Did you know October 11th (TODAY) is National Coming Out Day?
What does that mean for MCC faculty/staff and students?
In recognition of National Coming Out Day, the advisors and student members of Monroe Community College Pride Alliance Club would like to share with the MCC community some valuable information from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) website… <<
https://www.hrc.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Coming_Out/Get_Informed4/Coming_Out3/Index.htm>>
If you or your students are interested in joining the Monroe Community College Pride Alliance Club or would like more information, contact the advisor(s):
Bess Watts – "
mailto:bwatts@monroecc.edu", ext. 2318
Martha Kendall – "
mailto:mkendall@monrocc.edu", ext. 2214
Joyce Medwin – "
mailto:jmedwin@monroecc.edu", ext. 2920
Or drop by our new club office: 3-138R on the Brighton Campus
Coming Out
Being brave doesn’t mean that you’re not scared. It means that if you are scared, you do the thing you’re afraid of anyway.
Coming out and living openly as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or as a straight-supportive person is an act of bravery and authenticity.
Whether it’s for the first time ever, or for the first time today — coming out may be most important thing you will do all day.
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Coming Out at Work
Being open at work can be a daunting challenge. But it can also relieve the daily stress of hiding who you are.
Benefits of Being Open at Work
· Eliminates the need to hide or mislead.
· Makes deeper friendships possible.
· Breaks down barriers to understanding.
· Builds trusting working relationships.
· Lets us bring our “whole selves” to work.
· Being open can make you more productive, and can even benefit your career because your peers will see you in a new, perhaps even courageous, light.
The benefits of coming out:
· Living an open and whole life.
· Developing closer, more genuine relationships.
· Building self-esteem from being known and loved for who we really are.
· Reducing the stress of hiding our identity.
· Connecting with others who are GLBT.
· Being part of a strong and vibrant community.
· Helping to dispel myths and stereotypes about who GLBT people are and what our lives are like.
· Becoming a role model for others.
· Making it easier for younger GLBT people who will follow in our footsteps.
The risks of coming out:
· Not everyone will be understanding or accepting.
· Family, friends or co-workers may be shocked, confused or even hostile.
· Some relationships may permanently change.
· We may experience harassment or discrimination.
· Some young people, especially those under age 18, may be thrown out of their homes or lose financial support from parents.