MS 447's Coming Out Day

October 21st was coming out day at MS 447. This was a day where students could wear pins in support of the LGBTQIA+ community or come out as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This day was not necessarily about coming out of the closet, or coming out as queer. It was more about spreading awareness and making sure the school is a safe space for anyone who wishes to come out and be themselves. 

In the morning before school on October 21, the GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) where people who identify as part of the LGBQIA+ community or support come together on fridays to hang out. had volunteers hand out rainbow and transgender flag pins, as well as other stickers and informational cards about the point of the day. Students could choose to wear stickers with their pronouns or an ally sticker showing support in place of the ribbons. 

MS 447’s community is on its way to being a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth. A community is made out of individual people, so it is up to each person to be kind and supportive. 

“I feel like school is sometimes a safe place depending on what people you are around,” Lucia Navarro in 706 explained. 

“Sadly, there are some homophobes in this school, but you can't let that get to you,” Ethan Grand in 706 said. 

The majority of the time, when people are homophobic, or hateful, unsupportive, and against gay people, or transphobic, or hateful, unsupportive, or against transgender people, it is because they are uneducated or come from an unsupportive family. That's why coming out day is important to help educate and un-learn any hate one may have been taught.

“I mean telling students they don't have to support but shouldn't verbally or physically hate,” Axel Kleinsteuber in 703 stated. 

Part of making a safe space is that you don't have to go above and beyond to support students, just don't be hateful towards anyone.  Part of this includes doing your best to use people's preferred pronouns and names. And if you make a mistake, simply correct yourself and say sorry. Also, keep in mind that if someone reminds you of their pronouns, they are not mad, they are just reminding you.

All in all, coming out day is a day to come out in support of the LGBTQIA+ community and to show that you are a safe space for any queer friends or classmates. We hope this article showed that the MS447 community will always be there for you, no matter your identity.