Several student organizations across USAO will hold a pride party in honor of National Coming Out Day. The Coming Out Party will be hosted Thursday, Oct. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Alumni House. The event will host a raffle, games, chalk art, karaoke, and Just Dance.
The Coming Out Party was inspired by second-year English major Coy Harrill, who works in the USAO’s Alumni Department. He initially suggested it happen over the summer when other pride events were happening. Faculty cannot plan events like these, meaning it had to be student-led. With summer being so busy for many students, it was difficult to coordinate planning it and it was decided to hold it in October, in time for National Coming Out Day.
Landon Cristal, co-president of PRISM, a club dedicated to inclusivity and destigmatizing sexual orientation and gender, believes queer people should be proud of themselves year-round, not just in June.
“I think pride events are really needed right now to encourage people, especially in the community.” Cristal said.
Coming from a rural Oklahoma town, Cristal did not see many pride events and felt like they didn’t discover who they were until high school. They want the party to become an annual event, not just for students, but for alumni as well.
Harry Cracknell, president of USAO’s Student Government Association, a student advocacy organization, said he believes pride is important for everyone.
“In the past, we’ve not had those opportunities to do that, so nowadays, it’s nice to see that we can celebrate each other for our differences,” Cracknell said.
For more information on how to help out, email Cristal at lchr4918@usao.edu.
Malik Roberts is a second-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
