 |
|
| B-GLAAD members face
campus stereotype realities, speak out |
Jusitn Boulmay
Multicultural Beat
|
As Brandie
L. Huffman, a sophomore at Appalachian State University, was using
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) one day, she received a disturbing message.
“I hope you die,” it read.
Other messages, such as “Cancel your next birthday” and
“You should slit your throat,” also appeared on her screen.
Judging by the person’s screen name, Huffman said she knew
the messages came as a result of her being a lesbian.
Huffman is currently the president of the Appalachian chapter of
Bisexuals, Gays, Lesbians and Allies for Diversity (B-GLAAD). Huffman
said she does not know if the messages she received came from someone
on campus or not.
“I don’t know if someone’s joking or being serious,”
she said. “It’s scary. Are they willing to do something
radical?”
Despite the messages, Huffman had good things to say about overall
views of homosexuality at Appalachian.
“I think people have a good stance of homosexuality on this
campus, but I think that changes when you become visual about who
you are,” Huffman said. “Most people are OK until they
see it.”
B-GLAAD makes itself known on campus in a number of ways, Huffman
said Friday. Activities range from discussions about homosexual
issues, such as same-gender-domestic violence, to their annual drag
show.
Coming in April is the “Second Chance Prom,” she said.
“It’s basically a chance for anyone who didn’t have
a good time at their prom during high school,” she said. “Straight
or gay, it doesn’t matter.”
Huffman said the proceeds from the dance would go to O.A.S.I.S.,
which aids women who have been hurt by domestic violence.
B-GLAAD also participates in the National Day of Silence, and participation
is not limited to the club’s members, she said. Each person
participating vows to remain silent for nine hours as a way to raise
awareness for gay and lesbian issues.
However, as Huffman said, the members of B-GLAAD who are open about
their sexuality do not always receive positive responses from other
students.
“We’ve had tunnel paintings in the past, and they’ve
been severely defaced,” she said.
One of the wooden signs B-GLAAD put on campus to promote the drag
show for last Saturday was also stolen, she said.
“I think it’s actually worse on this campus for homosexual
males then lesbians,” she said. “I’ve been on campus
eating with my gay-male friends, and there’s been instances
where a big group of guys will call them ‘fags’ and ‘faggots.’”
Zachary Mullis, a freshmen psychology major, said he himself doesn’t
agree with the lifestyle, but sexuality shouldn’t make someone
a “target for ridicule”.
The biggest misconception heterosexuals have towards homosexuals,
Huffman said, is they believe any gay person they see will flirt
with them.
Huffman said in response, does every heterosexual you come into
contact with hit on you when you see them?
Joel M. Stroup, a junior music industry studies major, is a resident
assistant on the third floor of Hoey Residence Hall.
“I’m still getting it together, but what I want to do
is put up thought-provoking flyers about homosexuality to make people
think,” he said.
Stroup said such questions will include topics such as whether homosexuality
is a choice. A “discussion” would take place a few days
later. Stroup said it would be a discussion, not a debate, and he
would invite someone who is homosexual to come and speak what their
feelings were.
Stroup said he hopes the experience will help people think of homosexuals
more as human beings and less as a “us” and “them”
concept. |
|
 |
 |
