F-block: Telling our stories

The F-block “Telling our Stories” assembly featured eight speakers recounting their experiences of being part of the LGBTQ community in front a packed Roberts-Dubbs Auditorium.

The first speaker was senior Lily Schwartz who spoke about being lesbian and dating her best friend. She spoke of the loneliness and stifling atmosphere she felt regarding her sexuality, both from watching heteronormative television shows and while living in Ridgefield, Conn. Schwartz said her struggle with sexuality was an uphill battle, but she has reached the peak and “the view is beautiful.”

After Schwartz, senior Rosie Jacobs recounted to the auditorium the lessons she had learned about being a member in the queer community through three stories. Each of these stories dealt with Jacobs encountering social situations, some painful, some simply awkward, but all eye-opening, and what Jacobs has learned through these encounters.

Junior Grey Fahrner spoke next about their struggle of finding themselves. Fahrner, who was assigned as female at birth, spoke of coming to understand their identity, and the struggle they went through to be who they are.

Juniors and twins Maya Seicol and Isabel Seicol then spoke together about of the difference between how other people see you and how you understand yourself. Maya Seicol and Isabel Seicol, who alternated lines in a speech, told the audience to pursue finding themselves rather than be boxed in by the perceptions and preconceptions of others.

After the Seicol sisters, senior Amanda Nybakken spoke about being pansexual, and how few people know what being pansexual is. Nybakken answered questions about pansexuality that she said people often ask her.

Junior Sara Hogenboom spoke about being bisexual in the form of a letter to her past self. Hogenboom mentioned the fact she has come out to many people and coming out is a recurring process, and how it has brought her into activism and advocacy.

The final speaker was senior Ethan Kahn who talked about how being gay affects his day-to-day life. Kahn spoke about wanting to find a place to respect all people. He was first awakened to LGBTQ issues by insensitive comments during the 2012 election. Kahn said being gay is an important part of his identity now, and will remain so into the future.