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Campus Life Students share their experiences with National Coming Out Day
Campus Life Students share their experiences with National Coming Out Day | Students share their experiences with National Coming Out Day |
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| Written by Kat Fay | ||||
| Wednesday, 10 October 2007 07:31 PM | ||||
 Political Science freshman Journey Murry has always been involved in gay rights activities and is currently a member of GLEE and HOMAGE. Today is National Coming Out Day, which celebrates the 1987 Gay and Lesbian March on Washington and encourages people to come out to loved ones. (The Shorthorn: Robert Rodriguez) Murry said she didn’t realize that her crushes were “different” until she was around the age of 13. She finally admitted to herself that she was a lesbian at 16. When Murry officially came out, she said her friends in her hometown of Abilene all knew and that they suspected it before it was brought up. “It’s not something I hide,” she said. “It’s on my Facebook and my MySpace, I just haven’t made a big announcement.” Today is National Coming Out Day, encouraging people to come out to others about their sexuality. According to the Human Rights Campaign Web site, Oct. 11 is the 20th anniversary of the 1987 Gay and Lesbian March on Washington, and the unfurling of the AIDS quilt on the National Mall. Information systems junior Tracy Nanthavongsa said in middle school he didn’t even know what being gay was, but he knew he was different from the other kids. Nanthavongsa said he decided to tell his parents his sophomore year of high school because his little brother was about to go to the same school and everyone there already knew about him. “For a little while they didn’t like the idea,” he said. “Now they are being okay with it, and they’ve met my boyfriend who also goes to UTA.” Murry was out of town for her birthday when she came out to her family. She said the subject was brought up in conversation, her sister asked her and she simply replied yes. “My family suspected anyways, so it wasn’t a big deal,” Murry said. “My mom told me she was proud of me for telling her.” Murry said she can tell that people are more open discussing it in general, see a difference in people’s tolerance and actions towards same-sex couples. Nanthavongsa said it is definitely much easier to be out now, compared to five years ago. He also said coming out completely depends on the person. “I think some people are confused, and some know they are gay for sure,” Nanthavongsa said. “No one should force anyone out, people are ready on their own time.” Nanthavongsa was published in The New York Times and New York magazine after they criticized a comment he made on a blog he runs called “treycruz.com — homo drama.” Nanthavongsa said he didn’t know the history behind National Coming Out Day, but thinks it’s a great opportunity for students to be open about themselves. He said last year the Gays Lesbians and Everyone Else club held an event where they handed out fliers and a lot of university students were very open to it. Murry said that although National Coming Out Day is a good thing, coming out is still a very personal choice. She said that although it lifts a weight off your shoulders, some people might be in a situation where parents might react violently, it might not be a good idea if coming out puts you in danger. “It can still be hard to be openly gay or lesbian, but it’s not as taboo as it used to be,” said Murry. Learn More Coming Out Project - Dallas / Fort Worth CorrectionThe Oct. 11 story “National Coming Out Day” should have said Journey Murry is a member of Homage, and that she did officially come out in her hometown of Abilene.. Views: 2176 | E-mail
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 November 2007 02:14 PM ) | ||||
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