Celebrating National Coming Out Day at MSU Law

By Jake Jenkins

Oct. 11, 2022

[Editor’s Note: This is part of an on-going series of articles on MSU Law student organizations. Please let us know what your organization has planned for the year.]

The United States first observed National Coming Out Day on October 11, 1988, on the first anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which saw about a half a million people turnout.

This annual day of celebration shines a light on individuals within the LGBTQ+ community and their decisions to share their gender identities and sexual orientation with the public. Additionally, the purpose is not only to celebrate those who've already come out, but to support those who have not as well as those who are thinking about it.

At Michigan State University College of Law, The Triangle Bar Association (Tri Bar), seeks to increase social acceptance and provide support for LGBTQ+ students, families, faculty, staff, and allies in the legal community.

“Our purpose is to make MSU Law more inclusive,” said Breia Lassiter, ’23, Executive Director of Tri Bar. “We are making everyone feel more accepted, not only the LGBTQ+ community but just diverse communities in general.

For students who identify with the community as well as those who want to show support, Tri Bar is available to you. Meetings are generally held on a Wednesday each month.

“We as an org do what we can to support a whole body of students,” said Nick Butkevich, ’24, Vice President of Communications for Tri Bar. “We are supporting not just students who are LGBTQ but people who are allies and want to know the best way to support the community.”

Both Lassiter and Butkevich have stated that when someone is in the process of coming out to the public about their sexuality, they should do so on their own terms.

Everyone is entitled to their own choices in life and coming out to the world is not something that should be forced, the student leaders say.

As many around the nation celebrate this day, MSU Law would like to highlight our resources surrounding the LGTBQ+ community and extend our support to everyone who fights for the rights of queer people and those who continue to represent as an ally.