Alice Vol. 4 No. 2

34 Alice Spring 2019
I came out to my friend Anna in a wordvomiting
frenzy when I busted through the door
of my sorority house the morning after my nowgirlfriend
and I first kissed.
I came out to my friends Jamie, Rachel and
Caroline a few weeks later, in the tiny shoebox
room right next door to mine after rumors started
to spread. I wanted them to hear it from me first.
I came out to my roommate while I painted a
banner in the basement, shaking the entire time
because I didn’t know if she would want to live
with me again the next year.
I came out to my Big while we both sat on
the tiny couch in my room, and I cried because
I didn’t know if she would be able to love her
religion and love me.
I came out to all the girls I sat with at lunch
every weekday, making no eye contact to avoid
the inevitable adverse reactions.
And get this: Nothing happened.
Nobody shunned me or talked badly about
me. No one gave me rude looks or avoided me in
the halls. My roommate is still my roommate, and
she’s never acted weird about changing in front
of me or sleeping two feet from me each night.
My friends barely batted an eye; some told me
they knew all along. A long-standing rule against
bringing girls as dates to functions was retracted,
and I was even elected to a cabinet position. I have
not once had a less-than-pleasant interaction
with a girl in my sorority because of my sexuality.
I have been embraced with open arms for exactly
who I am. I have had younger girls come up to
me at parties and tell me how much they love me
and my girlfriend together and how happy they
are for me.
I am not saying everything is perfect here or
in other houses or other social circles. I’m sure
there are some people who don’t love the fact
that I’m gay. And that’s fine — it doesn’t bother
me. But I can honestly say that being openly
gay in an Alabama sorority is not as scary as it
sounds. I know all that “Sisterhood forever! I love
my sisters!” talk is annoying, and I don’t know
how much I buy into all of it, but I will say this:
Sisterhood can be something unexpected. It can
be something wonderful and real. It can be openminded,
forgiving and sincere.
I used to think I wasn’t meant to be a sorority
girl. Now, I’m pretty damn proud to be one. No
matter how obnoxious my hot pink Lilly agenda
might be.