Aimee Tubbs held her head high as she marched Wednesday night from the front of the Student Center to Shryock Auditorium while carrying a brightly colored sign that boldly read coming out.

Tubbs, a sophomore in cinema, said she is more open about her sexuality since she declared her gay sexual preference. She said she wants to show support for others who are going through the same experience.

Tubbs was part of a group of 40 or more people who rallied Wednesday with the Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Friends organization in front of Shryock Auditorium to support Coming Out Week for the first time ever at SIUC.

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We will do better as a big group, she said. There is a lot of homophobia on campus, and a big support group will make it easier for others to come out.

Jeff Lucas, co-director of GLBF, told the crowd outside of Shryock that Coming out week is a unifying point for all gay and gay positive people. It is a chance for gays to affirm their sexual preference and feel safe about who they are, he said.

Coming out starts with accepting yourself, he said. If you feel safe with yourself, others will support you.

Paula Kirkland, advisor for GLBF, told the crowd that Coming Out day shows that there is a community on the SIUC campus that supports a gay lifestyle.

We are creating a community to help brothers and sisters who are scared to come out, she said. Next year they can stand and be proud to be part of the community.

Jen Ladic, a representative from women’s services, told the crowd that coming out is important because the public needs to see different kinds of people.

The more you are out, the more visible you become, she said. People, like congressman Jessie Helms, will start hearing your voices.

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Marshall Nelson, a SIUC senior in speech therapy, said the rally was liberating.

With the speakers being so relaxed, I think that attitude went out in the crowd, he said.

Patrick Smith, a third year law student, said he agreed with the idea that the speakers were relaxed and focused.

It is a symbol of our personal integrity, he said. We are comfortable with who we are, and that comes out in a positive manner.

The reason the rally was not staged before is because GBLF did not seem to have as many members and support as it does now, Erika Kohoutek, co-director of the group, said.

I was really nervous, but it went very well, she said. We hope to make this an annual event.

It is encouraging to see so many people because there is strength in numbers, she said.

Kohoutek said with the development of affirmative programs, such as Safe Zones pink triangle that identify gay positive supporters positive outlets have spread through the campus.

It signifies change and that there is somewhere else to go beside our office, she said.