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From the Dean
I am writing to call your attention to the annual celebration of
National Coming Out Day on October 13. Since 1987, this has been
a day for gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgendered individuals
to celebrate their identity. It is also an opportunity for others,
regardless of sexual orientation, to show support for the lesbians, gays,
bisexuals, and transgendered among our faculty, staff, and students,
who are to be respected as individuals who make valuable
contributions to the life of the school and to the greater community.
On Tuesday, October 13, members of our staff and student body will distribute pink triangles and rainbow flags at an information table at the entrance of the Kresge Building. The pink triangle was first used as a symbol by the Nazi regime to stigmatize homosexuals. Now, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered persons use the pink triangle as a sign of empowerment, while remembering that it originated as a target for persecution.
The six-striped rainbow flag was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker of San Francisco as a symbol of gay and lesbian community pride. It has since been adopted by worldwide audiences as a colorful alternative to the pink triangle.
I invite members of the HSPH community to express solidarity with our colleagues by wearing either of these symbols of pride during the celebration of National Coming Out Day.
