On Oct. 11, the Doyle Center hosted a coming out day event to celebrate National Coming Out Day, which occurs every year on that date. The main event was held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a discussion panel beginning at 4 p.m.

Due to the rain, the event was held indoors. This did not hinder the celebration, however. The Doyle Center was colorfully decorated and had designated areas for pumpkin painting and makeovers.

The makeovers included haircuts and makeup done by stylists from a local barbershop and hair salon, the BarberShop Rock. The pumpkin painting was also available to attendees, with small pumpkins and craft supplies laid out for all to use.

One of the larger decoration pieces was a free-standing door painted in rainbow colors, that attendees could enter the room through, or pose with for pictures with.

When asked how the event was going, Elliott Parsons, the coordinator for the Doyle Center, said that it had been very successful so far, but it “would have been nice to have the door outside.”

Parsons’ reply when asked about people who may be nervous to attend the event was that “their fear is valid, but we strive to make this a safe space.”

The Doyle Center is hosting a whole month of activities, calling the month “Outober,” with events ranging from craft making to discussions of LGBTQ+ topics.

You can learn more about BarberShop Rock at their webpage here: https://www.bestprosintown.com/wi/platteville/barbershop-rock-the-college-barber-/