In honor of National Coming Out Day, Sinclair’s Brite Signal Alliance presented the event “Coming Out Stories.”
“Coming out is not a moment, it is a process,” said Sky Burke.
Telling family and friends can be a scary experience.
Burke has been a member of the organization for over three years and says his coming out could have been worse; all experiences are different and unique.
LGBTQ+ youth continue to experience more violence and suicide risk than heterosexual youths. So, what can be done? A person may be unaware of the microaggressions they convey. It can be unintentional but still hurtful.
“Don’t be a jerk and say that you already knew,” said Burke.
The Brite Signal Alliance is committed to promoting equity and raising awareness about the diversity of sexual orientation and gender identity, including challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
This student club offers support, education, and fun while promoting greater diversity awareness and change to the local college and community.
“Just four years ago I came out to my southern Christian family. I was afraid,” said another participant. She brought her longtime girlfriend to a family party after coming out. “It is freedom being able to live an authentic life.”
Presenters shared their experiences and provided information and guidance to help everyone be supportive and affirming.
“It’s all right to be surprised, ask questions. Not questions like, can I tell my friends or give me details,” said Burke.
The message could not have been clearer. “This is not about you, it’s about them,” Burke said, “Ask how you can be an ally.”
According to data from the 2015 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) of surveyed LGBT students:
- 10% were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property
- 34% were bullied on school property
- 28% were bullied electronically
- 23% of LGBT students who had dated or went out with someone had experienced sexual dating violence in the prior year
- 18% of LGBT students had experienced physical dating violence
- 18% of LGBT students had been forced to have sexual intercourse at some point in their lives.
To promote and support the LGBTQ+ community in high schools and colleges, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest:
- Encourage respect
- Identify safe places
- Encourage student run programs and clubs.
- Make sure health includes HIV, STDs, and pregnancy prevention relevant to LGBTQ+ community.
- Provide training for school staff
- Facilitate access to health providers in the community
For more information about the Brite Alliance and support for the LGBTQ+ community at Sinclair Community Colleg, contact Larry Lindstrom, LGBTQ+ Support Liaison.
Diane Sikora
Reporter