Erin Aluise, Lesbian                     
Senior - Sculpture            

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU: 
Art exhibits political demonstrations and activism.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT or TO BE AN ALLY?  
It’s important to be out because it lets me be who I really am.  It shows others that LGBT people are real and living life the best they can—just like everyone else.

WHY ARE YOU “PROUD”?  WHAT ARE YOU MOST “PROUD” OF? 
I’m PROUD because being a lesbian is a large part of my identity.  I’m most proud of my close friends and the bonds that we didn’t always know that we shared (i.e. my coming out, as well as their coming out).

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT? 
It was difficult for me to tell some of my friends.  I thought that some of them were freaked out by my openness.  This resulted in a re-closeting to some of my best friends.  It was a huge step back for me.  However, now everything is good again!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT?
Be honest with yourself first!  Once you understand yourself you can communicate to others who you are and you can better answer any questions people might have.

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS: 
We are people too!!  We have feelings that are just as fragile as non-lgbt people.  We are not abject creatures that dwell in the sinister hallways of the assumed. LGBT people are everywhere.  There could be one sitting right next to you.