News & Events

College observes National Coming Out Day

Penn State Berks will observe National Coming Out Day with two events on Monday, October 11, 2010.  During the day, the Rainbow Alliance will display information in the Perkins Student Center on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning, and Allied (LGBTQA) community. Later that evening, Campus Life is hosting a lecture titled "Joe & Bill: When the Gays Move into Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" at 8:00 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Rainbow Alliance will display information on stages of coming out, how to become an ally, and how to become a member of Rainbow Alliance. They are currently accepting anonymous submissions of personal stories from students, faculty, and staff. For information or to submit your story, contact Karen Kihurani at 610-396-6080 or via e-mail at kek5@psu.edu.

Later that evening, join Joe Bertolino and Bil Leipold for their program in which they explore the realities and human dimensions of living in a world of heterosexual privilege. Drawing on their experiences as fraternity men and student affairs professionals, as well as their experiences with their families and the dynamics of their own relationship, Bertolino and Leipold present this difficult topic in a humorous, interactive, and challenging style that gets students and community members thinking about homophobia, heterosexism, and diversity from a new perspective.

The presentation is part of the college's Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.