Education

LBGT Community Celebrates Coming Out Day

By Lauren Lopez, Oct 11, 2013
 

“It wasn’t that bad for me,” Jeremy Evans said.

He was 14-years-old when he and his mother were sitting in the living room watching “Desperate Housewives”.

Evans’s mother turned to him, and referring to one of the few LGBT characters on primetime television, asked, “ Are you going to be an Andrew Van de Kamp?”

Evans responded by asking his mother if should would react the same way the character’s mother did, “Are you going to be a Bree Van de Kamp?”

Oct. 11 marks National Coming Out Day. Each year the Human Rights Campaign celebrates this day as “a reminder that one of our most basic tools is the power of coming out.”

However, for members of the Gay Straight Alliance at Angelo State University, the day is representative of more than just the LGBT community.

“Nowadays, there are so many people that don’t fit into stereotypical norms of society,” Evans said. “Coming out day is about being who you are.”

Sarah Sanchez, a straight ally for the group, said that the day is about celebrating the individual.

“We want to just celebrate people being people,” Sanchez said of how she supports individuals being who they are.

Evans added that the day also works as a support system.

He said, “Coming out is a process. You don’t just wake up one day and say, ‘okay, today is going to be the day.’”

Evans continued, “For those that are in a crossroads and want to come out but have things holding them back, it is a day to recognize that you are not alone.”

The Gay Straight Alliance at Angelo State University was first formed six years ago by Dr. Rallo, the president of the university at the time. The group has changed their name from Helping to Educate Regarding Orientation (HERO) to Gay Straight Alliance in order to be more recognizable both within the community and at large.

Sanchez said, “One of the things ASU really has going for them is definitely diversity. And if it not diversity, then it is just people open to new cultures and the idea of culture competence.”

For more on ASU’s Gay Straight Alliance, visit their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/HERO.ASU/

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As heterosexual male, I've never understood the idea of someone needing to "come out" as it were. If what the LGBT community says is true, that they are "born that way", then why does someone need to "come out" about their sexuality? I never "came out" concerning my heterosexuality? I guess by broading the definition of "coming out" to include anyone who doesn't quite fit within the norms and morals of society, then the LGBT community feels more justified. Silly stuff!
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A nice way of putting it is...well...there are a number of people that still don't accept the LGBT community and even act violently towards them. Some discover who they are and coming out is a way to break some pretty big news to people that have known you your whole life. Its a life changing experience that can make or break someone especially in places like the bible belt of the south where its viewed as an "Abomination" and coming out is a very stressful thing to do because it means you may keep your friends and family or they will disown you and have nothing to do with you. When I came out my mother told me to keep my life style where I live and that I am walking down a dark path. My brother threatened to smack me if I ever went near his kids. My uncle told me I was going to tear the family apart. All of my friends were cool with it. My daddy said he would always love me and asked if my room mate still wanted to buy his car (Dads pfft)...So coming out is reaching a point in your life where you want to be true to yourself and tell everyone that...this is me. And they either continue with you in life like they always have been or have nothing to do with you anymore. My friends have become my family now.

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Once again, you have shown your ignorance. It is people like you who make it difficult for homosexuals to come out because you feel the need to try and shame them for their feelings rather than just accepting them as a human being. Instead of being a Judgy McJudgerson you should stand up for your fellow person and support them in any way possible.
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azwe, me thinks you are a troll. You like to argue and call names rather than discuss the issues. I was asking a serious question about an event that doesn't make sense. Why do LGBTs feel they need a special day for something that is just normal for them? That's like if left handed people celebrated their normality with coming out day, color flags and catchy slogans. Get past your fear and anger for people who don't believe as you do and have a civil discussion if you can.
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In these cases, I am not trolling you. I am pointing out that even though most see nothing wrong with homosexuality, there are some that do and like to try to shame those people for just being themselves. Coming out day is meant to show people that it is ok to be who you are regardless of what anyone else tells you. It is OK to be gay, and yet some people have to deal with parents telling them there is something wrong with them. That is wrong on so many levels and I hope you can see that too.
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So, you admit you are a “troll”, just not on this issue, so then, there is nothing more to say. But, I will say this, the LGBT coming out day is nothing more than political tool used by a ban of misfits who want to get the rest of America to accept their lifestyle. The LGBT is not all inclusive in this effort! They really don’t mean for EVERYONE to come out; what about the adulterers, drug users, pedophiles, cat kickers, alcoholics, and the rest of the people who don’t feel they fit within the norms of society? You can bet that ASU would shut that event down if we ALL showed up and “came out”! The LGBT is just another special interest group with an agenda and lifestyle that over half of Americans don’t approve of. Stay IN!
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I will always come off as a troll to people like you because I support causes that you fear and that make you feel icky. There is zero reason to not support LGBT people, yet you sit here and tell them to hide their feelings and who they are. I really don't understand what makes that ok for you, but I could never look another person in the eye and say you are less than a person than me just because of who you love.
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Way to AVOID the real issue here! It's not about who we love, heck, I love my dogs, but I'm not going to build a national holiday around it and seek out special status and funding for my cause. I'm not going to ask society and the government to rewrite the laws so that I can express my love (marry) my dogs. I live quietly, normally, and peacefully with my neighbors. We dog lovers don't need to shove (dog doo doo) in people's faces like the LGBT types do. So you see, it's not about who we love, it's about trying to rewrite societal norms so that the LGBTs can feel comfortable with what they are and what they do. That my friend will NEVER happen, hence, the struggle.
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If you haven't noticed, it is happening. This country is becoming more accepting and more tolerant to the LGBT lifestyle. Are you really going to bring up the marrying your dog thing? Comparing the love life of two consenting adults to that of your supposed romantic love of your dog is both creepy and childish. The good news is that one day sooner than later, sexual equality will be as normalized as race equality and you all will get see what it feels like to be on the wrong side of history.
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Ahhh, so glad you played the "race card"... did you know there is NO national coming out day for whites, blacks, Asians, Jews, Hispanics, Texans, etc? We have no organization, lobby, special interest group or fund raising. What a shame! Why do you suppose that is? We are just Americans, living our normal American life, like everyone else. btw, who decides what is "creepy" and "icky" in our society?
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"Why do you think that is?" Easy, because acceptance is required by law now. Was that the case back in the 60s? No. People were not afforded equal rights solely based on color. Now because of law, every minority group except homosexuals cannot be discriminated against. Now, same sex couples just want the same rights as everyone else around them and the closed minded masses have an issue with it. They have no valid arguments against it other than religious objection or it makes them feel icky. As for who determines norms, it comes down to the social majority; which, thankfully, is evolving.
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Get a clue, the reason minority groups and various ethnic groups never had a "coming out" day is because they didn't CHOOSE to be who they are, they were born Asian, black, white, Hispanic, Italian, etc,. The LGBTs are the only group of people to ever feel the need to "come out" as they say, which indicates to me that they are choosing to become something or someone else, which further indicates they've been living a lie and now have come to accept it and therefore, "come out" (tell) about it. I accept the fact that people can choose to be and live gay, that doesn't bother me a bit. It's when they feel the need to announce it to the world and make big deal out of it and change the laws concerning it, that's what I have a hard time with. You don't see adulterers and pedophiles announcing their sexual preferences to the world.
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Are you two through throwing barbs at each other, or are you trying to show how much you know about the LGBT subject. Just in case you two missed it. We all and I mean everyone breaths air, we all have a heart that beats and we all bleed red. Irregardless of your choice of who you choose to love we are all still PEOPLE. So... stop fussing and go live what ever life you choose and stop trying to get everyone to believe what you feel they should.

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