During the week of Oct. 11-15, the Queer and Allied Student Union will be hosting National Coming Out Day at the University of Wisconsin-Superior to provide information to students on topics concerning the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the hardships they experience.

In light of recent events, National Coming Out Day can't seem to come at a more appropriate and crucial time. It is an endeavor meant to empower individuals to come forth about their sexuality into a welcoming community, and learn that their lifestyle is something to be celebrated, rather than being viewed with negativity.  In the last month, a string of suicides have claimed the lives of several students, mainly in college and high school, who have been bullied for their possible sexual orientation.

According to The Harvard Crimson, these suicides have occurred in students ranging from college-level age to even as young as elementary school children. National Coming Out Day aids in creating a sanctuary for individuals much like these victims who have been ostracized for their beliefs, lifestyle and thoughts. It is one step toward being able to help prevent such tragic outcomes from re-occurring.

National Coming Out Day originally started as a day-long event, but now it has extended to encompass the full week surrounding the day. This has been occurring in numerous locations on a myriad of campuses throughout the nation. One of the promoters of this  cause is right on this campus. QASU has taken leaps and bounds to create an environment in which anyone from any type of background is able to find support and knowledge from their peers. One of the first major ways to promote this support has been through offering a multitude of events within this next week.

National Coming Out Day at UW-Superior has catered to a multitude of different individuals. QASU hopes to reach certain goals within this week through its events. The initial launch of events begins with the tabling taking place in the Yellowjacket Union throughout the week with the hopes of providing awareness for all students. It will intercede on things such as myths about and within the LGBT community, their struggles and discrimination. The events continue with QASU's Monday general meeting and a social ropes course challenge open to all students.

Wednesday's event is a seminar that delves deeper into the issues surrounding the LGBT community.

“Our goal of this seminar is to provide a learning experience in which students can become aware of the internal and external struggles of LGBT individuals and debunk myths of the LGBT community,” said QASU President Aaron Wainman. “With our coming out stories we hope to ease the anxiety of questioning students and allow for a comforting surrounding for them to speak freely.”

The seminar will focus on the more prevalent issues in the news today and aid students in creating a “safe zone” for others to benefit from.

Aaron and the rest of the QASU members believe that this is a chance to get their foot in the door and open the perspective of the student body at UW-Superior. This effort began last spring and, under new officers, continues to develop and provide this.

“UWS does not offer as much support on these pertinent issues as they could; however, there is a great potential and hope for the future,” Wainman said. “There is still a fair amount of tension that may go unseen by many students, but with organizations and departments such as QASU and Gender Equity we are able to provide preventative, eye-opening programs that immerse students in the world and the issues that adhere to it.”

For more information on the seminar or additional resources on campus, contact Aaron Wainman, president of QASU or Tammy Fanning, Director of the Gender Equity Program. Additional information regarding the surrounding community can be found by contacting Diana Hunter at dhunter@uwsuper.edu. For 24-hour help on a national level contact The Trevor Project hotline at 1-866-488-7386.