Rainbow gay pride flags hang in the windows of The View Cafe at Penn State Scranton.
DUNMORE, Pa. – In an effort to promote diversity, inclusivity and support for the LGBTQIA+ community, Penn State Scranton's Student Organization of Latinos (SOL) is gearing up to host a vibrant color party from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, in The View Cafe. The event aims to raise awareness for National Coming Out Day and celebrate LGBTQIA+ Awareness Month.
Francesca Orellana, president of SOL, emphasized the importance of diversity on campus.
"I think it's important to showcase a variety of diverse events on campus because it not only brings us better together as a campus, but it celebrates our differences and our backgrounds,” she said. “It's important to make everyone feel welcome on campus."
This year's event takes on added significance as SOL collaborates with the LGBTQIA+ community.
"It is important to SOL to host this year's event and partner with the LGBTQIA+ community because we, as a club, strive to spread awareness on different groups, not just the Latino community,” Orellana said. “We are open and accepting of any and all diverse groups. We want the LGBTQIA+ community to feel supported by not just SOL, but other clubs as well."
Attendees can look forward to an engaging and informative experience at the Color Party/National Coming Out Day event, including learning more about the LGBTQIA+ community, the significance of each color in the gay pride flag, and the meaning of different pronouns and how to use them. Clubs across campus will be representing a color in the LGBTQIA+ flag, complete with free drinks, snacks and swag. Attendees can also look forward to entering a chance to win a mini fridge or a flat screen TV.
"It's important for the campus community to attend because as a close-knit campus, we should appreciate one another and come together to spread awareness to support each other," Orellana said.
Orellana hopes that attendees are able to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community and what it represents. “I also hope that any LGBTQIA+ student that attends feels appreciated, welcomed, and supported by not just our clubs but the whole community," she said.
Anyone interested in attending can RSVP via Engage.
