Thanks for gay speak-out
Letter to the Editor
I am writing to applaud Saint Mary's for having the decency to allow its lesbian alumnae the opportunity to come back on campus to share their stories.
When I first decided to go listen to the alumnae panel speaking I felt apprehensive — would I be made to feel uncomfortable? Would people think I was gay? Would I be the only student there? When I left I felt enlightened — as well as ashamed of my own previously unknown prejudices.
Identity Week was just a small step in the changes that need to be made. So many times heterosexuals take for granted the rights they have that the gay community is lacking. The right to marry the person one chooses, to have significant others placed on health insurance plans and to be true to oneself without having to worry about being mocked, spit on, hurt or even killed for personal views. Especially important is the right not to be labeled and have that label carelessly thrown around as a hateful insult.
People need to think next time they refer to something as gay, retarded, Jewish, queer, etc., about the individuals they could inadvertently be offending.
There are unbelievable stories about the biases the courageous women I heard speak, as well as other members of the gay population, have been forced to endure. There is so much heartache and pain. And why? Because some choose to live their lives outside the realm of society's ideals?
Being a pro-choice agnostic I understand what it is like not to fit in. I cannot even fathom how these women must have felt. Acceptance is key. I urge people to see beyond their stereotypical ideals and acknowledge no one can categorize what it is to love. That there are others — people that eat, sleep, breathe and cry just as they do — that live slightly different lifestyles. But that they are still people deserving of our respect, approval and understanding. Please put an end to this wasteful intolerance of humanity's differences and celebrate our uniqueness.
Jessica Needles
Freshman
Regina Hall
February 7, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Thursday, February 10, 2000
