Coming Out Day 2025

Could you tell us a bit more about QuEUR and what kind of activities you organise?

Our goal is to create an open and visible community where queer staff and allies can connect, support each other, and work together to make the university a safer and more inclusive place. We organise a wide range of activities, from informal social gatherings and after-work drinks to panel events, presentations from researchers or practitioners and even a conference in 2024. Our work has been recognised with the LGBTQIA+ Network of the Year Award 2024 by Workplace Pride.

How do you feel things stand in terms of inclusion of the queer community?

There has been undeniable progress, both in society and within institutions, also in our university. Yet inclusion and acceptance are not static; they require continuous work. Therefore, we aim to stay open to dialogue and raise awareness about ongoing challenges related to bias, heteronormativity, and intersectionality. While I’m hopeful and proud of how far we’ve come, it’s also crucial to remain active, vocal, and self-reflective. And always with an open heart. Because in today’s polarised times, I believe it’s especially worthwhile to focus on our shared humanity rather than on our differences.

Why are days like Coming Out Day important?

Coming Out Day is a celebration of authenticity and visibility and is about the courage of people to choose to live openly. It’s a chance to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and strengthen support for the queer community. While the day is primarily about celebration, it also reminds us that coming out can be a deeply personal process, and for some, it may pose challenges. For example, research has found that “coming out” may require repeated disclosures or involve some amount of stress for LGBTIQ+ employees. Recognising this only reinforces why inclusion, understanding, and allyship matter every day of the year.

Photo: Workplace Pride Gala 2023; Paraskevas is second from the left in this photo