The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Campus Center kicked off its annual Coming Out Week Monday night.
The week's events include speakers, movies, support groups and workshops throughout the week, a bonfire Thursday at Picnic Point and the Ten Percent Society's Coming Out Dance on Friday.
Eric Trekell, director of the LGBTCC, said he is looking forward to a media workshop sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The national organization analyzes images in the media regarding public figures or fictional characters who identify as LGBT, and how they relate to society.
\On Friday one thing we're really excited about is the media workshop sponsored by GLAAD,"" Trekell said. ""They're going to [speak] on how to recognize negative representations in the media, and how to challenge those and educate members of the media.""
Trekell said the number and variety of events are a good way to raise campus awareness of the LGBTCC.
""We put on programs in part to educate our own group and in part to educate people who are not part of our group,"" he said. ""We've got a blend of some educational things and some social activities, and certainly [non-LGBT] allies are invited to come to any of the social activities as well.""
UW-Madison senior Katherine Arner, said she plans to attend some of the events and feels the LGBTCC is a good resource for students year-round.
""They have a really great one-on-one mentoring program,"" Arner said. ""You meet with someone and talk to them and find out how they approached their parents, and how their experience was to try and gauge what not to say or how to bring it up.""
Max Camp, UW-Madison junior and Student Program Coordinator for the LGBTCC, said the events are important for all students who identify as LGBT to understand and support.
""Coming out is the process every LGBT person needs to go through to make the transition from being in the closet or uncomfortable with themselves to feeling more confident and assertive and comfortable with themselves,"" Camp said. ""Our goals for the week are to create an environment in which people are comfortable being honest and open with their sexuality, having allies create an environment that allows more people to be willing to come out about their sexuality and to increase LGBT visibility on campus and just have a good time.""
