National Coming Out Week!

It's National Coming Out Week, and there are a slew of events going on around Minnesota. Here are the ones I know about.

Tuesday, October 7

Be A Confident Sex Toy Shopper
Put on by the Smitten Kitten, this event should help you become more confident in shopping for sex toys.
Hosted by: Queer Student Cultural Center
Where: Queer Student Cultural Center
When: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Tretter Archive Tour
Officially titled "The Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies", the collection houses over 40,000 items, making it one of the largest GLBT history collections in the United States.The collection is international in scope and has materials in approximately 56 languages and a wide variety of media. It covers all time periods, from a 4,000-year-old phallic statuette from Egypt, up to current editions of GLBT periodicals.
Hosted by: Queer Student Cultural Center
Where: Elmer L. Andersen Library (West Bank, University of Minnesota)
When: 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Release party for "When I Knew," a compilation of current and former Carleton students coming out stories.
Hosted by: Carleton College Gender and Sexuality Center
Where: Gould Library Athenaeum
When: 5:00 pm

Wednesday, October 8

“Dude, that’s so gay”
A gender violence and prevention presentation by Jill Lipski, who is the Violence Prevention Education Coordinator of the Aurora Center. "This stems from The Green M&M Project as it examines violence and homophobia in cultural slang, media, and narrow definitions of gender to understand why rape and abuse are so prevalent. This presentation is focused on the connections between sexual assault / relationship violence and heterosexism. Participants learn how gender violence is normalized, tolerated, and reinforced and how homophobia makes it very difficult for victims of relationship violence to come forward."
Hosted by: Queer Student Cultural Center
Where: Queer Student Cultural Center (Coffman 205)
When: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Gaylexicon Panel Discussion
Tara and Willow. Hulkling and Wiccan. Captain Jack and...everyone? Join us for a lively discussion about GLBT characters and themes in all sorts of science fiction and fantasy. Literature, comics, movies and television, what are your favorite stories with a queer sensibility to them?
Hosted by: Queer Student Cultural Center
Where: Presidential Room - Coffman Memorial Union
When: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

College NIght-Speed Dating
Come meet other members of the GLBT community in the interests of networking, friendships, or more. The mixer will be followed by karaoke and dancing. This event is open to all undergraduate and graduate college students and each person is invited to bring friends, significant other, or come alone. 18+ and $1 cover with a college ID.
Hosted by: Queer Student Cultural Center
Where: Pi Bar and Restaurant
When: Wednesday, October 8 from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Thursday, October 9

Sexual Health Awareness and Disease Education Presentation
A presentation by Sexual Health Awareness and Disease Education (SHADE) provided by Boynton Health Services.
Hosted by: Queer Student Cultural Center
Where: Queer Student Cultural Center (Coffman 205)
When: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Matthew Shepard Panel Discussion
A panel of Carleton faculty and staff will reflect on the high-profile hate crime and provide historical context.
Hosted by: Carleton College Gender and Sexuality Center
Where: Leighton Hall, Room 402
When: 12:00 pm

Friday, October 10

15th Annual National Coming Out Day Luncheon
Hosted by: Twin Cities Quorum, the Twin Cities GLBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center
When: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm

Candlelight Vigil for Matthew Shepard
Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., all members of the Carleton community are invited to light a candle inside the chapel and take time for silent reflection.
Hosted by: Carleton College Gender and Sexuality Center
Where: Chapel
When: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Good Asian Drivers!
A transgender slam poet, Kit Yan, and a lesbian folkrocker, Melissa Li team up for a show that is progressive, edgy, and funny. They smash every stereotype out there while putting on a show you will never forget. The Good Asian Drivers have heart and a voice they're not afraid to use. Their FREE performance will be one of the highlights of National Coming Out Week!
http://www.goodasiandrivers.com/
Hosted by: Queer Student Cultural Center
Where: Willey Hall Auditorium, West Bank
When: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Saturday, October 11

Drag Show
A mish-mash of spoken word, musical performances, drag, whatever else people have put together.
Hosted by: Queer Student Cultural Center
Where: The Whole (Basement of Coffman Memorial Union)
When: 7:00 pm to 11:55 pm

Sunday, October 12

National Coming Out Day Liturgy
National Coming Out Day, join Saint Mark’s Cathedral for a special service, featuring reflections and music honoring the joys and struggles of the GLBT community in Minnesota and throughout the nation.
Hosted by: Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral
Where: 519 Oak Grove St., Minneapolis
When: 2:00 pm

When I Knew
Release party for "When I Knew," a compilation of current and former Carleton students coming out stories.
Hosted by: Carleton College Gender and Sexuality Center
Where: Gould Library Athenaeum
When: 5:00 pm