Students share 'coming out' tales

When Engineering sophomore Kurt Klinger told his ex-girlfriend that he was gay, he found out that he wasn't alone. Klinger's ex revealed at that same time that she, too, was not straight. "Finding out my ex-girlfriend was lesbian totally blew my mind," he said. Klinger and about six others shared their coming out stories at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Center Thursday evening, ending the week of "National Coming Out Days." The stories ranged from emotional to light-hearted. College and Wharton junior Mike Rogan opened the night's discussion with his own personal coming out story. After coming out to himself at the age of 15, Rogan refrained from telling friends and family because he had witnessed the harassment toward another gay in his high school. Rogan finally resolved, "I have to be myself or might as well not live." Eventually, he decided to come out to his mother and later to his friends. Several students recounted how finding the personal strength to come out was the most difficult part of the process, adding that coming out usually meant changing how they "carried themselves." College sophomore Mike Hartwyk explained, "I had no direction anymore [after coming out] because I had tried so hard to keep it from other people." While talking about his realization about being gay, Klinger said, "I needed to figure out if this was who I was and this feels right then it must be who I am." Klinger told the group how he couldn't pinpoint when he knew he was gay, but explained that there was a moment when he realized, "hey, girls aren't really doing it for me anymore." Most of the students speaking stated that they had a positive experience with being gay at Penn. Although Rogan has been harassed through massive e-mails for an entire semester, the other students felt that the people at Penn have been really supportive. College freshman Michelle White said about her housemates, "people have been really supportive, asking questions. People here are actually interested." LGB Center Director Bob Schoenberg said the event was "something intimate, where people can share personal experiences in coming out and moving on." The gathering was for students to share their stories about similar experiences and their success with coming out, Schoenberg said. Although the majority of students at the gathering were gay, there were some students who attended with hopes of becoming more aware of gays and lesbians on campus. College freshman Kim Slonaker said, "It really opened our eyes to the hardships that they go through and who they really are." The events honoring National Coming Out Days have allowed students at Penn to become more aware and involved with the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. According to Schoenberg, the night of storytelling reaffirmed the LGB Center's role in giving the community a sense of pride and understanding toward lesbians and gays. The LGB Center hopes to continue raising awareness throughout Philadelphia. Schoenberg said the center is currently planning a gay college fair for high school students in West Philadelphia.

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