To my fellow Students,
Last Thursday, Oct. 11, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and more (LGBT+) community rejoiced as we celebrated the 30th National Coming Out Day. A day that celebrates ‘coming out of the closet,’ a way for LGBT+ people to tell their friends, family, or even themselves about their sexual orientation or preferred gender identity. But where does this historic holiday have its roots?
According to the Human Rights Campaign (the largest LGBT+ civil rights advocacy group in the nation) on Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the national March on Washington D.C. for Lesbian and Gay Rights. It was the second demonstration of its kind in our nation’s capital.
As a result of this event, two leaders of the LGBT+ community, Rob Eichberg and Jean O’Leary, recognized their community often reacted defensively to homophobic actions. The two were able to find a solution the following year by creating a national day to celebrate coming out, which encourages those who may be hesitant, or ‘in the closet’ to embrace their true selves.
LGBT+ leaders believed that homophobia was born out of a culture of shame and silence. These leaders believed if people could see that they have LGBT+ friends and loved ones, they would be less likely to discriminate against them. Thus, in October of 1988, National Coming Out Day was born, honoring the anniversary of the historic March on D.C.
But what does this have to do with the WSU Vancouver campus? You may think that it’s not that big of a deal. That gay marriage is legal now, so it’s not an issue. Unfortunately, that is not the case. LGBT+ individuals are still discriminated against everyday. Not just in the places where homophobia is more common, like the south, but also here in communities surrounding our campus.
In 2018, the city of Vancouver received a 71/100 on the Municipal Equality Index, a national report by the Human Rights Campaign on how inclusive different city’s municipal laws, policies and services are of LGBT+ people who live and work there. The national average on this index is 55/100. Major Washington cities like Seattle, Olympia and Bellevue received a perfect score of 100. This score is based on Non-Discrimination laws, municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and relationship with the LGBT+ community. In contrast to Vancouver, Pullman, WA. (where WSU’s main campus is) received a score of 56/100. How are we supposed to look up to our main campus if they are not properly representing the LGBT+ community in their laws and policies?
When factors like these are taken into account, making the decision to come out is still very personal. It can feel isolating and for some people, dangerous. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 40 percent of the homeless youth served by agencies identify as LGBT+. The most frequently cited factor contributing to LGBT+ homelessness was family rejection based on sexual orientation and gender identity, leaving teens on the street after being forced out by their family.
Even in the face of discrimination, LGBT+ members of the Vancouver community are still out and proud. According to TheStreet, an American financial news and services company, at 5.4 percent the Portland/Vancouver area has the second-largest LGBT community in the country. The Saturday in the Park Pride happened in July, an annual event since 1994 for members of the community to come together and celebrate who they are. Even on our campus, the Pride Club is larger and more active than ever before, with two of their members, Colten Sullivent and Abigail Bambilla, currently holding positions in the WSU Vancouver student government senate.
Everyone’s journey is different and it’s certainly not a straight line. It can take time, but you are allowed to overlap and even change your mind. It doesn’t matter your sexual history or your current relationship status. You don’t have to prove your identity to anyone, even if you don’t fulfill typical stereotypes of your sexuality/gender identity. You can be a transgender person who doesn’t feel the need to physically transition, or an asexual person who enjoys having sex. Or even a bisexual who is a serial monogamist (like me!). So don’t let anyone put conditions on your identity. If you aren’t hurting anyone, no one has any business telling you what is right and wrong about who you are.
Whether you have been out of the closet for years, you are still in the closet or you are just beginning to question parts of your identity, there is a community out there who loves and accepts you. So never be ashamed of who you are and wear your true colors with pride.
Sincerely,
Kassidy Young
VanCougar Ad Manager
Proud member of the bisexual community
1-866-488-7386