I want to use this platform to further help people in understanding the LGBTQ community, especially here on Carson-Newman University's campus. I cannot imagine a better way of doing so than giving a voice to my community. Every other week, I will be asking my fellow peers to accompany me in writing these blogs to share different voices and different perspectives. My goal is to have people tell their stories, share their talents, connect alumni with students, students with allies, and to reach out to those who want to understand and even to those who refuse to give the idea of acceptance time in their day.
So, without further ado, I would like for everyone to meet Lauren Cox (whose birthday just so happens to be the day we're writing and editing this, January 15th):
"Hello, all! My name is Lauren Cox, I'm originally from Springfield, Tennessee, and I'm a sophomore who is double majoring in English with creative writing emphasis and photography.
The first thing you need to know about me is that I'm problematically creative. As far as writing goes, I consider myself first and foremost to be a poet. I can also do short stories sometimes, but novels are hard for me because I get bored with them too quickly and move on to something else. As far as photography goes, I'm a sucker for film and darkroom work. It's really the medium I'd prefer to shoot for the rest of my life. I'm one of the darkroom assistants in the art building, so I get to do cool things like mix chemicals and sell supplies and help people when they need it.
In addition to writing and photography, I'm also a musician and a songwriter. I sing and play way too many instruments (ukulele, mandolin, guitar, dulcimer, accordion, Irish banjo, marimba, drums, and any other percussion instrument you can put in front of me). I regularly play folk music with a small group of local musicians every Tuesday morning at the Jefferson City Public Library, and I also attend filk conventions (filk is folk music about science fiction and fantasy subjects). I love acting and have been in many productions, and I'm also an artist (I prefer painting to drawing, although I love both).
Personality psychology is definitely an object of fascination for me, and I've done copious amounts of research on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Jungian Cognitive Functions. (I'm an XNFP, for anyone who knows what I'm talking about! My cognitive functions are Ne, Fi, Si, and Te in that order, which is why I maintain that I straddle the line between introvert and extrovert.) Human personality and the things that make us who we are are things I'll never tire of discussing.
I like to consider myself fairly competent in the field of politics. It's something that I like to discuss with other people, and any time I can convince someone that Donald Trump is a blithering idiot is a good day.
Advocating for mental health is very important to me. I've been diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, but I try to be very open about them. There's no reason not to be, and I think that breaking down the stigma that so often surrounds mental illness is something we have to do.
Sexuality-wise, I'm a cis female who identifies as pansexual. I've found that I'm attracted to anyone and everyone except straight guys (no offense to you, we can still be friends!). Coming out to my family as pan wasn't too horrible. My mom was pretty OK with it, because one of her two brothers and one of her nephews are gay. My dad's family is much more conservative, but their love for me hasn't changed, and I know that for a fact. They've come around quite a bit.
Other stuff? I really, really love cats. My dream would be to travel the world (spending most of my time in Norway, but also hitting up the Faroe Islands, Iceland, New Zealand, and Europe as a whole), shooting film and writing poetry. Realistically, however, I hope to end up doing some sort of work in film that can pay the bills and submitting writing to journals, magazines, and contests on the side; maybe self-publish a collection or two.
If there's anything more about me you'd like to know, just ask. I'm a fairly open person, so no question is too personal. I'm very grateful to Richard for the opportunity to introduce myself to the group, and I can't wait to get to know all of you better! Thank you."
