September 27, 2002 — In celebration of National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, the University of Utah’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah and the Utah AIDS Foundation are sponsoring weeklong events, including appearances by Olympic medallist Greg Louganis, widely considered the greatest diver in history. In 1995 Louganis revealed he has AIDS.

A gay and lesbian film festival will be held in the University’s Olpin Union Theatre on Monday, Oct. 7, and Tuesday, Oct. 8, from noon till 10 p.m.

A vigil to raise the awareness of hate crimes is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m., on the steps of the University’s John R. Park Building.

Louganis will present a keynote address at Kingsbury Hall on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 2:30 p.m. (Doors open at 1:00 p.m.) The event is free and open to the public. That evening a fund-raiser dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the I.J. and Jeanne Wagner Jewish Community Center, 2 North Medical Drive, in Salt Lake City. Attendees will meet Greg Louganis. Tickets are $50 for the general public and $25 for students. Proceeds will go to the University’s LGBT Resource Center. For reservations, contact Becky McKean at 801-581-8151.

At age 16, Louganis won a silver medal at the 1976 Olympics. He went on to win platform and springboard gold medals at both the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. He has won five world championships and 47 U.S. National Diving titles. In 1995, Louganis revealed he has AIDS. Because of Louganis’ openness about his sexuality, and his hope for the future despite being HIV positive, he has been able to reach out to thousands of people.

For more information on National Coming Out Day activities, visit the University’s LGBT Resource Center in room 317 of the Olpin Union Building, 200 South Central Campus Drive; or contact the office at 801-587-7973.