(October 4, 2011 - Littleton, Colorado) The Arapahoe Community College Equality Club will host an event on October 11 in celebration of National Coming Out Day and members of the LGBT community.

National Coming Out Day, which is observed on October 11, was founded in 1988 by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary.  Originally established as a day for members of the LGBT community to face their fears, the celebrations on October 11 are held annually throughout the world to celebrate and raise awareness for the GLBT community.

The ACC Equality Club and its president, Andy Blevins, encourage all ACC faculty, staff and students to wear purple on October 11 to show support for the GLBT community.

The festivities, which will take place in the student center second floor lounge and will be co-sponsored by the Student Affairs Office, will include a performance by drag queen DaMonika Sinz, a panel of active and retired military personnel, a documentary surrounding the controversy ignited by a same-sex marriage announcement, a symbolic balloon release on the south patio and a variety of refreshments.

Members of the Equality Club will be on hand to help answer questions while handing out pamphlets to help raise awareness for LGBT persons.

For more information and accommodations, please contact the Student Affairs Office at student.activities@arapahoe.edu / 303.797.5668, or contact Andy Blevins at ablevins3@student.cccs.edu.