schools
Every time a college student comes out to me, I learn more about pride
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 28, 2026
· 7 min read
Essay by Carolyn O’Laughlin, CNN
I am the keeper of countless little love stories. And each student who has entrusted me with their truth over the years has helped me remain brave and out. As Sunday marks the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, I’m also reminded that their trust has fueled m...
Key takeaway As Sunday marks the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, I’m also reminded that their trust has fueled my drive to do and discuss difficult things.
Why this matters in The El Paso
In El Paso , where diversity is a cornerstone of the community, stories like these resonate deeply. The experiences of college students coming out to their professor highlight the importance of representation and visibility in local educational institutions. As a city with a growing LGBTQ+ community, El Paso's universities and colleges play a vital role in providing a supportive environment for students to explore their identities. The fact that many students may not have known an openly queer educator before meeting their professor underscores the need for greater representation and inclusivity in local schools. By sharing their own coming-out story, the professor creates a safe space for students to open up, demonstrating the impact that one person can have on creating a more welcoming and inclusive community in El Paso. This, in turn, can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to be their authentic selves and fostering a culture of acceptance and pride throughout the city.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Essay by Carolyn O’Laughlin, CNN
I am the keeper of countless little love stories. And each student who has entrusted me with their truth over the years has helped me remain brave and out. As Sunday marks the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, I’m also reminded that their trust has fueled m...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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