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Mostly Cloudy Joe Delia felt supported by Lynbrook to be his true self
Lynbrook High School alum Joe Delia will speak with students about how to navigate the professional world after high school and college while striving to remain true to oneself.
Human Relations Day, Feb. 15, is organized by the Student Government Association each year. In each period of the day, inspiring individuals and guest speakers discuss topics and issues relevant to students. The SGA spends months preparing for the festivities and organizing guests. Delia returned to this event for the fourth time where he talked about his coming-out story and how supportive the high school was and remains to be.
“I was in the graduating class of 2007, and I have to tell you, I know for a fact that today, Lynbrook High School is beyond inclusive, diverse, supportive,” Delia said. “But I have to give credit where credit is due because I felt that support so strongly freshman year.”
Delia explained that the backing he received by the school provided a strong basis and foundation for how he would navigate the professional world after high school. The best way he could describe how he felt was by saying he had a metaphorical hand gently on his back. Delia said he was not ready to let people know about his sexuality, but felt protected by his peers.
“I rarely ever, if not never, was bullied,” Delia said. “I was completely free to be who I was.”
In high school, Delia noted that programming and teachers — specifically Mary Kirby, Eric Finder, Kelle Barth, Jennifer Kramer and Eileen Silecchia — provided a safe space for him to be himself without feeling rushed or pressured to come out. Being involved in drama club, concert choir, jazz choir, all-county, Delia felt like he could just be the truest version of himself.
He started his college journey in 2007 at Pace University with support from his community and family. Delia added that his mother, Donna Delia, was very supportive of him coming out. Now, he felt like it was a time to start celebrating, meeting new and diverse friends, and to discover his authentic self.
Helping the students also discover their authentic self is what Delia aims to do at Lynbrook. Human Relations Day is all about relating to humans, Delia said. The day is about motivational speakers sharing their personal stories about self-discovery, and the success they’ve had since graduating high school. Delia said he will be in seven classrooms talking about his personal and professional experiences.
He explained how he is approaching this year’s event differently than previous years. He mentioned that he was “knocked down professionally” recently and wants to convey at his sessions to trust your gut. He said that whether you’re in an environment where you don’t feel comfortable, you should always trust your instincts.
Delia’s professional journey started in the world of advertising at Gattie and Lopez Post Production. After gaining success, he asked for more responsibilities in the company, carving out an indispensable role for himself. During the pandemic, when his role seemed less impactful, he co-wrote the Land of Lots, a 13-book series.
He then moved on to Broadway and while he was living out a dream come true, he was losing himself to an environment that wasn’t a match for him. This caused self doubt and a loss of confidence. He had to give up his dream to self-preserve and find his confidence again.
At the human relations event, Delia will explain the challenges he overcame, not only professionally, but personally too.
“It’s an honor to be part of this event,” Delia said. “Because it means that someone finds my story impactful.”
After the first year Delia participated in this event, he received letters from students who found his speeches to be inspirational. During that event, his main focus was his coming out story.
“I received a letter from a straight student saying ‘I was a little shy around a gay person. I used derogatory words towards friends in a joking matter’,” Delia said. “And I’m not going to do that anymore.”
Delia also received a letter from someone who is gay saying, “you’re the first person that I’ve seen come to us from the outside and say that it’s going to be okay, it gets better.”
“I was in a puddle of tears on my floor,” Delia said about the letters he received. “It was so sweet.”
Delia said he hopes this event provides students with a mix of personal courage, personal knowledge, and professional information so that they are prepared for their later stages of life. Delia remembers gaining some perspective from his Human Relations Day events when he was in high school. He would hear stories of people getting knocked down and getting back up again personally and professionally.
“You’re in a bubble when you’re in high school,” Delia said. “And the outside world seems really far away. But college is the outside world and you need all the help you can get. So that’s what I always took away from Human Relations Day.”
With all the ups and downs Delia faced in recent years, he will use everything he learned in expanding his company, It’s My House. The business provides professional services and consulting for cooking, gardening, events, home decor, and more. He hopes to open a storefront in Lynbrook one day.
