FRIDAY.OCT.5,2001
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Coming Out Day offers support, shows open-minded community
By Paul Smith Kansan staff writer
When Laura Hatwell "came out of the closet," it was more like she fell out of the closet and banged her head on the floor.
"But I'm so glad I did," said Hatwell, Stirling, Scotland, junior.
Hatwell said she disclosed her homosexuality to a small queer community in Stirling on National Coming Out Day, which falls on Oct. 11 each year.
"I actually didn't know it was Coming Out Day," Hatwell said. "Someone just told me later."
KU Queers and Allies will sponsor activities next week to publicize National Coming Out Day, said C.J. Snow, Lawrence freshman and co-director of the student organization.
"People need to know that if they choose this week to come out that they will find a flood of support from 'out-people' and other people who are going through the same thing this week." Snowsaid.
Vanessa Hays, Topeka sophmore and Queers and Allies member, said this amount of support may be lacking at other times of the year.
"We're doing all these social events to present an exciting, open community and an immediate network of support that they can join." Haws said.
National Coming Out Week events include a seminar about homophobia, an amateur drag show and a social dance at the
Hatwell said that community support was essential when taking the first step out of the closet.
Teepee Junction, U.S. Highways 24 and 40.
"My community back in Stirling became like my family. I don't think I would've survived without them." Hatwell said, especially because her parents were unsupportive.
Marcia Epstein, director of the Headquarters Counseling Center, said the center takes phone calls dealing with questions of sexuality all the time but no more than usual around National Coming Out Day.
She said that the Queers and Allies annual awareness campaign had a positive effect on the community.
"With affirmation activities, there's less reason for people to need our kind of support because they're getting it in a more public way." Erstein said.
Hays said that the Coming Out Week activities were meant to give closed individuals an excuse to openly acknowledge their sexuality.
Hatwell admitted to feeling more free since she came out.
"Denying a basic part of who you are is detrimental to your life and keeps you from being happy." Havs said.
"I'm out to everyone," she said. "There are no more secrets in my life, and that's the important thing."
Contact Smith at 864-4810
Coming Out events
Monday: A seminar,
"How Homophobia Hurts Us All," by Robert Minor, professor of religious studies, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the basement of Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave. $5 for students and $8 for nonstudents.
■ Tuesday: A social gathering at 10 p.m. at Teller's, 746 Massachusetts St. Queers and Allies will have a table from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kansas Union.
Wednesday: Pre-coming out amateur drag show at Tremors Night Club, 729 New Hampshire St., 11 p.m.
Queers and Allies will have a table from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kansas Union.
■ Thursday: National Coming Out Day. Queers and Allies will have a table from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Wescoe Beach.
Friday; Social dance at 10 p.m. at the Teepee Junction, U.S. Highways 24 and 40. $3 per person.
Blood drive likely to reach goal
By Jeremy Clarkson Kansan staff writer
Students who want to donate blood on campus will have their last chance today.
The blood drive, sponsored by the American Red Cross and the Community Blood Center, will be at Allen Fieldhouse and Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin Hall.
Judy Stewart, team supervisor at the Red Cross, said the goal for the blood drive was to receive 1,200 pints of blood between the two locations. Stewart said she was confident the goal would be reached by the end the day.
"Our goal each day was 100 donors, and we have gone over each day," she said.
Stewart said part of the reason the blood drive had been successful was the Sept. 11 tragedies.
"This is something that will make them feel good about contributing," Stewart said.
Stewart said the volunteers
also were responsible for the blood drive's success.
Linda Mah, donor room specialist collection supervisor for the Community Blood Center, said she was pleased with the amount of blood collected at McCollum Hall. She estimated about 125 people donated blood yesterday, and she had high expectations for today.
Kevin Parks, Bonner Springs sophomore, said he donated blood for the first time yesterday. He said he initially had no intention of donating blood, but his friends talked him into going with them.
Mah said she was thankful to see first-time donors during the week.
"We do hope to have a lot of donors come back in December and January because that is when we will need blood again." Mah said.
Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin Hall, noon to 6 p.m. today
"Needles always freak me out,
Locations and times of the blood drive:
Allen Fieldhouse, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today
and I always get quacy around them." Parks said.
But he said he was pleased to give blood and planned to donate again.
Stewart said once the blood drive ended, the blood would be sent to local hospitals in the Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City areas. The remaining blood will be shipped to other cities, depending on their needs.
Contact Clarkson at 864-4810
GRIN AND BEAR IT
LAURIE SISK/KANSAN
Melanie Wallach, Pacific, Mo., sophomore, receives support from a teammate as she prepares to donate blood to the Red Cross. Wallach, a member of the softball team and first-time donor, joined 11 of her teammates yesterday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse. Members of the team who did not pass screening guidelines stayed at the fieldhouse to support those who were able to donate. Red Cross officials said they nearly doubled their daily goal of 100 donors yesterday.
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