Choosing a college is an imperative decision for the course of one’s future career. Selecting an institution where one can balance specific academic goals congruently with athletic goals is an accomplishment. Factoring in the social components present on campus can be a crucial element to academic and athletic success. Bree Bailey found a college that adequately met her specific needs for attaining both her short-term goals and long term goals. She will be attending Mills College in the Fall of 2016, and had some time to reflect upon what impacted her decision to attend Mills, what her goals are and how she will give back to the community.

Why did you choose Mills College?

Comfort. I felt that it possessed what I needed socially while also having an educational value I felt satisfied with. I knew that I would be able to find a place where I fit in while also pursuing my aspirations.

What are you going to study?

I want to study biochemistry or biology to help further my ambition of going to medical school one day.

Are you going to be involved in any clubs or organizations in your time here?

I will be swimming at Mills. But other than that I have no specific ideas on clubs I would like to join. I'm definitely open to whatever options and opportunities I may have because I want to be involved in the community.

Why would you like to swim in college?

Swimming is and has always been a really big passion of mine. Ever since I started competing at age 8, it has been a steadfast part of my life. I feel like swimming is truly part of who I am and it really helps me keep my life balanced. I would like to continue swimming in college because of the joy it gives me and also to help stay in shape.

What do you hope to contribute to the community at Mills?

I hope that I can make a positive impact at Mills whether it be in the pool, the classroom or just with the individuals I befriend. I want to help make the world a happier place and I hope to create positive change while at Mills. I want to be able to grow and help the community around me grow, too.

Did the fact that Mills is an LGBTQIA friendly campus impact your decision to attend?

Yes, it did. I knew that when I went off to school that I wanted to be able to be myself on campus and be fully comfortable. Although having an LGBTQ+ friendly campus wasn’t my biggest concern, as long as I wasn’t persecuted for my sexuality. But it definitely did help impact my decision that Mills was LGBTQ+ friendly. I’m happy that I found a place where it is safe to be myself.

How has your experience been as a gay individual in the sport of swimming? Any discrimination? More of a celebratory response from other athletes?

I would say that I’ve had a pretty good experience as a gay person in the world of swimming. Most of the people I associate myself with are very accepting of who I am as a person and support me wholeheartedly. If there has ever been any negative response to my sexuality, I have not been privy to that knowledge. I feel like other athletes are very accepting because when it all boils down, we are all humans and just one big swim family trying to be our very best. I actually believe that most swimmers are more concerned with others love of the sport and happiness than anything else.

How did you first hear about Mills?

I first heard about Mills during the summer of 2014 in an email from Head Swim Coach Neil Virtue. I had just written my coming out article with Outsports at the end of July 2014. Coach Neil read the article and took an interest in trying to get me to attend Mills once I had graduated from high school. I responded back and that is what really started my journey on becoming a Mills student. I wasn’t sure back then if I would apply to Mills once I reached my senior year or if the school was even a real establishment as I had never heard of it. But I continued to talk about the future with Coach Neil and decided that it would be in my best interest to apply.

By posting your story online, did you receive any feedback that changed your life?

I definitely did receive feedback that changed my life. I got nothing back but positive comments and support when I posted my story. It gave me even more confidence than I already had to be myself and love who I am.

O: Was Head Swim Coach Neil Virtue one of them? Was he the first coach who recruited you from an online LGBTQIA blog?

Yes, Neil was one of them. He reached out to me through email shortly after the article on Outsports and was the first coach who tried to recruit me from the blog. It was definitely a shock to me when his email came in because I hadn’t realized that this article could potentially change my future.

Are you going to be involved in LGBTQIA issues on campus?

I hope to be involved in LGBTQ+ issues on campus while I’m attending Mills.

You are from Florida and was in the state during the shooting last month; any comments or feedback concerning the trauma that occurred in Orlando?

The Orlando trauma is something that I’m going to carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m from Florida and have spent my whole life there, so any tragedy that occurs in my home state always hits hard. This event hit especially hard because it was an attack on the LGBTQ+ community and was completely unexpected. Never in my life would I have thought I would ever see something so unwarranted and violent happen to a group of people that did not deserve it. I mourned the event and the lives lost with my fellow Floridians and LGBTQ+ family. I will always stand tall and proud of who I am, especially after the Orlando trauma. I hope that the families of the victims know that the world is with them and that we all support them. I send all my love to them and am not ashamed to stand with Orlando.

How did it feel to be a resident in that state and witness news and action first hand?

It was terrifying to be in Florida at the time of the Orlando shootings. Jacksonville, where I live, is only about a two to three-hour drive from Orlando. So everything that was happening there hit very close to home and definitely had a huge impact on me. I was terrified to leave my house or be home alone for a few days. This tragedy was something I never could have imagined would happen in the 21^st century, let alone so close to my home. I had never felt so unsafe in my home and so scared to just be myself. But I knew I had to be strong because even in the face of prejudice, I am not ashamed of who I am.The Orlando shootings definitely made me want to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights. I believe that nobody should live in fear because of who they are. Everybody deserves the chance to be happy and celebrate who they are as a person. Your sexuality does not define you and should not affect your rights.

Do you think it is uncommon for swimmers to come out?

I don’t believe that it is uncommon for swimmers to come out. I think that a few years ago it was uncommon but the world is rapidly changing and being in the LGBTQ+ spectrum is becoming less of a taboo subject. I do think that it is a little more challenging for swimmers to gain the courage to come out because of the environment that we compete in. I know that when I was coming out that I feared people would think I was only a swimmer so I could ogle girls' bodies because of the tiny/tight suits we compete in, and I’m sure that other LGBT+ swimmers have concerns similar to mine. These concerns probably drive swimmers to be a little more cautious and delayed in their coming out process.

Do you think other sports hold a more prevalent standing in the history of lesbian and gay athletes coming out?

Yes, I believe that is true. I know that when I think of prevalent LGBTQ+ athletes my mind usually jumps to sports like tennis, soccer, running, diving or even basketball before it ever jumps to LGBTQ+ swimmers. I just think that LGBTQ+ swimmers aren’t put in the spotlight quite as much as other athletes. But I believe part of that is because swimming is not as popular among the public as other sports, so when LGBTQ+ swimmers come out it is not as noticed.

Do you think many athletes are afraid to come out?

I think that everybody is afraid to come out at some point in their journey to understanding their sexuality. But I do feel like these feelings can be amplified with athletes because of the pressure that is always put on us to perform and look good. Athletes just want to be their best and live up to the standards set for them. I believe that before coming out, a lot of athletes have lots of fear regarding the backlash they could encounter from their friends, fellow athletes, coaches and families.

As a role model figure, what advice would you give to a young athlete who is afraid to come out?

Everything is going to be OK. I know you’re scared and I was too at one time. But I learned that I had to be strong and be proud of who I am. I know that in time you will learn this too and figure out how to be your happiest self. I became my happiest self when I discovered how to be true to myself. I know you can do this too and that you’re going to make so many people proud. Including me. No matter who you are or what your story is, I will always be cheering for you and supporting you. Coming out is scary and everybody does it differently. Take your time and do what feels right to you. Stand strong and have confidence in who you are. I love you and so do all the people who truly matter.

As a soon to be college student, what advice would you give to young student athletes in terms of picking a college?

Find somewhere you can see yourself being happy. But also pick a school that you know will challenge you academically and push you to be the best person you can be. Do what feels right to you and make the best choice you can. If you aren’t happy at the school you choose after a year, you can always transfer.

As a successful swimmer, what advice would you give younger swimmers who want to also pursue collegiate swimming?

Never give up and always stand strong in the face of adversity. Swimming is not an easy sport and you have to be tough to make it through all the challenges it will throw at you. But learning to be tough and persevere are two of the most important lessons swimming has ever taught me. I promise you that all the blood, injuries, sweat and tears are worth it.

Did the division impact your decision to attend a Division III school?

The division had a little bit of impact on my choice to attend Mills. During my junior year of high school, I injured my shoulder pretty badly while weightlifting right after the school swim season had ended. My orthopedist told me there was a chance that I wouldn’t ever swim again like I did pre-injury and that possibility devastated me. I had spent most of my life by then competing in the swim world and it was a major part of my life. I decided that I wasn’t going to let this injury be the catalyst to end my swim career. I fought to get better with the support of my friends and family. With that support, I was able to become strong enough again to get back into the sport I loved. Although, my shoulder still gives me issues at times and I have to have surgery on it sometime in the coming year, I’m still fighting to stay involved in swimming. So as I was making my college choices and evaluating my options, I realized it would probably be best for my health and happiness to go Division 3. Going Division 3 allowed me to continue to do everything I loved while also getting the education I wanted.

What kind of impact would you like to leave at Mills?

I would like to leave a little bit of who I am at Mills. I want to be able to make a positive impact on the people surrounding me while also being able to learn from others. I know that I am constantly growing and changing so I want to be able to help others grow and make friends while doing so. I’ve been told that college is the best experience of your life and I truly hope it is. I want to be happy while at Mills and happy after I leave Mills. I just want to have a good college experience and grow up a little while doing so. I want to be proud of who I become while at Mills.