Ohio University

Fluff Clough, Lesbian 

Freshman, Integrated Language Arts Education

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:

Women's Rugby

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT?:

It is important for me to be out because I do not want to hide who I am. I can completely be the person who I was born to be, and loving and accepting myself is vital to my happiness and overall well-being.

WHY ARE YOU PROUD?:

I am proud to be different. I believe that being who I am is an inspiration for others to be who they are.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART ABOUT COMING OUT?:

I came out my senior year of high school while attending a conservative, all girls’ Catholic school. It was challenging to come out in an environment like that because many girls had never been exposed to gay people before. I was worried about how they would take it. Most of them took it well but I had some trouble with a few; for the most part my coming out experience was painless.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT?:

I would encourage others to be confident in who they are and make sure they are fully certain and comfortable with themselves before coming out.

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS:

My experience with non-LGBT people is that they are not necessarily bigots but most people just do not know much about the LGBT community. Most people are just curious and willing to learn about our community, and are usually accepting once they have been informed and educated.