On Oct. 9, the Love Evolution Club prepared a table in the quad for an early celebration of National Coming Out Day. The quad, where hundreds of California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State) students walk across to get from one side of the campus to the other, was colored by the well-known rainbow flags representing the LGBTQ community in an effort to celebrate those who have embraced their true selves. 
Members of the club hung up a colorful, Californian rainbow flag, banners and a few tri-fold posters showing various collages of the club members. Also, members brought out a door prop and pasted a blank poster onto it. Club members encouraged students that were passing by to go on the other side of the door and “come out” of it. After doing so, the participants were invited to write inspiring words on the poster, regardless if they identified with the LGBTQ community or not.
“#I’mComingOut,” “I am who I am, and I do what I want” and “#iLoveWhoeverIwant,” were a few of the words written on the door’s poster by participating students, manifesting their love and support toward the LGBTQ community.
National Coming Out Day represents Love Evolution’s goal of creating a safe environment on campus for the LGBTQ community.
“The purpose of Love Evolution is to ensure that LGBTQ/MOGII students, and people as a whole, have a zone where they can safely express who they are without fear of negative judgement or discrimination,” Love Evolution President Shelby Zahn said. “The club serves as a support group for those placed in subordinated and marginalized positions within society. We raise awareness for issues within our community, both on and off campus.”
Though Love Evolution’s National Coming Out Day event was a success, members of the club want to point out the fact that they are aware some individuals do not support such a community being manifested on campus.
“These events allow us to inform and educate people about gender and sexuality in honest ways, and I am proud of the club’s longevity and commitment to helping others,” Zahn said.
Love Evolution Vice President Stephanie Landeros expressed her fear of discrimination.
“Sometimes in the far back of my mind, I feel scared that someone might not like the people we represent, and threaten us. Luckily, we have not experienced such thing on campus while being at our table hosting events like today’s,” Landeros said.
Regardless of their inner fear of others disagreeing with their actions and threatening them, Love Evolution hosted a successful event that encouraged self-love and the acceptance of others in the LGBTQ community.