Every year on October 11, Coming Out Day invites us to pause and reflect on what it truly means to be ourselves. It’s not just another date on the calendar: it’s a symbol of courage, a reminder of dignity, and an opportunity to celebrate the freedom of living without masks. For the LGBTQIA+ community, this day often represents a turning point, but its meaning goes far beyond that. It speaks to all of us, because each person carries the challenge of revealing their true self to the world.
At Erasmus Student Network Perugia, we deeply believe in this message. International mobility is not only an academic opportunity; it’s a transformative experience that opens up new worlds, fosters dialogue between differences, and teaches us that uniqueness is a strength. For many students, arriving in a new city means finally having the space to explore, to speak openly, to embrace parts of themselves that may have remained hidden until then.
Coming out is never the same for everyone. It can be sudden and liberating, or gradual, made of small steps and hesitations. But it is always an act of authenticity, something that deserves respect, protection, and care. That is why, as an organisation, we are committed to creating welcoming environments where nobody should ever feel invisible or forced into silence.
In this journey, we are not alone. Here in Perugia, there is a remarkable organisation that plays a crucial role: Omphalos LGBTI+. For over thirty years, Omphalos has been a vital point of reference for LGBTQIA+ people in the region. It provides listening and support through its anti-discrimination and reception centres, offers legal and anti-violence counselling, and provides health services such as the PEG Checkpoint, where rapid, anonymous and free tests are available. There are also safe spaces like the Pink House, a shelter for those who need immediate protection. Alongside these services, Omphalos runs cultural activities, thematic groups, and social events that transform isolation into connection, loneliness into community.
For an international student, coming into contact with Omphalos can make a real difference: it means finding a place that welcomes, protects, and supports. This is where a natural bridge is built with ESN Perugia. On one side, we offer spaces for encounters, cultural activities and opportunities for intercultural growth; on the other, organisations like Omphalos bring expertise, listening, and concrete support for those navigating something as personal and profound as the coming out journey.
Celebrating October 11 means reaffirming that there is no Erasmus without freedom, no exchange without listening, and no true international experience without the right to be oneself. It means remembering that in Perugia, every student has the right to feel at home, not only as a guest, but as a person fully seen and respected in their entirety.
As ESN Perugia, we want this message to be clear: here, no one should ever have to hide their identity. Here, we celebrate the beauty of differences and the power of connection. Here, together, we build spaces where visibility is not a risk, it’s a value.
by Leonardo Brecchia