Early Celebrations of Coming Out Day at YDS
YDS Formally Celebrates Coming Out Day for the First Time (1992)
In 1992, the Coalition held their first formal celebration of National Coming Out Day at YDS. Coalition-sponsored events included a party in the YDS refectory with live music on Thursday, October 8th, along with a lunchtime panel on coming out hosted by the Coalition on Friday, October 9th.
This edition of the Gay/Lesbian/Straight (GLS) Coalition Chronicle was released on October 7, 1992 ahead of the first official celebrations of National Coming Out Day at YDS.
This flier advertises "Coming Out Day at the Fatted Cafe," a celebration with live music held in the Refectory in October of 1992 in honor of National Coming Out Day. The flier encourages attendees to "celebrate who [they] are."
Dear Theo...
Dear Theo is a longstanding Yale Divinity School tradition which gives current students the opportunity to write to the community through an open letter system. In the aftermath of the observance of National Coming Out Day by the YDS community in 1992, a series of Dear Theo letters emerged, written by students who expressed both support and opposition to these celebrations.
Coalition Service in Celebration of National Coming Out Day (October, 1996)
In October of 1996, the G/L/S/B Coalition organized and led a worship service in honor of National Coming Out Day. The service was held in the Divinity School's Marquand Chapel.
"Creator God, we ask that you guide and lead us every step of our journeys, and allow us to see your face through the pain and evil as well as through the times of joy and gladness. Amen."
-Group Prayer