Evan Robinson, Gay
Freshman - Industrial Systems Engineering and International Business

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU: 
President of SHADES, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB), UNIFY, Annoited Ministries, and FACES Modeling.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT? 
I believe that until the time you are able to come out, you are being untrue to yourself, and until that happens you can’t truly be happy. Also, the more people that come out, the more others will see and interact with people of the LGBT community, and as a result become more aware and sensitive to our issues.

WHY ARE YOU PROUD? WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?  
I am proud that I am able to be myself, and even though it seemed like I was taking a step forward and then two steps back while coming out, I am most proud of my family and friends who never stopped supporting me.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT?
Being raised in a Christian, African-American family, I always lived with fears of having to come out. The most difficult part of coming out was making that commitment to do so, but once you tell that first person and/or receive that first bit of support, things just seemed to fall into place.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT? 
The act of coming out can be one of the most liberating things a person can experience. First, I would say build a support system around you. Tell the friends or family that you are fairly sure will support you. It is a process that I believe no one can do alone.

THOUGHTS FOE NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS: 
Without the support from our allies, the effort of the LGBT community for equality would be nearly useless.

COMMENTS: "Be no one, except 'I'"