Spectrum Club - National Coming Out Day

Delaware Technical Community College hosted a live musical performance on Oct. 11 to help bring awareness as part of National Coming Out Day in the Fireside Lounge at Owens Campus.

National Coming Out Day was founded in 1988 to celebrate coming out and raise awareness of the LGBT community.

Shelley Grabel, faculty advisor of the Spectrum Club, got involved with the club after the previous advisor stepped down providing an opportunity for her to become a part of the club.

Grabel said she set up the event to get the Spectrum Club in the public’s eye, let the college’s community know that they’re here, and have the students feel like the can be comfortable on campus.

“The point of this was to create an atmosphere where people could begin to talk and know people are here to listen,” said Grabel.

Multiple students of LGBT orientation came up to the podium where they would tell their stories of coming out.

“I think it was pretty amazing, the stories peoples shared and their ability to share. It touched me. I didn’t know if we would get anybody comfortable enough to tell their stories,” said Grabel

Local singer - songwriter Daniel Laruso, who is also gay, started out the workshop by performing eight songs from his past work along with his latest EP.

Some of the songs performed dealt with the issues of LGBT community.

Laruso gave a brief speech of his coming out story, which was easy for him as both of his parents are lesbians he said.

If you want more information on the Spectrum Club visit Facebook. To be on the email list email Shelley Grabel at sgrabel@dtcc.edu.

Daniel Laruso singing songs off his latest EP in the Fireside Lounge during the Coming Out Day celebration hosted by the Spectrum Club. Photo by J.Perez