Nicholas Guittar, assistant professor of sociology at University of South Carolina-Lancaster, will present “Beyond Boxes and Prescribed Labels: Coming Out in 2014” Oct. 8  at Mississippi State University on behalf of National Coming out Day on Oct. 11.
Kimberly Kelly, associate professor and director of sociology at MSU, said Guittar’s talk will mainly focus on his interviews with different people who are of the homosexual orientation and different experiences they have had with coming out. 
“Guittar for his dissertation did a large number of interviews with different people who are gay or lesbian about the coming out process and wrote a book on this, so his talk is going to be based on the data he has collected from various people who talked to him about their experiences of coming out,” Kelly said. 
Kelly said events like this help increase awareness about the history of the gay rights movement and the lives of people who are gay. 
“Having events like thishonors the struggle and the history of the movement for gay rights and the personal experiences and lives of people who are LGBT,” Kelly said. “This is important because it is about recognizing their humanity and equality with everyone else.” 
Ashley Baker, program assistant for gender studies, said Guittar will address different topics involved with coming out.  “Guittar will be discussing topics about identity, coming out, and how to make campus a safer environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual (LGBT) individuals,” Baker said. 
According to Baker, these topics are important because discrimination and abuse of homosexuals are still dominant in today’s society.  
“These  topics are important because we still live in a time where everyone does not feel comfortable or safe being themselves in public,”  she said.  “We still have issues of discrimination and hate crimes that occur in our country because of individuals sexual and/or gender identity.  LGBT individuals still do not have equal rights in Mississippi and in other states across the country.” 
Baker said Guittar’s  research on coming out will benefit MSU’s campus and the state of Mississippi.       “His book ‘Coming Out: The New Dynamics’ was released this year and helps expands our knowledge and understanding of the coming out process,” Baker said.
Jennifer Carruth, president of   Delta Omega Lambda, said coming out is important because gays and lesbians need to know they have people who support them and accept them for who they are. 
“The topic of coming out is important for many reasons. LGBT people have a higher rate of depression, anxiety and suicide because they are marginalized and discriminated against. Coming Out is not just about LGBT people being seen, it is about straight allies coming out as well,” Carruth said. 
Carruth also said having a support system is essential for creating a comfortable place where people feel comfortable discussing issues facing LGBT people
 “It is   about   becoming catalysts for positive change. It is about telling people that they are loved for who they are and that they should not feel like they have to hide or put up with being bullied. Words hurt, and it makes a huge difference when you speak up for someone who is being treated unfairly or bullied. All MSU Bulldogs should feel safe, loved, and comfortable to be themselves,” Carruth said.