LGBT students fear coming out on campus
Students share opposite views on 'coming out'
Eva Pitts
Assistant Opinions Editor
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Campus News
There was once a TSU student named Sam. Sam, who chose to keep his last name confidential, was a homosexual freshman from Washington D.C. who lived in Watson Hall.
Sam's efforts to live a healthy homosexual life failed when peers in his residence hall locked him inside his dorm room shouting negative, not so humorous, remarks.
"They shoved pennies and (other) coins in the locks so I couldn't get out of the door," Sam recounted. "And they taunted me by calling me 'fag' and snickering."
Sam, began this school year as a sophomore business administration major at the General Nashville Association of Realtors, but left the university after a year of facing prejudice.
"They play-pranked my room because they were threatened by my way of life," Sam said about his experiences in Watson. "It makes them feel like we (homosexuals) are trying to make them accept who we are, but I'm tired of hiding, they are going to have to accept me."
Unfortunately, Sam is not the only homosexual student who has faced prejudice or trials on campus. Unlike Sam, some students have attempted to hide their sexualities.
As opposed to embracing what Sam considers a lifestyle, these students keep their sexual preferences to themselves in pursuit of interests they feel would be hindered otherwise.
The stereotypes associated with being homosexual disable many gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender students from accomplishing goals and aspirations during their undergraduate and graduate years.
"Coming out on campus will restrict me from accomplishing a lot of goals I want to in undergraduate," said Xavier, an anonymous English major from Atlanta. "People will never look past the fact that I am a healthy bisexual male."
Xavier also said he believes athletes in contact sports or fraternity and sorority members feel discomfort toward homosexuals and will do what is necessary to make them quit.
James Alderman, a senior electrical engineering major from St. Petersburg, Fla., and member of the Alpha Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., denied such activity exists in his fraternity.
Sam's efforts to live a healthy homosexual life failed when peers in his residence hall locked him inside his dorm room shouting negative, not so humorous, remarks.
"They shoved pennies and (other) coins in the locks so I couldn't get out of the door," Sam recounted. "And they taunted me by calling me 'fag' and snickering."
Sam, began this school year as a sophomore business administration major at the General Nashville Association of Realtors, but left the university after a year of facing prejudice.
"They play-pranked my room because they were threatened by my way of life," Sam said about his experiences in Watson. "It makes them feel like we (homosexuals) are trying to make them accept who we are, but I'm tired of hiding, they are going to have to accept me."
Unfortunately, Sam is not the only homosexual student who has faced prejudice or trials on campus. Unlike Sam, some students have attempted to hide their sexualities.
As opposed to embracing what Sam considers a lifestyle, these students keep their sexual preferences to themselves in pursuit of interests they feel would be hindered otherwise.
The stereotypes associated with being homosexual disable many gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender students from accomplishing goals and aspirations during their undergraduate and graduate years.
"Coming out on campus will restrict me from accomplishing a lot of goals I want to in undergraduate," said Xavier, an anonymous English major from Atlanta. "People will never look past the fact that I am a healthy bisexual male."
Xavier also said he believes athletes in contact sports or fraternity and sorority members feel discomfort toward homosexuals and will do what is necessary to make them quit.
James Alderman, a senior electrical engineering major from St. Petersburg, Fla., and member of the Alpha Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., denied such activity exists in his fraternity.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 6
anonymous
posted 4/13/09 @ 1:11 PM CST
I said to myself that I wasn't going to do this, but certain comments have driven me to it. First, James Alderman should stop bashing gays. Why? Because he is gay himself. (Continued…)
Brandon
posted 4/15/09 @ 7:23 AM CST
Homosexuality is a sickening sin.
sign repair
posted 4/17/09 @ 11:54 AM CST
it's sad that people still have such strong beliefs against homosexuality. let people live their lives as they see fit, and accept them for who they are. (Continued…)
Zackery
posted 4/22/09 @ 8:57 AM CST
Ok! I cannot beleive that the football coach said that as well as the things some students said. I am a graduate of TSU (2003)and very proud of it. I am also proud to be a black gay man. (Continued…)
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