National Coming Out Day
October 11 is National Coming Out Day. If you can't get to our UMM Coming Out Party and Celebration, Thursday October 9, 2008 at 7pm and enjoy cake, music, politics, open mic...please check out this website!
It contains a gallery of coming out stories from youth, men, women, later in life, spouses, and trans.
The 100% Society's Coming Out Party, Thursday October 9th, had it all - a lesbian singer-songwriter, politics, belly dancing, coming out stories at open mic, and a fabulous donated Rainbow Cake with an open closet door--- seriously! UMM, we're small but we're wiry! About 30 people turned out to support and celebrate national coming out day. There was even a bit of a homecoming feel as two former 100% Society presidents traveled from southern Maine to celebrate.
We heard about local, state, and national elections. We were mesmerized by the belly dancing of the UMM Divas. Several brave souls shared their coming out stories and though they were all different, the uplifting theme was that while it is awkward and uncomfortable, coming out is usually not as bad as we think it will be and that it is so much better to be out than in. We thoroughly enjoyed Bangor's own Jessi Mallory, her music, singing, and highly entertaining banter!! We have mad love for Jessi, this was her 4th appearance for our events. The crowd even sang a little for her!
It was a great evening and we're currently working on a few other events that bring recognition and support for the many for whom coming out has resulted in ridicule, harm, or even death. Our next event is our first annual candle light vigil for the Transgender Day of Remembrance, Thursday 7pm November 20th. We're also planning for our second annual Rainbow Ball, Saturday April 11th 2009. We have to start planning early as we reach out to high school and youth across the state of Maine who aren?t allowed to come as they are to school or prom.
