THE FREEDOM BOOK - Cambridge University Students' Union

CUSU LGBT The Freedom Book 2008 13PerspectivesComing out can be a scary prospect, but coming out inCambridge was actually a great experience in many ways.Everyone was really supportive and accepting, meaningthat in the end coming out was something of a non-event!For the most part people here really don’t care about yoursexuality; they rightly see it as just another part of your personality, nobigger and no smaller than other aspects. I think that the biggest problemsomeone in Cambridge could have when coming out is coming to termswith his or her sexuality themselves, and if this is the case, there is plenty ofhelp available. Mike Flood, SPS Graduate 2007When I first came to Cambridge I didn’t really go out to gayclubs. I didn’t really want to be part of the scene becauseI had the impression of it being sleezy and unwelcoming.I was also nervous, even though id been out for severalyears. I didn’t really know many people who were openabout their sexuality in College. This all changed very quickly. I becamefriends with Rosie, our LGBT officer at Jesus, and met loads of mega friendlypeople. We started going out to gay pubs and to CUSU’s LBGT night, andI had an amazing time. Throughout my entire time at Cambridge thingsonly got better and better. The worries and apprehension faded and werereplaced by friends that I look forward to seeing on Tuesday. Almost everyoneI’ve met has been incredibly welcoming and accepting. Cambridge isthe most open, supportive and accepting place I have ever been. It rules!Matt Kitching, PhD student, Natural SciencesBeing a transgender student in Cambridge is great fun.Being accepted as a woman was very important to me;the women’s group was very supportive and accepted meinstantly. Cambridge students are very accepting, as aresome Colleges and Departments, although others still lagebehind the times. When I have had problems, CUSU LBGT and CUSU havebeen very supportive. When I first came out my dress sense was appalling:the tall beautiful buxom blonde image of myself in my mind didn’t seem tostare back at me from the mirror. My friends soon helped to put my dresssense and make-up right. Heather Peto, PhD