Photo Story: MU LGBTQ Resource Center holds event for Coming Out Week

Hannah Henderson

October 25, 2023

The MU LGBTQ Resource Center held several events in honor of National Coming Out Week, wrapping up with a social event called “Queer Fall Fling”

The MU LGBTQ Resource Center held the annual Queer Fall Fling on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 at Memorial Union. The event was open to all students and had leaders from different LGBTQ-related student organizations present as well as representatives from Mid-Missouri’s LGBTQIA+ Community Center, The Center Project. Food was provided to attendees and there were plenty of crafting activities.

A rainbow pride flag lying on a table with pride-themed stickers on top. — A rainbow pride flag lies on the check-in table along with various pride-themed stickers on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 at Memorial Union in Columbia, Mo. “Oct. 11 every year is National Coming Out Day,” senior student support specialist of the MU LGBTQ resource center Haley Strassburger said. “Here at Mizzou it’s a really great way for us to remind folks that we’re here as a center and that we’re offering good resources for our students but also just giving them a space where they can be themselves.”

A student coloring a mini canvas. — Junior Rayne Schilmoeller (front) colors a mini canvas at Queer Fall Fling. Schilmoeller and his sister, senior Faith Schilmoeller (back) are vice president and president, respectively, of Aces & Aros – a student organization dedicated to supporting asexual and aromantic students at MU.

A rack of clothes standing in Memorial Union. — Clothes from The Center Project’s Clothing Closet hang on a clothing rack at the Queer Fall Fling. The Center Project describes itself as Mid-Missouri’s LGBTQIA+ Community Center and their Clothing Closet service provides free clothing to those in need.

A student picking out a bead to make a bracelet. — Senior Nikki Yu picks out a bead to make a bracelet at Queer Fall Fling. Several crafts were available to attendees of the event including bracelet making, mini canvas art and decorating tote bags.

A variety of folded t-shirts resting on a table. — Folded t-shirts from The Center Project’s Clothing Closet sit on a table at the Queer Fall Fling. “We’re always trying to connect with college students here and just expand college students’ queer community to let them know that there’s resources off campus,” The Center Project volunteer Mel Constantine Miseo said.

Two students playing a video game on a Wii. — Juniors Discord Paine (left) and Lizzy Andriano play baseball on a Wii. Free food and a variety of activities were available for attendees to engage with each other.

Copy edited by Grace Knight

Edited by Sophie Rentschler | srentschler@themaneater.com

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About the Author

Hannah Henderson, Photography Editor

Hannah Henderson is the Photography Editor for the 2024-2025 Editorial Board of The Maneater. She is a sophomore photojournalism major from Chicago, Illinois, and was a photographer and assistant photography editor last year. She also works as Friday Night Sights Logistics Coordinator for the Columbia Missourian and Co-President of Kappa Alpha Mu, the photojournalism society.