![\"\"](\"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/comingoutweek-1.jpg\" "\\"Untitled\\"")
<\/a>The event, which is produced by the LGBT+ Resource Center in collaboration with the SPECTRUM student organization, is one of four to celebrate UCCS\u2019s Coming Out Week.<\/p>\n\u201cComing Out Week is our chance to celebrate the LGBT+ community and to show how inclusive UCCS is,\u201d Vanessa Delgado, program director, Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community said. \u201cWe want to let LGBT+ students and community members that they\u2019re not alone on this campus, and that we, as faculty and staff members, are supportive and welcoming.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Delgado, LGBT+ is the only social identifier that crosses all categories of difference within our community.<\/p>\n
\u201cLGBT+ members are the people in your classrooms and offices, whether they\u2019re students, teachers or staff,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Coming Out Week will kick off with Safe Zone Training at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 in UC 116. Participants will learn about the coming out process, how to combat homophobia and techniques to make UCCS a safe and affirming environment for LGBT+ students, friends, family and colleagues.<\/p>\n
A Healthy Relationships Workshop will take place at 12 p.m. on Oct. 9 in the Upper Lodge. The workshop is sponsored UCCS Respect on Campus and will focus on how trust, respect and communication can positively influence relationships.<\/p>\n
LGBT+ faculty, staff and students are invited to will share their stories with local high school LGBT groups during Buddy Night: Coming Out Stories at 6 p.m. on Oct. 9 in UC 301.<\/p>\n
The week\u2019s events will conclude on Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day, with a Guess Who\u2019s Gay Panel. During the event, six panelists will be asked questions while audience members try and guess their sexual orientation based on their answers.<\/p>\n
According to Delgado the event helps to break down stereotypes surrounding the LGBT community.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people have a preconceived notion as to what LGBT+ community members look and act like,\u201d Delgado said. \u201cThis is a fun and interactive way to educate people that not all stereotypes are true.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information about the UCCS LGBT+ Resources Center, visit: www.uccs.edu\/lgbtresourcecenter<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"