Students gathered on the campus green under a variety of pride flags Tuesday as various campus organizations handed out information and goodies to students about UAB’s services and organizations for LGBTQ individuals.
This small tabling event is the start of a week of events called Coming Out on the Green. In addition to Tuesday’s activities, there will be a discussion on the history of ball, a virtual SafeZone training and a drag ball.
The event was cohosted by Queer Peers, Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs, SafeZone, the Social Justice Advocacy Council, and Aura Literary Arts Magazine.
Beyond just the organization information, attendees had the opportunity to pick up condoms and t-shirts, create rainbow art with Arua and receive popsicles from Steel City Pops.
Queer Peers co-lead Maeve Franklin said the event is an important to showing the community on campus.
“I think visibility is one of the most important things we do on campus as an organization. Visibility on campus is something we can do to say we’re here, we’re loud, we’re queer, we’re proud, and we are a part of this UAB community,” said Franklin, a senior majoring in political science and international relations.
Further events later in the week will highlight queer communities of color, particularly ballroom culture.
“We want to take the time to acknowledge how much queer people of color have brought to our community,” said Franklin.
Attendee Zakiyyah Harris, an undeclared freshman, stumbled upon the event and decided to visit the booths after seeing the Pride Flags. She said that this event is an important step for visibility.
“I know they’re at this event, so they support the LGBTQ community,” said Smith.
At a booth for the 1917 Clinic, students were able to pick up sexual health bags that promote safer sex. Zachary Watson, a graduate student majoring in public health working the table, said the event represents an important aspect of the UAB community.
“[Coming Out on the Green] represents something so unique about the diversity of our institution that we’re willing to celebrate LGBTQ lives and experiences,” Watson said. “If we didn’t have something like Coming Out on the Green, we would miss a whole lot of…this togetherness.”
Beyond the tabling, a history of ball discussion with drag queen Cierra Symone Campbell will be held on Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. in Hill Center 204/206, a virtual SafeZone training will be held on Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Zoom and the Coming Out on the Green drag ball will be held on Friday from 6 to 7: 30 p.m. in the Hill Center ampitheatre to finish off the week’s events.
