Assistant Residential Coordinator, Residential Housing  
Graduate Student, Southeast Asian Studies           

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:
Southeast Asian Studies Association Faculty/Student Representative, OUTGrads & Non-Trads, Monsoon (Contributor), Residential Housing Staff Training & Development Committee, South Green Mental Health Campaign Committee

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT?
In our diverse community at OU, it is incredibly important for members of the LGBT+ community to know there are OUT faculty, staff and other students.  Whether they actually utilize us as a resource or not, we have an impact.  Additionally, it is important to be meaningfully engaged in our work or studies and be OUT so that others do not assume or take for granted that they are only working with heterosexuals.

WHY ARE YOU “PROUD”?  WHAT ARE YOU MOST “PROUD” OF?
I'm proud of how being Queer has enriched my life and ability to empathize with others.  There are little moments that stick with you where you know you've made someone rethink an issue or realize that just because you identify as Queer does not mean you cannot have an open mind about the opinions of others, even those you vehemently disagree with.  From a different perspective, being on the board of the International Gay & Lesbian Youth Organization for five years was one of the defining periods during my undergraduate life.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT?
Naturally, the actual step of coming out to my parents was the most difficult.  If they had only told me they figured it out when I was five years old it would have made certain things in my life much easier!  The second most difficult thing was realizing that the LGBT community itself mirrors society in the sense of all our problems, prejudices, petty squabbles and so on.  I naively expected some sort of utopia along with my "gold membership card” and toaster.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT?
Be yourself and be safe...mind, body and spirit.

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS:
The non-LGBT+ community has such an opportunity with us and it takes very little effort, often, on your part.  Use inclusive language, do not assume people have the same experiences you do, don't expect us to be OUT immediately (conversely don't expect us not to be!), create safe spaces, ask questions.  "Identity" is on a continuum and it is amazing what we can learn from each other.  Also, hetero-identified people should not be surprised to find out that the LGBT+ population makes fun and jokes about them, too!  We can give as much as we get!

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Tolerance doesn't mean anything to me.  If you want me to respect your thoughts, beliefs and practices, then I expect, rather demand, the same respect in return.  After all, what if most of the world were LGBT+ and you were part of the heterosexual minority…wouldn't you want the same thing?