New Mexico State University has a busy month of activities for the LGBT+ community this month, which is being called OUTober.
“We want to address the intersectional barriers our students face and to help create a culture where all Aggies can feel included and be successful,” Zooey Sophia Pook, director of LGBT+ Programs, told KRQE.
The university said clubs are drawing strong support from the community.
“LGBT+ Programs is celebrating the most student traffic we have ever seen,” Pook said. “Our clubs – AgGays, Gender Diverse Aggies, and Gay Anime Club – are hosting as many as 50 students each week, and our office is filled with excited students each day.”
The university is working to be as inclusive as possible.
“We are also very excited now to host Students for Asian and Pacific Islander Student Support, as well as Students for Reproductive Rights,” Pook said. “Our students have diverse backgrounds, and our programming reflects that.”
OUTober events include:
Oct. 11: National Coming Out Day – LGBT+ Programs will have a presence outside Corbett Center Student Union to inform students about the community from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Oct. 20: Lego Night at 6:30 p.m. in the LGBT+ Programs office in Corbett Center Student Union (Room 204a).
Oct. 25: OUTober Drag Show at Corbett Center Student Union outdoor stage at 7 p.m.
Oct. 26: Free, rapid, confidential HIV testing from 12 - 2 p.m.
Most events are free for NMSU students, KRQE reported. The HIV testing will be available for all students, faculty, and staff.