By Brigid Amoroso

Staff Writer

MARPLE, Pa. – In celebration of National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2025, DCCC hosted a festival in the Marple campus courtyard. The event, held two days before the national observance on Oct. 11, was organized by Campus Engagement and Athletics in collaboration with the college’s LGBTQ+ club.

Photography by Chevy-Jean Murphy and Charlie McFlea

Sarah Coleman, the club’s president, said they prepared for the festival by creating a playlist and a large poster where students could use colorful sticky notes to share messages. Students were also encouraged to draw inspiring art and messages with chalk on the ground. Coleman, a student at DCCC for three years, joined the club in her second semester to get more involved on campus.

Some of the other groups from DCCC present at the festival included The Career and Counseling Center and The Center for Equality and Social Justice. Outside organizations such as Free Mom Hugs, PFLAG, ACGHealth, Planned Parenthood, U.D.T.J., and the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County also had representatives in attendance.

The Free Mom Hugs organization comes to the Marple campuses a few times a year, as well as other DCCC campuses. Their mission is to encourage others to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, starting with a hug. Bonnie Kaplan, the Pennsylvania chapter co-leader of Free Mom Hugs, said at the festival that “the organization will come to the college whenever [they’ll have us].”

ACGHealth, a local non-profit organization that serves those who cannot afford other high-quality health care, provided a mobile testing unit which gave out free STI, Hepatitis, and HIV testing. Sarah Birch, the representative from ACGHealth, provided information to students about some of the other treatments they provide.

Each table offered resource pamphlets and informational handouts, as well as an assortment of candy, flags, stickers, pins, and bracelets for students. Artist Stefanie Birl also provided glitter tattoos for attendees.