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WCU - LGBTQIA+ Archive of Jackson County

Western Carolinian article "'Coming Out Day' is Friday"

  • hl-westerncarolinianclipping-1991-10-10-vol57-no09-05.jpg
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  • This article by contributing writer Michelle Mazzucco in the October 10, 1991 Western Carolinian is titled "Coming Out Day is Friday." The article explains that National Coming Out Day is October 11 and commemorates the 1987 March on Washington for lesbian and gay rights. Mazzucco talks about the process and difficulties of coming out and offers suggestions for ways to take a step toward being openly gay. Suggestions for how non-gay people can help normalize gayness are also offered. The article provides a number for counseling and psychological services and states that they facilitate the RAP group, a discussion group. The first mention of the Lesbian and Gay Rap Group was in 1987. The group existed alongside Lavender Bridges and was geared toward emotional support for lesbians and gay men. Founded in 1985, Lavender Bridges was the first organized group for lesbians and gay men on campus. The last mention of Lavender Bridges appeared in the October 10, 1991 issue of the Western Carolinian.
  • Coming Out Day is Friday Michelle Mazzucco Contributing Writer Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day (NCOD), On this day, many gay and lesbian people will choose to assert themselves publicly by acknowledging their sexual identity. The Oct. 11 date was chosen as NCOD in commemoration of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, a milestone for more than 600,000 lesbians and Gay men who attended, and for the gay and lesbian community nationwide. NCOD is a day of celebration for lesbians and Gay men and is designed to encourage the individual to take a next step in the process of coming out, or being open with someone else about their sexual identity. This encouragement spreads also to families and friends of lesbians and Gay men to be open and affirmative, to enlarge the circle of acceptance and respect for lesbians and Gay men. Coming out might best be viewed as a process with stages of progression. Very important to note is that this process in individualistic in nature in that each lesbian or gay sets her or his own pace for move ment. For some, it follows an all or nothing avenue. For others, the most minute movement in the direction of being openly gay or lesbian is fear- inducing. It is always up to the individual to determine the appropriate pace. Regardless of how a lesbian or gay decides to maintain their identity with others, it is important to consider how being openly gay or lesbian might impact on their psychological well-being. Those choose to hide their identity often argue their position as being necessary for survival. It is simply too frightening to be out because of pressures from society, because of expected repercussion, negative responses from others, and possible violence perpetrated by "homohaters." This is understandable. However, consider that only by being oneself can one achieve a sense of wholeness, of inner peace, and self-respect. It is not inevitable that Gay men and lesbians should lead a hidden life feeling less worthy than others, agreeing to hide their partner's identity. It is perhaps a pattern set down before and inhibiting personal growth, happiness, and healthy self-esteem. What non-gay individual would agree to hide an important life transition such as choosing a permanent partner, for example? Or call the person with whom they had chosen to walk through life as partners their "roommate?" Or answer "No" to the question "Are you married?", when in fact they have lived with their lover/ partner for several years and fully intend to be doing so for many more? It might be helpful to remember, again, the process and to consider where one is with this process. No matter where one is, Oct. 11 is the day when any lesbian or gay might try to take a next step in their own process. It is a day when many will begin trading the habit of hiding for the habit of being or coming out. Although only each individual can decide what step to take, NCOD organizers have a suggested list of Ideas for Coming Out similar to these: ** Visit a basically straight bookstore that sells lesbian/ gay titles and openly browse. ** Take a lover/ partner home for the holidays. ** Tell a friend that you are gay. ** Join a politically-oriented organization. ** Put your lover's photo on your desk at work. ** Wear an openly gay symbol or but ton while shopping. ** Read gay-affirmative literature in the cafeteria or in a restaurant. ** Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper commenting on gay issues. ** Call him a him and her a her when talking about your love life. ** Write a check to a gay organization using the full name of the organization. ** Write a letter to your Senator or Congresspcrson in support ol the 1991 Civil Rights Amendment Act (for gay/lesbian civil rights). ** Join a support group for gay men and lesbians. ** Invite your straight and gay friends to the same party. ** Hold hands publicly. ** Have both of your names on your magazine subscriptions. ** Speak the truth when asked, "So, are you engaged yet?" ** Come out to your family — parents, brothers and/or sisters. * * Be affectionate with your lover or partner upon arrival or departure at the airport. ** Put a pink triangle or Lambda bumper sticker on your car. ** Boycott a company or organization which discriminates and let them know about it. For non-gay persons, NCOD might be a day to move in the direction of being gay-affirmative, or respectful of lesbians and Gay men as fellow humans deserving of the same rights. It might be a day to do something to "normalize" gayness by, perhaps, inviting a same-sex couple over for dinner or to go bowling or to a movie. If lesbian and gay issues are of interest to you, or if you are experiencing a need to talk with someone about sexual identity problems, Counseling and Psychological Services offers services to students free of charge. Call 227-7469, M-F, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., or come by Scott 114 to make an appointment. All information shared is stricdy confidential. Counseling and Psychological Services also facilitates a discussion group for lesbians and Gay men. More information may be obtained by calling or coming in to ask about the RAP group.

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LGBTQIA+ Archive of Jackson County

WCU LGBTQIA+ Archive partners with UNC-Asheville and the non-profit organization Blue Ridge Pride to create a regional archive of LGBTQ oral histories and ephemera.  ...

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