Proudly declaring himself  “the only 'out' president in the United States,” Roosevelt University President Chuck Middleton welcomed students and faculty to “share stories of how we became our full selves” at the Chicago school’s National Coming Out Day event Thursday.  Middleton said that being open about homosexuality is critical;  “Because we are out, we make a difference and build our abilities to change the world..”

Approximately 20 students sat rapt as professors and other speakers described coming out in an earlier era and urged everyone to “speak up, speak out, and be proud of yourselves,” in the words of RU instructor Carrie Brucke.  “This is about becoming whole people,” said Carlos Rios, secretary of campus LGBT association RU Proud. “Coming out prepares us to face the biggest challenges of our lives with honesty.”

National Coming Out Day was first celebrated Oct. 11, 1988, to mark the first anniversary of the National AIDS Quilt project and a massive march on Washington for gay rights and AIDS awareness.  This year’s theme, “Talk About It,” resonated with students and faculty who said that much has changed for gay and questioning students over the past 19 years.

“When I got into education I promised myself that I would never go back in the closet, even if that inconvenienced my career,” James Gandre, the Interim Dean of the College of Education, told students.  “I committed myself to being out and proud because I wanted to always be visible and available for students... I have never regretted that decision.”

“Roosevelt University, my church, and the RU Proud group have given me strength, clarity, and a voice,” said John Coleman, an MBA student at Roosevelt.  Coleman attends Church 4 Me, a Metropolitan Community Church currently based at The Center on Halsted. He described the importance of faith and community in his journey. 

“From the moment I walked into church I felt that I belonged, I saw myself in this congregation,” Coleman said of his first trip to a MCC community in San Francisco more than 10 years ago.  “The church helps me stay grounded and proud of who I am.''

Thomas Minar, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Roosevelt University, described the importance of his faith in his coming out story, starting with his graduation from New Trier high school “way back in 1981.” It was uncomfortable to be different at New Trier, Minar said, but he always felt at home in his family’s church, First Congregational Church of Wilmette. 

 “I was confirmed there as a little boy,” he told students on Thursday, “and I was able to return to marry my partner Frank there on our 10^th anniversary. There was so much support and love from my church community, and it meant the world to me to have my church wedding there.”

“The church has been important to me my entire life,” Minar said, “and people should know that coming out and being honest with ourselves does not mean we have to turn our backs on our faiths or our churches.”