By CHELSEA SCHAFFER, CSU Communications Graduate Assistant

The LGBT Center in the Centennial Student Union celebrates the haunting season with pumpkin carving and Hocus Pocus, on Friday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I reached out to David Gardner, the director of the center, and he shared that after each pumpkin is finished a picture will be taken to be posted on their Facebook page. The winner of the competition receives a free LGBT center hoodie!

Reading through the description of the event I was curious about why Halloween is such a significant event for the LGBTQ+ community. I found an article titled There’s A Reason Queer Folks Love Halloween So Much, where the author reflects on the importance of the holiday for the community.

He described the experience of growing up Queer as being similar to wearing a mask, where you’re expected to hide your identity out of fear of judgment. People in the closet may utilize this opportunity to explore different expressions of themselves.

Whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally use this Halloween to explore and express yourself in whatever way you feel uniquely empowered by. 

The LGBT Center in CSU194 offers support for navigating the coming out process as well as helping trans students with resources and referrals with the goal to be a place where students feel safe to be their authentic selves.

The LGBT Center at Minnesota State Mankato is the second-longest operation university LGBT center in the country.

Resources on campus for trans & non-binary students: https://mankato.mnsu.edu/university-life/diversity-and-inclusion/gender-and-sexuality-programs/lgbt-center/trans-resources/