The Creighton Intercultural Center hosted a Jays OUT Day to “celebrate those who are out [as LGBTQ+] and those who support them,” according to the event’s CUinvolved webpage. The event drew a crowd of over 100 people.   

“Jays OUT Day is Creighton’s response to National Coming Out Day. It happened about five years ago. It came about because we have a really healthy community and want them to feel welcome here on campus,” said Curtis Taylor, assistant director of the CIC.  

The event included Rice Krispies treats dyed every color of the rainbow, music and a rainbow-painted door that students could walk through to symbolize coming out.  

“People forget how difficult it is to come out,” said David Tavarez, secretary of Creighton’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance. “Even though society is becoming more progressive and more accepting of it, it is still a very difficult thing to come out. I think having the door, and what it represents, is very important to show that.”  

The event gave students, LGBTQ+ or not, a chance to celebrate both National Coming Out Day and LGBTQ+ History Month.  

“I think it is really important for our campus, especially a Catholic campus, to have queer students be able to represent ourselves in a very open space like this,” Tavarez said. “It is important to showcase our support of that – not only for members within the community, but our allies and people who are not as proud of their identities to know that they have support.” 

To continue showcasing support for queer students during LGBTQ+ History Month, Creighton’s GSA is collaborating with the Theology Department to host an event called Queer Christianity: Intersecting LGBTQ and Faith Identities. Speakers at this event will include Zachary Smith, Ph.D, Todd Salzman, Ph.D and James Pennington. Both Creighton students and staff, as well as non-Creighton affiliates, are invited by Creighton’s GSA to attend. 

“The premise is absolving the guilt with religion and being a queer person, and its open to anyone. It is for people to hear about how to be religious and queer,” Tavarez said. This will be held in the Skutt Ballroom on Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m.