Portland Local Guide To National Coming Out Day Events

published in Just Out

The event was founded in 1988, the date (October 11) chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987.

Locally, there’s lots of ways in which you can mark the day (Q Center kicked things off this past weekend with the Night of 100 Dinners). Just Out contributor Aaron Spencer gives a rundown of options in the current issue. His preview follows:

National Coming Out Day Prayer Breakfast

Start your National Coming Out Day with a prayer breakfast hosted by the Community of Welcoming Congregations, the Oregon nonprofit collective of LGBTQ-welcoming spiritual organizations. The event is an opportunity for LGBTQ individuals to come out as people of faith, says the Rev. Tara Wilkins, CWC president. Local religious leaders will be on hand to speak.

Tues., Oct. 11, 8:30-10 a.m.; Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Ave.; free, but donations encouraged; welcomingcongregations.org.

Count On Me/National Coming Out Day 2011 Community Event

The nonprofit that runs Portland Pride, Pride Northwest, is holding an event at Skidmore Fountain on National Coming Out Day to launch the “Count On Me” campaign. The effort is meant to raise awareness of resources available to the LGBTQ community to combat and deal with violence and harassment. Partners in the campaign include the Sexual Minorities Roundtable, the Mayor’s Office of Safety & Peacekeeping, Equity Foundation, Basic Rights Oregon, Cascade AIDS Project, the Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Resource Center and the PFLAG Portland Black Chapter.

Tues., Oct. 11, 6 p.m.; Skidmore Fountain at SW Ankeny St. and First Ave.; pridenw.com.

Coming Out Day Intergenerational Event

LGBTQ senior citizens will share coming out stories with LGBTQ homeless youth the evening of National Coming Out Day. Outside In, the nonprofit for homeless youth, and Gay & Grey, a program for LGBTQ seniors by the nonprofit Friendly House, are partnering for the event. Outside In’s program Queerzone targets the many youth who have been kicked out of their homes for coming out to their families.

Tues., Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m.; Outside In, 1132 SW 13th Ave.; free; outsidein.org.

Portland State University’s National Coming Out Week

Portland State University’s Queer Resource Center has a week full of events to commemorate National Coming Day, from a coffee klatch to karaoke. All of the events will be held in Smith Memorial Student Union and are open to the public.

*Tues., Oct. 11, noon-9 p.m.: A trans coffee hour (noon-1 p.m.) in the QRC offices provides an opportunity to meet and mingle with genderqueer people. Then head to the Queeries Coming Out Panel in rooms 228-29 to hear students tell their stories (2-3 p.m.). Afterward, from 3 to 5 p.m., you’ll have a chance to share your own coming out story, whether it’s on camera, written or through art. You’ll also be provided with supplies to make a special coming out T-shirt. The space will be reserved for transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals from 4:30 to 5 p.m. And from 7 to 9 p.m., stay to watch Paris is Burning, the 1990 documentary about drag nights among New York’s underclass.

*Wed., Oct. 12, 3-7 p.m.: Attend a panel on health care for transgender people from 3 to 5 p.m. in room 236. Afterward, stay for “Toys in the Closet,” an informative program on condoms, lube and more.

* Fri., Oct. 14, 7-10 p.m.: End the week with a dance party and karaoke outside the student union at the South Park Blocks.

Mon., Oct. 10-Fri., Oct. 14; 1825 SW Broadway; free; qrc.pdx.edu.

–Aaron Spencer

Tags: LGBT events in Portland, national coming out day 2011, OR, Portland Oregon national coming out day events