more information on this event, call 315-792-5429. Formore information on National Coming Out Day, visit www.hrc.org/resources/national-coming-out-day.