PRESS RELEASE:
Contact:

Tracy Bliss
Gay Straight Alliance President-College of Southern Idaho
208-404-5417

Jenn Siegal
Vigil Participant/Student
Cell: 208-859-2987

NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY TO BE OBSERVED IN THE MAGIC VALLEY

On Tuesday October 11th,  Magic Valley Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender individuals and their Allies, will be joining thousands of others within the LGBTQIA community across the country to mark the 23rd annual “National Coming Out Day.”

Started in 1998, the day is meant to celebrate life beyond the closet doors and to invite more meaningful conversations on what it means to live openly and honestly as a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender individual.

Members of the LGBTQIA community will be holding a candlelight vigil on the steps of the Twin Falls County Courthouse from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. that evening.

Those helping to organize the event say it’s not only important in rural areas like the Magic Valley for other LGBTQIA individuals to know they aren’t alone, but to also draw attention to the fact that many individuals throughout Idaho could lose their employment and housing for publicly acknowledging their sexual preference.

Vigil participant Jenn Siegal says, “We want to not only celebrate those who have made the bold step to come out of the closet, but to also remember that there are many living across the state for whom that action is not yet possible.”

The event is being sponsored by the College of Southern Idaho’s Gay Straight Alliance Club. Club President Tracy Bliss says the observance will also give the community an opportunity to see that hate and tolerance toward LGBTQIA individuals won’t be tolerated.

“With LGBTQIA bullying on the rise, clubs like ours let students know that they have a safe space on campus to go, and that there are resources for them to get help even here in the Magic Valley area.” says Bliss.

Tuesday night’s vigil is free and open to the public.