By Cindie Bridges

On October 18th, the University of Maryland’s Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy Office hosted its annual Queer Open Mic event in honor of National Coming Out Day. 

The organization invited queer voices to come “take part in the queer tradition of speaking out against authority,” as stated by the organizers.

Tables and chairs were set up all throughout Stamp’s Baltimore Room. The stage had been decorated with a pair of hastily hung pride flags and a multitude of speakers. A central mic stood in front of a raised chair, surrounded by all the technical gadgetry linked up by a complex mess of electrical cords.

Just in front of the stage, the chairs and tables were neatly arrayed for the audience to take their seats. One of the tables was covered in a white cloth and laden with popcorn bags, chips, soda, and cups. 

With 20 minutes until showtime, a small crowd had gathered. With eight minutes until showtime, the room was abuzz with the different melodies from the performers warming up.

The first act took to the stage. A two person band, Sandwich and the Ghost, presented their cover of “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea,” by Neutral Milk Hotel. The striking sound of the guitar strings mixed with a rhythmic beat was soon followed by a quieter yet still audible voice. When the song reached its end, the two were met with a huge round of applause.

Following the first act, seven more performers took the stage.  The band Sunset Avenue covered “Cyclone” by Sticky Fingers and the whole audience joined in for an impromptu karaoke of Elton John’s “Rocketman.”

Many people read poems covering a broad range of topics and emotions.

While the open mic itself was very casual and community focused in its nature, National Coming Out Day has become a somewhat divisive topic in the LGBTQ+ community. In recent years, the holiday has come under scrutiny by many in the community, sparking a debate among many queer folk as to whether it should be celebrated at all.

According to National Today, National Coming Out Day began afterthe March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights on October 11, 1987. Ever since, the Human Rights Campaign, an organization dedicated to achieving equality for LGBTQ+ identifying individuals as well as other marginalized groups, has kept the holiday going.

The holiday is meant to inspire and bring attention to what is one of the most difficult things queer folk are made to contend with: coming out to friends and family. 

However, to many in the LGBTQ+ community,  National Coming Out Day represents a divide in the community. There is a growing sentiment by some that the holiday encourages people to come out, even in unsafe situations. Multiple students and faculty members at the Queer Open Mic weighed in on the controversy, giving their takes on the matter.

“It depends on how it’s contextualized,” Jennifer Enriquez, a faculty organizer for the event, said. “It could be, like, pressure filled for some folks, or it could be a day that they get to celebrate themselves. I don’t necessarily see things as black and white, I think there’s always gonna be space for nuance when it comes to these experiences.”

Chuk Nwobi, a public health major and one of the members of Sunset Avenue, said he likes that the holiday can encourage people to come out. , “This is a day set aside for that. You don’t have to come out on this day, but it’s just a good opportunity to.”

Many people at the event agreed with Nwobi saying the holiday is important. “For some people, especially if there isn’t a good time and if there never will be like, a right time, then having the opportunity of ‘oh, there’s this day!’ could be a welcoming option,” said Miaa, a music performance major and one of the two members in the band Sandwich and the Ghost.

Although, many understood why the holiday is controversial.  Another one of the event coordinators, second year masters student in student affairs Joyce Seoyoung Jang, said, “I can understand how challenging it can be for folks who can’t come out for safety reasons. It’s nice to have that celebration, but it can also be really challenging for folks who can’t come out.”