Betsy Kunstel, Lesbian
Sophomore -Women’s Studies        

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:
Resident Assistant - Wray Complex, Global Leadership Center, The Vagina Monologues, and the Baker Center Student Art Exhibit.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT or TO BE AN ALLY? 
It is important to be out because being “in the closet,” isn’t helping anyone -- not yourself or anyone else in your life.  Being out for me has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I know that by being out and being visible in the community, I have helped other people either come out themselves, or realize that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with being a person who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

WHY ARE YOU “PROUD”?  WHAT ARE YOU MOST “PROUD” OF?  
I’m proud of myself.  I’m proud that this past October I was able to say I’ve been out for 5 years.  I’m proud of myself for coming out in High School and putting up with the harassment only to help educate people in the end.  I’m proud to say that I have open, loving, accepting and wonderful family and friends.  I’m proud that I can open someone’s eyes to something they’ve never experienced before, I’m proud to say I have been some people’s very first LGBT friend. 

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT?  
Its funny, I’m not sure.  It all seems so easy now that I look back on it.  I never had difficulty coming to terms with it myself, and I wasn’t afraid to tell my parents or my friends.  I guess just trying to be a freshman in High School and be in a lesbian relationship and dealing with people who weren’t my close friends.  The only time I was ever harassed was right after I came out my freshmen year, then people seemed to get over it.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT?
Just do it.  You’ll feel so much better.  Being honest with yourself is one of the best feelings you can possibly have and it WILL get better, even if you think it won’t.

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS: 
We’re not all the same.  Some of us fit stereotypes and some of us don’t.  Some of us look like heterosexual couples and some of us have our own definition of love.  Get to know us before you pass judgment.