Coming Out Week activities listed for Oct. 9-12 The 10% Society announces activities for its annual Coming Out Week celebration centered around National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, a day for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) people to come out to their friends and family and celebrate their lives and experiences, and for straight allies to offer support to those who are in the coming out process. All events are free and open to the public. Monday, Oct. 9 * 2 p.m., Lecture Bowl, Memorial Union: panel discussion, Sacred Spaces, Safe Places. This panel will feature people of various religious perspectives discussing ways in which religious communities can make their spaces more inclusive of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) people. * 7 p.m., Twamley Quad, Take Back the Night Rally. The 10% Society will show their support for this event held annually by the UND Women’s Center. This event, held in conjunction with the Clothesline Project, raises awareness of experiences of violence. Tuesday, Oct. 10 * 7 p.m., River Valley Room, Memorial Union, panel discussion: What Makes a Family? We will talk about different types of families that include GLBTQ people as children, parents, and partners. This event is for anyone who works with families, is part of the public school system, or would like more information about different types of family life for GLBTQ people. * 9 p.m., 10% Society members and friends will chalk the sidewalks around UND to prepare for National Coming Out Day. Wednesday, Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day * 2 p.m., Lecture Bowl, Memorial Union. * 7 p.m., International Centre, 2908 University Ave. GLBTQ Questions and Answers: What do all of those letters mean? What is it like being gay or lesbian? Do bisexuals really exist? Do drag queens want to have sex changes? Isn’t “queer” a bad word? This light-hearted and lively discussion will be a chance for anyone to ask any question they may have had about the lives and experiences of GLBTQ people. No question, as long as it is asked respectfully, will be ignored. Thursday, Oct. 12 * 7 p.m., Badlands Room, Memorial Union, panel discussion: Responding to Violence in Our Communities. This session will present a variety of information about services at UND and in Grand Forks for those who experience violence or harassment as well as explore some of the differences in legal protections in North Dakota and Minnesota. For more information about these events, please contact Chris Stoner at (701)741-3716. The 10% Society's web site is http://www.undtps.com. All events are sponsored by the UND 10% Society. Founded in 1982, the 10% Society is North Dakota’s oldest GLBTQ organization. Open to students, staff and faculty of UND as well as members of the Greater Grand Forks community, the organization provides support for GLBTQ people and their straight allies, provides educational programming for members and for the community at large, and promotes advocacy on a number of political issues related to GLBTQ people.