IU students observe Coming Out Day

Senior Will O'Berry's father tells him he should get ready to settle down, live by himself for awhile, and then start looking for someone to spend the rest of his life with. But Will O'Berry's idea of who he will love is likely different from his father's idea. Will has not yet told his father that he is gay.\nNow the program coordinator at Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Support Services, he thinks he will have his coming out discussion with his parents soon. Today is National Coming Out Day, a day meant to empower GLBT individuals to live openly and be proud of who they are. Students and the public are invited to stop by the GLBT Student Services office, located at 705 E. Seventh St., between 12 and 5 p.m. for snacks and information about GLBT issues.\nNational Coming Out day began in 1987 with half a million people marching in Washington, D.C., for gay rights, according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. \nSenior Matt Brunner, president of the Hoosier Rights Campaign, said a closet door and frame will be positioned near the Woodburn Hall clock. Students can go through the door to celebrate their coming out. \n"We want to commemorate people who have fought so hard since the Stonewall riots to fight for gay rights, and also encourage people to be open and honest with themselves," Brunner said.\nO'Berry has been out to his close friends since he was 15. \n"In elementary school, there was something different about me," he said. "I came to realize in my early teens what it was, and had to come to terms with it."\nHe said he's from a rural fundamentalist Christian area, and it was difficult to come out to everyone. \n"I haven't come out to my parents because they're very centered in their fundamentalist beliefs," he said. "I would like to tell them soon; at this point in life I feel secure and ready."\nO'Berry thinks his parents might be hurt, angry and blame themselves. He said they equate being gay with leading a sinful life and don't believe homosexuality is relative to each person.\nSophomore Robert Clinton said the day is also focused on finding equality for the GLBT community. \n"Coming out is a big deal," he said. "People can get beat up for it. You need to have a lot of bravery and support."\nBrunner said coming out is an extremely personal decision, and many are not comfortable doing it. He said people might fear rejection from friends, family, co-workers and their religious community. He knows this first-hand. \n"My dad told me I should go to hell," he said. \nHis mother cried, and was worried about his health and having to live a harder life. Though his father cut him off financially, Brunner said his parents are coming around. \n"My dad says he still loves me, he just disagrees with my lifestyle," he said.\nBrunner said in the last few years, Americans have become more accepting of GLBT people. He encourages people who identify themselvesas GLBT and their allies to speak up for their rights. \n"We have to speak out against anti-gay hate and stand up for gay friends and family members," he said. "It's the only way we'll achieve equality"