Gerard Albert III/Editor in Chief
Coming out is oftentimes a vulnerable, even scary moment for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Coming out can be defined as coming to terms with, accepting, or realizing one’s personal identity It can also be an external experience when disclosing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity with others.
The concept stems from society’s silently enforced heteronormativity. This being that heterosexual and cisgender are considered the default identities.
October 11th marked the 31st anniversary of one of the largest LGBTQ+ holidays today.
What started as a celebration to honor the second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights has turned into an international observance known as Coming Out Day.
While the terms of coming out may vary depending on each individual story, five FIU students talked about their own coming out experiences.
Junior and biology major, Noel Risco, identifies as a gay cuban man. He has never felt the need to come out to anyone but his parents, only formally coming out once.
“For my friends and the people close to me, it was like it was for myself. It was organic and genuine,” he said.
For some people, coming out is a process, not a one time thing.
Rosen T. Gordon, is a sophomore double majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies along with Latin American and Carribbean Studies. Zhe identifies as aporaflux, omnisexual, aromantic, and asexual.
“I come out on a daily basis when I tell people my name and pronouns. So I go by what people call neopronouns,” zhe said.
Junior and International Relations major, Mercury Neon, identifies as agender, asexual, aromantic, diamoric, and polyamorous.
They said, “I remember my parents telling me that I was just confused so I remember pushing that down for a very long time.”
Jesse Fraga, is a sophomore, double majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies and Journalism. They identify as a queer, transgender, nonbinary person.
After originally coming out to their friends and family as a gay girl, they realized their gender identity was much deeper than their attraction to girls.
“My parents say they’re accepting, that they’ll love me no matter what, but when it comes down to it, they aren’t always there to have my back. When you’re on testosterone, it’s clearly a visible change so I had to come out at some point.”
Showing others one’s true self can make an impact on those around you. Sophomore and Journalism major, Katherine Wong, identifies as bisexual.
She said, “I had this group of friends and I was the first to come out. It kind of had this chain effect where all of my friends started coming out because they felt more comfortable.”
If you would like to speak to a licensed clinician in regards to LGBTQ+ hardships you may be facing, please reach out to CAPS at 305-348-2277, or visit SHC 270 (MMC) or WUC 320 (BBC).
Jesse Fraga contributed reporting to this article.
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