October 11 is National Coming Out Day in Canada
Its roots lie in the U.S. National Coming Out Day, established in 1988, which was the second anniversary of the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights. This day can serve as a form of activism and a means to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ identities, decrease stigma, increase awareness, and advocate for change. For some 2SLGBTQ+ folks this day is an opportunity to celebrate their identities publicly.
Coming out is an expression that describes a process of socially acknowledging one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Coming out can provide space and opportunity for some 2SLGBTQ+ folks to define their identities and lived experiences on their own terms, with their own agency. On this day, many members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community may choose to actively ‘come out’ on social media to a few people in their lives, or just to themselves. Coming out looks and feels differently to each person.
And we recognize that coming out safely, or even coming out in general, is not always an option for all, nor is it an action everyone wants to take. There is growing acknowledgement that coming out places undue pressure on members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Many 2SLGBTQ+ folks who are also Black, Indigenous, or are a Person of Colour note that the concept of coming out has been a framework that has historically been useful for Western society. But the narrowness of the concept and the language used to describe it are not always reflective of the 2SLGBTQ+ community at large. Coming out is not a required process for 2SLGBTQ+ folks – queer and trans identities are valid regardless of whether others know this about someone or not.
This National Coming Out Day, we celebrate the diversity of 2SLGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff in our community, and honour and support those who have come out, those who will come out today, and those who cannot or choose not to.
Today is an excellent opportunity for all #UWaterloo community members to consider the ways each of us can make our learning and working spaces safe(r), more welcoming, and more inclusive to members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
University of Waterloo Resources
Pride at Waterloo Resources Webpage
Visit the Pride at Waterloo Resources Webpage to explore supports, resources, community, and educational tools.
Equity Office
The Equity Office works with students, faculty and staff across campus to advance equity through evidence-based policies, practices and programs.
Conflict Management and Human Rights Office (CMAHRO)
The Conflict Management and Human Rights Office acts as a focal point and resource to all members of the university community regarding matters of harassment, discrimination, and other general forms of conflict.
Campus Groups
Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity
Glow is a WUSA service that promotes a healthy attitude towards all sexual orientations and gender identities on campus by providing a wide variety of peer support, social events, advocacy work, and resources. They offer an Incident Report Form to report incidences of feeling unsafe or uncomfortable.
Women’s Centre
The Women’s Centre is a WUSA service run by student volunteers and aims to create a positive and safe space for students of all genders, with a special focus on women and trans folks.
QTPOC-KW
QTPOC-KW hosts monthly events for people who are in the 2SLGBTQ+ community and are BIPOC with the goal of building and nurturing a more resilient community.
EngiQueers
EngiQueers is a drop-in, anonymous chapter of the EngiQueers Canada that focuses on connecting and supporting 2SLGBTQ+ students in engineering at the University of Waterloo, and beyond.
UW Drag Club
The UW Drag Club is a space for members to explore and enjoy drag culture and performance, through discussions on drag-related topics, learning about performance techniques, and putting on drag performances.
Gender and Sexual Diversity Working Group
The Gender and Sexual Diversity Working Group operates under the Provost’s Advisory Committee and is supported by the Equity Office. They seek to address issues relating to equity, gender, and sexual identity. The working group is open to the campus community of students, faculty, and staff.
Campus Wellness Resources
Queer and Trans Graduate Students Wellness (QTWELL)
QTWELL is an open, drop-in group, for any graduate student is who a sexual and gender minority or identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Local Community Supports
Spectrum: Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space
Spectrum is Waterloo's LGBTQ+/Rainbow community space. They offer details on programming, social groups, special projects, research, events, resources, and more.
Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition
The Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition is a volunteer-based community association that acts as a central hub for the local Rainbow community.
tri-Pride Community Association
tri-Pride is a community organization that celebrates Pride and diversity in the Kitchener- Waterloo and Cambridge region.
OK2BME
OK2BME is a set of support services for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in the Waterloo Region.
Gender Variant Working Group
The Gender Variant Working Group works to create a thriving community that fully includes gender variance by building awareness and education in the Waterloo Region
AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo Area (ACCKWA)
ACCKWA is a queer-led, queer-focused organization that centers harm prevention, health promotion, anti-stigma work and inclusion for multiple marginalized communities. They work toward a future where new HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually-transmitted or blood-borne infections are rare in Waterloo Region.