On October 11, 1995, I stood on the steps of the University of Hawaii - Manoa's Student Center. My knees were shaking as I thought about some mysterious person or persons who might throw tomatoes at me when they found out what I was doing in the middle of the National Coming Out Day Event. I was passing out flyers announcing the Organizational Meeting for the Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians (PFLAG).
All these years later, I continue to staff a PFLAG-Oahu Informational Table as a way to inform and support any student, professor or staff member who wants to come out. Today we also had a video camera in case some one wanted to make a supportive statement for our It Gets Better - Honolulu. Out Events Coordinator, Michael Golojuch, Jr. started this project at last year's Coming Out Day Event at UH-M.
Today we had two speakers: Brian Schatz, Lt. Gov. and Virginia Chrenshaw, UH Chancellor. After the speeches, my friend Rob Hatch asked, "Who's Coming Out? It's National Coming Day, well, who is coming out today?" Rob is absolutely right!
We have a supportive audience. This would be the perfect time to come out. Who don't we have an open mic for anyone who wants to come out???
