Morgantown Pride provides social and educational resources for the LGBTQ+ Community, Friends and Allies in Mon. County. Our main focus is to sponsor and participate in events and programs that enrich the Morgantown community and affirm the value of LGBTQ+ people within our community.
I did not come out as genderqueer until I was twenty-six years old. Coming out, for me, felt like coming home. I finally felt comfortable and proud of who I was becoming as a queer person. Since coming out, I’ve made it my goal to advocate, educate, and flight for our queer community.
When I was in Preschool I was suspended after fighting with other children because I wanted to play house with two moms. I’ve been a passionate member of the LGBTQ+ community for as long as I knew the colors of the rainbow. Most importantly, I take pride in being a good advocate for our community, and mentoring LGBT youth here in Morgantown.
I was at a dinner party, expressing the dilemma that is having a crush on a girl for the first time. So friends sat me down, intervention style, and broke it to me that they all thought I was queer for a long time. I was extremely receptive and immediately was like “okay this is who I am and that makes a lot of sense.” It has taken me years to really grow into my identity, it felt safer to come out as bi before coming out as a lesbian. Sexuality and identity grows and changes and transforms. Right now I am an extremely proud lez and I will continue to be so until that doesn’t feel like me anymore.
I lived in denial until I was 18 when I went to Chicago Pride the day after the legalization of same-sex marriage! A girl tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I liked girls. I said “I don’t know!” She then asked me if I would kiss her in front of some protestors for a photo. I said yes! I remember sitting on the train home later and thinking “oh. oh gosh.” My friend gave me this knowing look and that was it! I entered undergrad that fall being publicly out around campus. I came out to my mom and grandma on National Coming Out Day in 2017 and then publicly on National Coming Out Day in 2018!
I came out to my sister as a lesbian when I was 15. Even though I knew she would accept me, I had never felt so terrified. But I had also never felt so strong and loved after I received her complete support.
I only came out about two years ago when I met my partner, Kati. Before then, I knew that I was attracted to women, but didn’t act on those feelings. I was a little nervous to explore that side of my sexuality, and preferred to be with men because I thought that it was easier. However after Kati and I started hanging out as friends I came to realize that I like liked her. Somehow I got the courage to express my feelings, and lucky for me she felt the same. So now I endeavor to live my life honestly, and proudly and I am very excited to work with Morgantown Pride to help others who are questioning who they want to love, and what their identities are.