Students, faculty, staff and area residents gathered yesterday at the Mayer Campus Center for a rally marking Tufts' observance of National Coming Out Day, sharing stories before what speakers called a historic turnout.
The celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) identity on campus this year came in the wake of a recent string of LGBT teen suicides nationwide. The event, hosted by the Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) in conjunction with the LGBT Center, featured speakers and a musical performance.
National Coming Out Day took place on Monday, but organizers scheduled the Tufts rally for Wednesday to avoid a conflict with the Columbus Day university holiday, according to QSA Co−president Simon Katz.
"We pushed it forward to make sure that everyone on campus, including faculty and staff, would be involved," Katz, a senior, said.
Rally organizers praised the high turnout for the event.
"I am so excited. It was the best show of support I've ever seen here at Tufts toward the LGBT community," LGBT Center Director Tom Bourdon said after the rally, which took place at noon on the campus center's lower patio. "I hope this is a sign of the direction the school is taking toward showing compassion and support toward all marginalized communities."
"There has never been a turnout like this" for National Coming Out Day, Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman told attendees.
Addressing the crowd, Adele Fleet Bacow said she and her husband, University President Lawrence Bacow, had received feedback about the rainbow banner now on display at Gifford House.
"Not all of those … reactions were positive, and that's very sad," Fleet Bacow said. "But I think being here today, on this bright sunny day, surrounded by all of you … says so much about what we are and what the future holds.
"There's a lot of work to be done, but there's a lot to be appreciative of as well," Bacow added.
State Rep. Carl Sciortino (LA '00), one of the few openly gay members of the state legislature, told the story of his positive undergraduate experience at Tufts.
"What I saw here on campus, and the courage that I see here today is heartwarming," Sciortino (D−Medford/Somerville) said.
Speaking at the rally, Bourdon asked attendees to observe a moment of silence for the victims of anti−LGBT bullying that committed suicide in the past month.
"I have never felt an energy like this on a National Coming Out Day before," Bourdon said. "I feel so lucky to work at a school like Tufts, where we have so many vibrant LGBT community members and allies."
Bourdon called on rally attendees to erase the use of homophobic language on campus, to foster openness with peers and family members, and to participate in events through the LGBT Center.
Faculty members, including Philosophy Department Chair Nancy Bauer and Assistant Professor of Music Stephan Pennington, also shared stories.
Other speakers at the rally affirmed their support for the campus LGBT community. University Chaplain David O'Leary and Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, Tufts Hillel's executive director, both spoke at the rally.
"If it doesn't bring more love into the world, it probably isn't religion," Summit told the crowd. "More people have to understand that this is not about tolerance. This is about embracing people's differences."
Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) Sgt. Christopher McGee spoke on behalf of TUPD. McGee encouraged students to report incidents and crimes without fear of discrimination or bias.
"We depend on the LGBT community here. You are one of the best communities at this place," Reitman said to attendees.
"Somebody said, ‘What would it be like if everybody were straight on this campus?' Well, the answer is, it would be boring," Reitman said, drawing cheers.
Reitman added that the university plans to examine the growing issue of cyber−bullying highlighted by the recent spate of highly publicized LGBT teen suicides.
Rally organizers opened up the microphone midway through the event, encouraging attendees to share their stories with the crowd. Students shared their own experiences with coming out, either as LGBT or as an ally. Students also addressed themes like confronting parents and experiencing homophobia.
Between speakers, musician Julia Weldon performed for the crowd. Weldon performed again later that evening at Brown and Brew as part of the continued Coming Out Day celebration.
Bourdon said current events played a role in increasing students' awareness of the issues. "I think people are starting to realize that this isn't just something that's out there — it impacts the lives of people on our campus every day," Bourdon said, referring to LGBT issues in light of the recent suicides. "If we're not all there to help create a safe environment, we're all at risk of experiencing the direct negative consequences on our own campus."
