SAFE Open Mic Night Offers a Platform for Expression and Belonging

The University of Central Oklahoma’s Student Alliance for Equality (SAFE) will host its annual SAFE Open Mic Night on Friday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Constitution Hall, Room 200, at the Nigh University Center. The event aims to provide students with an inclusive space to share their voices through poetry, music, and storytelling.

Founded in 1989, SAFE is one of the oldest queer-affirming student organizations on a college campus in the country. The group advocates for diversity and inclusion at UCO, offering support and visibility for LGBTQ+ students and allies.

“SAFE has been around for decades, and we’re just trying to stick around for the people who need us,” said CJ, co-president of SAFE. “We want to make sure people still have a voice, which is why we’re having an open mic.”

Last year’s event drew strong participation, inspiring the organization to bring it back this fall. CJ said this year’s Open Mic Night holds additional meaning as it coincides with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11.

“A lot of people feel like they don’t have a voice,” CJ said. “We want to tell people that we’re here, we want to hear what you have to say, and there’s a safe place on this campus for you to express yourself.”

The open mic is available to all UCO students and will feature a diverse range of performances, including poetry readings and live singing. Participants are not required to register in advance and are encouraged to share whatever feels authentic to them.

“It’s an open space to speak your mind,” CJ said. “That doesn’t mean we’ll allow hate speech. It’s about talking about your experiences and expressing yourself in a space where you feel welcomed.”

CJ said the event reflects SAFE’s mission of advocacy and visibility on campus. “It’s one of the only times where a lot of people feel like they get to be honest about who they are and what they’ve been through,” CJ said. “We’re still here, and we’re going to keep fighting for people.”

For students who may be nervous about performing, CJ encourages them to participate in any way that makes them feel comfortable.

“This is a safe space,” CJ said. “It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s not a competition. There’s no judgment and no pressure. If you have something to say, this is a place where you can say it.”