California State University, Bakersfield is celebrating LGBTQ+ pride with several events being held throughout October.
The OUTober Pride Month 2021 celebration kicks off on Oct. 11 — National Coming Out Day — and lasts through Oct. 29. It is being held in conjunction with LGBT History Month, which celebrates the history and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
“It’s a great opportunity for the campus and our community to celebrate who individuals are regardless of who they love,” said Kris Grappendorf, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ affinity group. “It provides a resource for faculty, staff and students to come together and celebrate who they are and just feel proud and connected to others who are in the community on campus.”
The first major event of the month will be Expression Nights on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. on the Stockdale Room patio. During the event, attendees can tell their coming-out stories or express themselves in other ways.
“Coming out for individuals is a very big step, and one of the biggest challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals face is making that step,” she said.
Grappendorf hopes students who participate in the OUTober events will feel a sense of belonging at CSUB.
“It’s so important that students have a place where they feel welcomed and accepted, where you don’t have to fear for your safety and you can be proud of who you are,” she said.
Here’s a look at some of the OUTober events taking place this month:
Oct. 11: Expression Nights, 7 p.m. at the Stockdale Room Patio.
Oct. 12: “Pray Away” watch party and discussion, 5 p.m. via Zoom.
Oct. 14: Brown Bag Discussion: Support for Transgender Students in K-20 Classrooms, 12 p.m. via Zoom. Kahoot! Trivia Night, 6 p.m. via Zoom. Get your game on for an interactive evening to test your LGBTQ+ knowledge.
Oct. 15: Raise the Flag Ceremony, 8:30 a.m. at the Classroom Building Quad. Join our campus community in celebration of raising the Rainbow Flag in honor of OUTober. Paint Night, 7 p.m. via Zoom. Open to students, faculty and staff. Sign-ups are required. The first 60 sign-ups receive a free paint kit for themselves and a friend.
Oct. 18: Read Aloud LGBTQ+ Stories for Children, 4 p.m. via Zoom. Local middle school teacher Vanessa Zepeda will read “I Am Perfectly Designed” by Karamo Brown.
Oct. 20: Drag Queen Bingo with Cynthia Lee Fontaine, 7 p.m. via Zoom.
Oct. 23: CSUB Volleyball Pride Night Game, 7 p.m. at the Icardo Center.
Oct. 27: Voguing Dance Class, 7:30 p.m. in the SRC Solario Room. Learn how to Vogue with local dancers Jerrell Tyler and Jade Dalog.
Oct. 29: Drive-in Movie Night, 8 p.m. in Parking Lot I.
For the full schedule and Zoom links, visit the Campus Programming website.
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