Maggie Best-Miller, Lesbian 
Senior, Sociology-Criminology           

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:
Open Doors: Female Co-chair, Bridging the Diversity Gap

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT or TO BE AN ALLY?
It is important to be out because it raises awareness about LGBT people and it shows society that we are people and that we deserve to be treated equally. It is also important to be out to help other LGBT people feel comfortable about who they are. 

WHY ARE YOU “PROUD”? WHAT ARE YOU MOST “PROUD” OF?
I am proud because being a lesbian is part of who I am. It is not my whole life, but it is a large part of it and being proud makes me enjoy my life that much more. I am most proud of Open Doors. I love being involved and seeing my work put into action. I love working with my co-chair, Joe Evans, to help the community and make it more fun.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT?
The most difficult part of coming out was telling my step-mother because we get along very well and I wasn’t sure how she would react. When I did tell her she told me she already knew so I was worried for nothing.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT?
I would tell others that coming out can be very stressful, but after you do it you feel so much better. You don’t have to hide who you are and you feel like you can be yourself no matter who is around you.

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS:
I would always advise non-LGBT people to be conscious of what they say because people often exclude LGBT people without realizing it. This is especially true when people talk about dating and relationships.