The first issue of Yale’s first LGBTQ magazine, Q, came out (of the closet) today, and we have to admit, it’s pretty fucking great. The issue contains testimonies from ten gay, lesbian, and transgender Yale students, including one by former West Point cadet Katie Miller, who came out on the Rachel Maddow show in front of a national audience. Sure, the mag has plenty of juicy details, but it’s also got its share of insights. A few samples of both:

My parents have known that I date men for almost three years now. And my life outside of Yale is surrounded by other gay men, from my boyfriend to gay teammates on other sports teams I play on. Yet, out of fear of being associated with the antithesis of the things I loved on campus, I found myself here systematically forced back into the closet. –Grey de Grissom on being a gay frat boy and athlete

Understandably conservative when it came to their child’s life path, my parents asked that I see a local therapist specializing in adolescent gender identity who requested that I, like all her clients, undergo a full neurophysiological evaluation–a full-day battery of tests similar to those used to diagnose disabilities or personality disorders…Based off my scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory’s Masculine/Feminine Scale–which asked such questions as whether I had a good relationship with my mother or was fascinated by mechanics magazines–he concluded that it was impossible to determine whether I was “truly transsexual.” –Adam Masson on being transsexual at Yale and the difference between gender and sexual identity

It might go without saying that I am not the typical Bahraini woman. It might also go without saying that this is not the typical story of a Muslim woman facing the trials and tribulations of a misogynistic Arab patriarchy. My family didn’t emphasize gender roles in the house; they focused instead on teaching me good moral values like honesty and respect. I am proud of my upbringing. But sex, and anything related to it, was taboo. — F.A.A. on being queer and Muslim

…being queer also means being despised by my former classmates, my brothers and sisters in arms. Being queer means I hide my face when I visit my cadet friends for fear of alienating them by association…I  harbor no resentment toward Yale or the U.S. Military Academy. But both have forced me to compromise. At West Point I gave up a part of my identity to remain a member of the military, but at Yale I give up an even larger part of my identity: my identity as a soldier in the United States Army. –Katherine Miller on resigning from West Point after coming out

Major props to these students and the rest of the contributors for laying themselves on the line. Let’s hope they don’t mind being quoted on a snarky website that generally limits itself to beating the Four Loko dead horse. Also of note in the issue: a picture of Dr. Strangelove holding a giant pink dildo. Very apropos.