from the editor
Smbhmi
borrow from the Human Rights Campaigns catch-
phrase -"Lets talk about it," coming out that is.
Embracing ones sexual identity is a personal decision
and can prove to be a daunting task. But I can attest that
the decision to come out will lead to a more honest, fulfill
ing life. At the end of the day, we are better off living true to
ourselves rather than remaining in the closet.
The hardest part of the process for me has been
coming out to my mother, even though she was the last
frmily member I had to tell. When I made my revelation,
she dropped her napkin and left the restaurant we were in; without a ride, I had to
walk several miles to get back home. When I later stepped in the kitchen to resume
our conversation, she refused and asked me to leave. I did just that and drove to my
father s place. My mom and I did not talk for two and a half months.
Now more than a year later, she has begun to come around. For example, I
told her last week that I was visiting my boyfriend in Washington for fall break; she
acknowledged what I said without getting upset. These litde steps toward acceptance
are testament to the fact that even the most difficult people in our lives can move in
the right direction. Did I mention how supportive the rest of my family, fiiends and
fraternity brothers have been? They have accepted me as I am.
October 11 is National Coming Out Day, and in conjunction with that date,
GLBT-S A wants students to talk about it. After all, coming out also serves the
greater community because it makes us more visible, an important step toward ad
dressing the systematic homophobia in our society. Lambda encourages students to
take part in any number of the events planned for the annual "Coming Out" Week.
Go ahead, learn to love your letter.
As the new editor of Lambda, I want to say that Im honored to have such a
dedicated staff this year. And we will be working hard to keep you up to date on
what is going on in the local LGBTIQ community and beyond.
Cheers,
Thomas Cluderay
cluderay@email.unc,edu
Mission
LAMBDA IS UNC-Chapel Hill’s Lesbian-, Gay-, Bisexual-,
Tr/\nsgender-, Intersex- and Queer-aeeirming publication,
PROVIDING A PROGRESSIVE OUTLET LOR NEWS, ANALYSIS, OPINION AND DIALOG.UE,
As suc:h, we are inherenti.y committed to a eeminist, anti-racist and
HISTORICALLY CONSCIOUS PERSPECTIVE IN PURSUIT OE SOC;iAL JUSTICE EOR ALl, PEOPLE.
lambdX
Box 39
Carolina Union, CB# 5210
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
lanibda@uncedu
Office: FPG Snident Union 3512D
(919) 962-3191
•
www.uncedu/glbtsa/lambda
Team
Thomas Cluderay
Editor in Chief
Win Chesson
Alanaffng Editor
Jermaine Caldwell
Ec^out Editor
Eric Velarde
Photo Editor
Teddy Kirby
Business Manager
Win Chesson
Kimberly Fisher
Allison Harrison
Jasmine Hernandez
Scott Kaplan
Nate Lumpkin
David Peterson
Terri Phoenix
Megan Rolfe
Jessica Scruggs
Robert WeUs
Anonymous
Contributors
Jermaine Caldwell
Graphics
LAMBDA is a project of the Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, Transgender - Straight Alliance
ITiis publication is fimded at least in part by
student fees, which were appropriated and
dispensed by the Student Government at
the Universit)’ of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
LAMBDA is printed in Benson, N.C.,
by Benson News Printing.