Shannon Custer, Lesbian 
Senior, Video Production                                  

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:
Member of Open Doors, Empowering Women of Ohio, Athens VideoWorks 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT or TO BE AN ALLY?
It’s important to be out because a person should not feel the need to hide who they are. It feels so much better not having to monitor your speech for fear of something slipping and someone finding out. It is a tremendous help to have supportive friends you can talk to, but if you don’t tell them, they can’t be there in that respect. 

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT?
I’ve only just begun my coming out process. It’s not something that is quick and then moved on from, it’s a continual process.You’re constantly meeting new people and have to re-come out all the time. What I personally fear is being judged and viewed differently by people.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT?
It’s very important to have a core supportive group of friends whom you trust and can turn to and openly talk about what you’re going through; it makes the transition much easier.

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS:
A person’s sexual orientation does not alone define who that person is. Just as there are vast differences among heterosexuals, the same is true for homosexuals. Being gay is an attribute but has no bearing on who someone is as a person or what he or she stands for. So please don’t stereotype or assume we’re all the same.