A series of on-campus events for Iona’s annual Coming Out Week ran from Oct. 8 to Oct. 12.

Love is Love, formerly known as Gael Pride, co-sponsored the week’s events with the Hellenic Society, the Gerri Ripp Center for Career Development and the Student Leader Alliance for Multiculturalism.

“The purpose of Coming Out Week is to provide education on the LGBTQ+ community and to promote acceptance on campus,” junior Charles Bencivengo, president of Love is Love, said.

Junior Liana Yoanidis, president of the Hellenic Society, spoke in an email interview about the “Beads of Love” event on Oct. 9.

“Beads of Love was both a celebration of Greek culture and LGBTQIA+ pride,” Yoanidis said. “People came and made bracelets, key chains and necklaces while we shared about the importance of Coming Out Week. The event brought people together and celebrated the beginning of the week with a simple craft.”

The LGBTQ+ Career Panel, co-sponsored by Love is Love and the Gerri Ripp Center for Career Development, took place on Oct. 10. The panelists spoke about how LGBTQ+ professionals navigate the job market and face the challenges and issues that identity can create.

Sara Osario, the senior Career Development specialist, said it was important for the Center of Career Development to co-sponsor with Love is Love for the panel.

“Diversity and inclusion is a value of the Center for Career Development (CCD), where all students are encouraged to live authentic lives, and all are welcomed for who they are and their unique talents,” Osario said in an email interview. “Our goal to is educate and empower students to navigate the job search process effectively so that they can build successful careers that support the life that they choose to lead.”

Osario also said that the Center for Career Development is likely to host similar panels and presentations in the future.

Kyle Byrne, an undergraduate admissions counselor for Iona, spoke on the panel. Dr. Timothy Lyle, assistant professor for the English department and faculty advisor for Love is Love, and Tiago Machado, director of Student Involvement at Westchester Community College, spoke as panelists with Byrne.

“I think this panel was important because it gave students who belong to the LGBTQ+ community an opportunity to hear from out professionals about their career journey,” Byrne said in an email interview. “Disclosing sexuality, balancing identities and dealing with discrimination are some of the unfortunate realities LGBTQ+ folks face in the workplace. The event allowed students to voice their concerns, seek advice and ask questions that only people who have that lived experience of being out at work can answer.”

Byrne also said that the LGBTQ+ Career Panel is an example of Iona being an inclusive community.

“I hope events like these show that Iona is an inclusive environment that is committed to diversity,” Byrne said. “As an admissions counselor, I meet many prospective students and diversity is an important issue to them. When I talk about Iona and all of our diversity initiatives, I think they are surprised to learn how open and accepting we are as an institution.”

The Coming Out Week events finished with a movie screening in North Avenue Residence Hall of the recent film “Love, Simon.”

Bencivengo explained the importance of raising awareness of the LGBTQ+ community.

“The most important thing during this week is definitely education because coming out is something huge,” Bencivengo said. “It’s really important that Iona has events like these because it shows that Iona is accepting of people in the LGBTQ+ community and tries to better the lives of others.”

Yoanidis also spoke on the significance of Coming Out Week for both members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

“The message behind Coming Out Week is that you are accepted and loved,” Yoanidis said. “For those who came out this year, we, as a campus, recognize their decision and accept them. For those who have come out in the past, they are reminded that, despite all of the hateful speech they may have encountered, they have a voice and a place. Finally, for allies, it is an opportunity and a reminder to speak up and advocate.”