Micah Mitchell, Gay
Junior - Organizational Communication

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:
Ohio University Board of Trustees - Student Trustee, Unify, First Year Experience Team, Resident Assistant – Ryors Hall, Quality & Diversity Subcommittee of the Strategic Planning Group, Student African-American Brotherhood, Center for Student Legal Services Board, Honors College Advisory Council and the City of Athens Community Relations Committee.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT?
I have the potential to help others understand issues in a way that can help foster a greater appreciation for diversity.

WHY ARE YOU “PROUD”?  WHAT ARE YOU MOST “PROUD” OF?
I’m proud of my decision to respect myself by embracing my whole identity and allowing others to know me for the whole that I am.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT?
Following my heart and consciously choosing to go against the advice of those who were concerned with the negative impact being “out” could have on my personal safety and professional well-being.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT?
Consider those who have suffered hate and discrimination in response to poor understanding of how it feels to be and what it’s like to be LGBT.  If you feel you’re a good person at heart, think about the positive impact you could have on someone who has never been able to associate homosexual behavior with anything “good.”

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS:
We can change the world for the better if we embrace the values of love, respect, and an appreciation for diversity. You are an important component of that change.