Lucia Craig, Lesbian
Senior, Social Work                                   

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:
Right now I play rugby with the OU Rugby team and I LOVE it!  I use to be in Title IX, a women's Accapella group.  I've been a member of Open Doors and Unify.  I'm a panelist for SpeakOUT, and I've got my SafeZone sticker too.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT or TO BE AN ALLY?
I came out for me mostly. I'd die in the closet.  When I came out, I wasn't thinking about anyone else. Now, I think it's important to support other people who were in my situation.  It was relatively easy for me to come out to friends and family, but I still had a lot of problems coming to terms with things.  I thought that gay was the worst affliction I could have after hearing family talk about it when I was little.  There is a lot of self doubt, and there are a lot of questions. Having a community that one can talk to makes all the difference when you're learning about yourself.  We need to be here for each other.

WHY ARE YOU “PROUD”? WHAT ARE YOU MOST “PROUD” OF?
I'm proud of my friends, who haven't had as easy a time as I have.  I'm proud of my family, whose love never faltered.  I'm proud that I'm equipped with the abilities to help them as they are navigating the difficult process of coming out.  I'm proud that people feel safe coming to me when they are having a crisis.  I think my greatest accomplishment in life is being approachable to those in need.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT?
It was hardest to admit it to myself.  I really thought I was straight for a long time.  I figured my lack of success in love was because something about me was unappealing to men.  Once I figured it out, my friends and family were easy to tell. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT?
Take it slow. Talk to someone who's been there.  Go to counseling.  Tell a friend before you tell your family, and make sure that friend will be available to help you out if your family doesn't take it well. Develop a support network, and if someone you love doesn't take it well at first, give them time.  If they love you, they will come around.

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS:
All people are different. Gay people have their good days and their bad days just like everyone else.  We're not all the same, and we don’t all have the same beliefs.  Try not to think of us as a population, but as individuals.