UNM's Queer Straight Alliance celebrated National Coming Out Day on Thursday by encouraging people to be open about their sexual orientation.
National Coming Out Day began in 1998, commemorating the murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay student at the University of Wyoming.
"He was brutally murdered because of his orientation, because he was proud of being who he was," said Brandy Rodke, sophomore and co-chairwoman of the alliance.
Members of the alliance gathered at the bronze statues in Cornell Plaza. They spoke to passersby, stressing the importance of feeling comfortable with sexual preference.
Rodke said coming out takes a lot of courage and that the aim of National Coming Out Day is to quell fears and provide a comfortable environment for those struggling with the decision.
Senior Andrew Turner, co-chairman of Queer Straight Alliance, said he went through some troubles when he decided to come out in 2002.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"I know when I came out it was really difficult, but it was also really freeing," he said. "It relieves that burden that you carry and lets you be free."
Turner said National Coming Out Day isn't geared toward gays only but aims to encourage tolerance and openness for all sexual orientations.
He said people should have the opportunity to be themselves without fearing recourse.
He said society often pressures gays to refrain from being open about their sexual orientation.
"I think (National Coming Out Day) is important because it gives people the opportunity to be themselves instead of being what society says they should be," Turner said.
Rodke said she hoped the openness and honesty displayed Thursday would inspire confidence in people who struggle with sexual identity.
"We just need to let them know that we're here," Rodke said. "No one should be ashamed of who they are."
Turner said people came to the alliance's table and "came out" as straight in support of the cause.
Gabriel Gaarden, a senior majoring in sociology, said he came out as straight to show his support for gay rights.
"I did that because gay rights is a really important issue for me, so I know that it's important for members of the straight community to be out in support of gay rights," he said. "It's important for people who are struggling with coming out to know that there are people who are in support of them, who are fully inclusive of who they are. I think it makes it much easier for people to accept themselves as they are."
Gaarden said support from the straight community is necessary for improving gay rights.
"The straight community is the majority, and minority rights will never be furthered unless members of the majority are able to stand with them," he said.
