Cupcakes and Conversation Featuring Ebo Barton
According to a 2023 global survey of adults across 30 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, nearly 1 in 10 adults identifies as LGBTQIA+, and that’s just the people who have come out. First celebrated in the United States in 1988, National Coming Out Day was initially grounded in the feminist and gay liberation spirit, and the emphasis on the most basic form of activism being coming out to family, friends, and colleagues, and living life openly as a gay, lesbian or transgender individual.
Every year, thousands more LGBTQIA+ people across the world take the leap and come out of the closet, making their first big step towards living authentically. This year, we celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 10, by partnering with the Pride Center and the Diversity and Equity Center, to bring Cupcakes and Conversation, and the incredible poet, Ebo Barton, to Everett Community College.
Cupcakes and Conversation
The Diversity and Equity Center together with Student LIFE invites you to come to our National Coming Out Day celebration on October 10th as we acknowledge the history of our Pride Programs at Everett Community College and celebrate our Safe Zone program turning 24 and our Pride Center turning 9.
EvCC is among many colleges in the country to have Safe Zone programs, a step towards progress in making the world a safer place for LGBTQIA+ people. The Safe Zone committee was founded in December 2000 to support the LGBTQIA+ community members of EvCC. Students can look for the symbol of the Safe Zone to find trusted support and connections.
The Pride Center was created through the Safe Zone and opened on October 12, 2015. It provides a space for students to seek information and gather resources to bring them towards a brighter future. It also serves as a gathering place for members of the community and our allies.
There will be photo opportunities, cupcakes, including vegan and gluten free options, and beverages. We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate our history and our progress this October 10th from 12-2pm in the Trojan Annex (former Parks Gallery).
Ebo Barton: Poet, Creative, and Advocate
“Ebo is the queer echo to the first whisper of revolution. Backlash to cynicism, they’ll have you believing in yourself again.” -Poet, Tara Hardy
As the Director of Housing Services at Lavender Rights Project, a member of Creative Justice Northwest's Community Advisory Board, and a Washington State LGBTQ Commissioner, Barton's impact transcends artistic endeavors. A leader in arts and activism, Ebo Barton is committed to creating opportunities for others to organize, heal and rejoice. Ebo Barton's written, performative, and community work demand societal reckoning. Ebo’s poetic works include the 2017 award-winning play, “Rising Up”, Anastacia Renee’s “Queer. Mama. Crossroads.”, as well as “Insubordinate”, his first published collection of poetry from 2020. You can also find and
listen to Ebo’s poetry on Spotify, which is highly recommended.
This National Coming Out Day, come and enjoy cupcakes and conversation with EvCC students, staff and community members, along with Ebo Barton, who will begin performing at 1pm, as we come together to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students to engage with each other, and to experience the life-changing poetry of an LGBTQIA+ and POC artist and activist. Who knows? Maybe some brave LGBTQIA+ souls will find the freedom and safety amongst this event to come out of their own closets, and that’s truly an incredible experience not to be missed. If you enjoy spoken word poetry, slam poetry, cupcakes, or just socializing with other LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and community members this event is one you won’t want to miss!
For more information on this event, please contact Kim Krausz, at kkrausz@everettcc.edu or Student LIFE Advisor, Lindsay Hudson, at lhudson@everettcc.edu.
If you are a person with a disability and need accommodation in connection with this event, contact the Center for Disability Services at least 5 days in advance at 425-388-9272 or cds@everettcc.edu.
Everett Community College offers equal opportunity in education and employment. For more information, visit the Equal Opportunity and Title IX website: EverettCC.edu/EqualOpportunity