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i am late and im not sure what this is. but ig i wanted to say something, throw it into the internet void and hope somebody reads it. coming out day has not been the happiest holiday for me, although its not as bad as it could be. its been a rough decade, ive been through the l, the g, the b, the t, the q, the a, and many others. i just want to reassure anyone whos ever felt unsure of their identity that its normal for your identity to grow with you. if your identity shifts and changes in the future, its okay. your identity will always be real in the present regardless. coming out does not have to be a permanent declaration. nobody told that to me when i was going through it, so ig i wanted to be that change. its taken over 10 years but i think ive finally stopped having new identity crises every year and im proud to have experienced almost every letter in this community lol

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I came out in 1990 while a sophomore in chancellor high school in #fxbg. My parents were separated and divorcing, and I thought that since we were all being "honest" I'd go for it. I've always thought I had it easy. I told my "dad" in confidence at the Shoney's on route three in front of the mall. I thought he was the safest one to tell. Before I had gotten home he had found a way to tell her and she was pretty devastated. I didn't have parents after that. I stayed at "home" for awhile but nothing was ever getting easier or better.  The Academy of DC made sure I was safe and I worked a job that kept me far enough from trouble. We had a lot of fun and we survived a lot of stuff along the way, that while it was occurring, just seemed par for the course. Thank you to those of you who were and are there for me. I love you.

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I came out in 1990 while a sophomore in chancellor high school in #fxbg. My parents were separated and divorcing, and I thought that since we were all being "honest" I'd go for it. I've always thought I had it easy. I told my "dad" in confidence at the Shoney's on route three in front of the mall. I thought he was the safest one to tell. Before I had gotten home he had found a way to tell her and she was pretty devastated. I didn't have parents after that. I stayed at "home" for awhile but nothing was ever getting easier or better.  The Academy of DC made sure I was safe and I worked a job that kept me far enough from trouble. We had a lot of fun and we survived a lot of stuff along the way, that while it was occurring, just seemed par for the course. Thank you to those of you who were and are there for me. I love you.

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Loving out loud and authentically takes strength and courage. We are resilient and full of empathy. We build families out of friends. Nothing feels more powerful.
Lots of love from a proudly bisexual Office Manager <3

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We love you, never forget it! I'm proud of you, and you deserve all the love and acceptance!

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We love you, never forget it! I'm proud of you, and you deserve all the love and acceptance!

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You are important, you are valid, and you are loved. No matter where you are in your journey of coming out.
Sincerely,
a lesbian, class of 2022 <3

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My LGBTQ+ friends are some of my closet and most important people in my life. They have gotten my through so much and i'm so grateful to have and support them, even if it's from the closet. To all who have and will come out, you are awesome and loved.

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Hey, bi-guy here to say that y'all are amazing and very much so loved. Stay safe cuties!

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We celebrate all identities and love all loves at UMW

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We celebrate all identities and love all loves at UMW

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Celebrate who you are, and come out when YOU are ready

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Celebrate who you are, and come out when YOU are ready

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Everyone has to come out in their own time, and it's something people need to do many times throughout their lives.  Whether you've come out to the world at large, to a few trusted people, or see this as a step in your future rather than your present, know that there are many who do and will support you.

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I stand with you in hopes to spread awareness to the difficulties faced during one of the most trying moments of your life . Everyone is deserving of respect , compassion and must importantly love . Your bravery is inspiring  ❤️

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Life is good, and you deserve to enjoy it as much as anyone else!

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Life is good, and you deserve to enjoy it as much as anyone else!

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UMW was a great place to come out, even in 1979. My wife and I have been together 20 years, and have two boys in high school, and life is good. You be you!

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You are loved for exactly who you are. I see you, I support you, and I will vote to protect you.

The world is better because of you.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🤍

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You are loved. Be unapologetically you and love will come <3

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I'm so Proud and Grateful for how strong and beautiful all of you are!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

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I'm so Proud and Grateful for how strong and beautiful all of you are!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

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I love every single one of us that's just out here trying to live our most authentic selves. Don't let this world get you down, no matter how much it tries. This asexual supports you ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 

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I love every single one of us that's just out here trying to live our most authentic selves. Don't let this world get you down, no matter how much it tries. This asexual supports you ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 

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Everyone deserves to feel loved and accepted for who they are. The world needs the person you know yourself to be. Coming out is different for everyone, so never feel pressured to do so. Just know that you are loved and were born perfectly you.

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In addition to all the fantastic things everyone has said here, I just want to say that come out when you're ready. National Coming Out Day isn't about pressuring you to be public, but about showing how much support you have for coming out. Don't feel bad if you're still in the closet. It's a big personal decision - I'm still basically in the closet myself except for the people I personally trust. Just know that you're loved, and live your best life :)

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from a lesbian in the class of 2022 B)

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You are always welcome at my table and in my life. You are loved and you are not alone. Standing with you in Colorado

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Gender is a Spectrum...and I’m Slowly Finding Myself.

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Gender is a Spectrum...and I’m Slowly Finding Myself.

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I came out as a lesbian in 2016, the election and pulse shooting really shook me to my core. I knew then on that I needed to live my life authenticity, even if it was scary at times. My family wasn’t supportive at first, but they eventually came around. I was terrified to tell them, but over time they grew to accept me and I think knowing that they had a queer child sort of helped them become more understanding of the issues within community as a whole. When I came out to my peers and on social media, things became a little more real. I cut my hair short and tried dressing more masculine in hopes that I would feel more like myself, but that sort of started a spiral of confusion about my gender that I wasn’t expecting. Over the last few years, I’ve begun experimenting with clothing and hairstyles more. I haven’t fully come to terms with my gender non-conforming/non-binary identity, but being in a community that normalizes asking for preferred pronouns has allowed me to feel more comfortable using they/them, as well as accepting that like sexuality, gender is not black and white. We don’t always have to know how to explain our queerness, but coming out as queer in the simplest sense is still a great thing. It’s a personal experience that not everyone has to do, but doing so has helped me better understand myself and I’ll always be grateful for the people who’ve helped me along the way.

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When I first came out, I was terrified. I thought I would never be accepted in this world for who I was. Once I came out though, everything seemed to be in brighter colors. I know you guys can do this too. It's such an amazing life when you accept yourself for who you are. You can do this and people at UMW will surround you with the love and support you need. Have an amazing day!

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It took me a long time to realize and appreciate my authentic self. It was a tough journey but one that truly saved my life and allowed me to be happy. Love yourself, appreciate your unique qualities and remember you are deserving of love.

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I’m so proud of you and the world wants and needs you💙💜❤️

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I’m so proud of you and the world wants and needs you💙💜❤️

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You are wonderful as you are. You are not alone. Be proud of yourself.

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You are wonderful as you are. You are not alone. Be proud of yourself.

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Proud and out alumnus here to tell you you are FABULOUS!

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As a PRIDE Papa of an Eagle, I want you to know you are loved. You have the support of many more folks than you realize. Love is Love!

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You are welcomed, honored, supported, and loved at UMW. May you always be able to be yourself.

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You are valid and supported! Whether you feel  comfortable coming out this year or not, your identity is just as true and you are just as important and welcomed in this community ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️‍🌈

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You are strong and you are beautiful. I hope you find the comfort to find and celebrate YOU as I did during my time at Mary Washington. I am beyond grateful for the community at Mary Washington that provided me the safety to come out. :)

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You are perfect, just the way you are.  Don't let anyone try to make you feel like less than you are!

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Standing with all in the community here at UMW, friends and family. All are welcome.

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Standing with all in the community here at UMW, friends and family. All are welcome.

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You are awesome just as you are! Sending love! You are never alone <3

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You are awesome just as you are! Sending love! You are never alone <3

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UMW Alum, Class of 2012, Pansexual/Asexual/Nonbinary

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Be YOU! You are wonderful, strong, and LOVED. Know that you're absolutely not alone!

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Coming out was the most difficult and stressful thing I have ever done in my 44 years.  But after I affirmed my true self, I have been much happier and have met so many wonderful and diverse people as a result.
Be your true self and let your spirit shine bright.

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Let UMW be a place where everyone is welcome, respected, and valued as exactly as they are!

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Let UMW be a place where everyone is welcome, respected, and valued as exactly as they are!

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You are perfect!  Be Proud and know many of us stand with you ALWAYS

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Thank you for your Bravery!

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Hooker, a pioneer in the study of homosexuality, said, "Tolerance is the worst word in the English language. It's condescending; it means putting up with something undesirable. What we need is understanding and acceptance. If the number of openly gay men and women increases, it will mean we are becoming more accepting, more understanding, more free, a better society." I could not have said it better!

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Our LGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty & alumni shine brightly at Mary Wash

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Our LGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty & alumni shine brightly at Mary Wash

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Hello everyone I'm a lesbian and I love my gf

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I recognize how hard it can be to come out again and again.  Please know that your trust in sharing this is appreciated!

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Celebrating all of those who have come out, and supporting all of those who wish to do so. Your fellow Eagles love you!

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I'm proud to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a UMW eagle!

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You are AMAZING just the way you are and you BELONG here!

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All People are Welcome Here

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Be proud! I'm sure proud to share my community with so many strong individuals

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Be proud! I'm sure proud to share my community with so many strong individuals

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you are with friends and family here, and have your community behind you! no matter what anyone says, you are loved. there is no shame in being who you are. happy coming out day to all those who have and will come out! 

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you are with friends and family here, and have your community behind you! no matter what anyone says, you are loved. there is no shame in being who you are. happy coming out day to all those who have and will come out! 

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I know that it can feel lonely at times right now, but know you are accepted, you are appreciated, and you are loved!

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I know that it can feel lonely at times right now, but know you are accepted, you are appreciated, and you are loved!