At Harvard Kennedy School, our students take pride in celebrating their true identities. In celebration of National Coming Out Day on October 11, we asked co-chairs of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, Zoe Butler MPP 2025 and Brandon Huang MPA 2025, to share their coming out stories and what this day of recognition means to them.
The is comprised of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students that identify themselves within a range of sexual and gender identities, and work to promote inclusion and building community, both within the caucus and among other organizations.
Here’s what Zoe and Brandon shared.
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Zoe Butler MPP 2025
Why did you join the LGBTQ+ Caucus?
I joined the LGBTQ+ Caucus to find queer community while at graduate school. This is the first time I have been out in a workplace or school environment, and it has been a wonderful experience to have found fellowship with other queer folks through the caucus.
What have you learned or gained since joining the LGBTQ+ Caucus?
The LGBTQ+ Caucus has taught me how important it is to find community. I have made lifelong friendships through the LGBTQ+ Caucus, and I likely never would have met some of these wonderful people without this space.
Please describe what National Coming Out Day means to you.
National Coming Out Day reminds me of the emotional weight I carried before coming out and the freedom I found once I did. It marks the shift from hiding to living authentically, celebrating the relief and openness that came with embracing who I am.
"[National Coming Out Day] marks the shift from hiding to living authentically, celebrating the relief and openness that came with embracing who I am."
Brandon Huang MPA 2025
Why did you join the LGBTQ+ Caucus?
I joined the LGBTQ+ Caucus because I wanted to find a community where I can really be myself. It's not that I don't feel like I can be open at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, which has proven to be a welcoming and supportive place, but sometimes it's nice to be somewhere I don't need to explain myself at all. Although our community is so diverse, our members share some universal truths that have been fun and interesting to explore.
What have you learned or gained since joining the LGBTQ+ Caucus?
I've met a bunch of amazing people across programs at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø that I wouldn't have known otherwise. Now that Zoe and I are co-executive chairs of the caucus, we're learning so much about the different ways we can bring our community together. It's been incredible to learn from other caucus members about their LGBTQ experiences from extremely diverse backgrounds.
Please describe what National Coming Out Day means to you.
National Coming Out Day reminds me that being gay is a journey. A journey that, for many people—including myself—has incredible and sometimes seemingly uncrossable challenges. At the same time, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else. From working through the lowest of lows, I've gone on to some incredible peaks.
"National Coming Out Day reminds me that being gay is a journey. A journey that, for many people—including myself—has incredible and sometimes seemingly uncrossable challenges."
