Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
This week was National Coming Out Week. Probably the most visible aspect of Coming Out Week are the pro-Queer chalkings found across campus, some of which are pictured above.
These chalkings have been contentious in the past, both in relatively recent memory and off and on since their origin in the eighties. When “lesbian graffiti” first showed up in 1986, it was met with messages such as “Kill the fags” on the Gay/Lesbian Union meeting room as well as widespread condemnation for “vandalizing” public property. The Gazette published an extensive history of the chalkings four years ago; the lengthy Queer history of Swarthmore might also be of interest.
Other events this week have included a candlelight vigil memorializing Queer suicides, a sexuality-oriented Pizza and Parables meeting, a lecture and a QSA meeting on marriage equality, a Sharples takeover, and a Coming Out Week-themed Pub Nite.
Today will feature a queer faculty/staff and student luncheon in the Big IC room (closed to those identifying as queer); queer Shabbat, a COLORS dinner for those identifying as queer and of color, and open mic night in Olde Club at 8pm. The week will wrap up with a QSA Parlor Party and a Paces party on Saturday.