SC:OUT

SC:OUT which was formally known as LGBTQ@UTSC and LGBTQ@SC before that was established in 2001. The Positive Space Campaign also launched in 2001. In 2002, SC:OUT was one of the first clubs to get its own space on campus, after negotiating with The Underground for space in one of The Underground’s portables.

 In September 2002, there were reports of homophobic graffiti on cubicles in the Science Wing. The graffiti read “Fags give the best head! Fags” on one cubicle, and “_____ IS GAY” on another. Both were written in thick black marker and in similar writing. The name in the latter line was scratched out in a vain attempt to protect the person who is mentioned, but the name was still legible.

On October 12^th 2003 someone started a thread on the SCSU’s discussion board under the name Jesse Dirkhising, who was murdered by two men in 1999. The writer claimed that there was too much “promotion of gay rights” on campus and that Queer issues were being “shoved down his throat”. The thread caused many debates, and featured posts by students who agreed with the original poster and others by students defending and justifying the queer community at UTSC. The SCSU responded by posting a statement explaining that the thread was offensive and did not represent the views of the SCSU. They eventually took down the thread on October 23^rd and issued an apology.

Thanks to a generous book donation in 2004 a library was added to the Lounge, it has grown over the years and is easily accessible in the Lounge. In 2005, the Lounge moved from the portable to its current home in the Bladen Wing. BV334/336 has become a busy place where people can meet, socialize and discuss anything from how their classes are going, to issues concerning the queer and trans community.

During the early hours of March 29^th 2008 someone set fire to SC:OUT’s bulletin board. EMERG quickly responded to the fire and contacted campus police, who put out the fire. The arsonist broke the glass protecting the board and set the posters within on fire. On April 2^nd there was a love-in held in the Meeting Place students, administrators, faculty, and staff gathered to show there support for the queer community on campus. And even students from St. George and Ryerson came to show their support. There were between 60-100 people who gathered.

On Febuary 24^th 2010 the Positive Space Committee held the first annual Rainbow Tie Gala in the Doris McCarthy Gallery. It was a success with almost 200 students, staff, and faculty attending. On January 26^th 2012, the third annual Rainbow Tie Gala was held in the DMG. Each year the Rainbow Tie Gala has become bigger and gathered more people.

The history of SC:OUT and the queer community at UTSC has had it’s ups and downs. SC:OUT continues to strive to bring visibility to the queer and trans community on campus.