The Pride Center, the official name for the University’s LGBT resource center is now open in Gilbertson Hall 253 after a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
The grand opening was paired with the screening of filmmaker Alden Peters’ documentary “Coming Out.”
An award-winning filmmaker, Peter recorded his entire coming out process on camera, capturing the reactions of his family and friends, which, according to a Kickstarter campaign that raised $21,106 to fund the documentary, created “an intimate portrait of the coming out process that spans decades and occurs in real time.”
Assistant professor of English and coordinator of the gender studies minor, Kimberly Lacey gave a special thanks to the committee and interns that made The Pride Center possible and a general thanks to the community members who attended the center’s opening.
“We have been really supported on campus and we hope to develop relationships and continue to develop relationships with the community as the center opens,” Lacey said.
The documentary starts out as Peters tells his brother Julian that he is gay. Peters then reveals his identity to friends and family all on film, one by one.
Interested in film and theatrics growing up, Peters said he felt less vulnerable if those conversations were recorded.
Peters was inspired by Tyler Clementi, an 18-year-old man who killed himself in 2010 after his roommate at Rutgers University used a webcam and computer to secretly view him kissing another man.
The news coverage of this incident captured Peters’ attention.
“I will never live a normal life because thoughts like this are going to kill me,” Peters said, as he struggled to decide if he wanted to come out or not.
The documentary showed Peters’ friends and family accepting reactions to his announcement.
Peters felt this was important to capture, even though some people who come out do not have positive moments to share like that.
“It can paint the picture that that’s the reality,” Peters said. “It’s okay to accept your child. The default should not be disowning your child.”
After the film showing, Peters admitted that the camera did influence people’s reactions; however, his family members were used to him filming many gatherings and events.
Peters hopes an educational distribution version of his documentary will be created so that it will be viewable in schools.
He also hopes the film will eventually be available online so that anyone who may questioning their identify can watch it privately.
Chair of the social work department Lucy Mercier stated that these types of events and media help promote conversation about LGBT issues.
“The tides are a-turning on campus and we are going to have awesome services at The Pride Center,” Mercier said.
