First, let me preface this article by saying that it is 6 a.m and I am an angry lesbian. I tell you this not so that you can decide to disregard what I have to say, but rather so that you know you should pay close attention.
I can’t sleep and I’m pissed that of all the things to be keeping me up, it is this – the memory of a recent get-together in a suite on campus.
Long story short, while in the suite for maybe an hour and a half, I heard several of the people say the words “homo,” “gay,” – and yes, even “faggot” – in a derogatory manner about 20 times.
I mean, are there really times when people can be so lost for words that their only possible choice is, “That is so homosexual?”
At first, I was just disappointed that I put myself in a situation with people that would say such things.
Feeling very uncomfortable and sad, I left the party. Now it is several days later and yes, I am still thinking about it.
And yes, I am angry.
Aren’t you surprised that, after two years in college, those people haven’t learned that such language is offensive?
I read a theory once about morality that explained how most college students come to school their freshman year seeing the world in black and white. A “this is always wrong” and “that is always right” kind of a thing.
Then, during the experiences at their university, things become more complicated, their world becomes gray. I know in my case, I got to college and realized I knew nothing about a lot. My world is all shades of gray.
Could the people at that suite really have never had such a realization concerning homosexuality? I mean come on, they must have at least had that token openly gay hallmate freshman year that answered those really embarrassing questions as a representative of the world’s entire gay population.
Well, maybe they just forgot what that kid had to say. Let me recap – when you use words like “gay,” “homo” and “faggot,” you sound ignorant and you offend people.
I am not just talking about gay people. There are straight people out there that are embarrassed by people like you. That’s right.
You are an embarrassment.
In the past, there have been articles in Campus Times about the importance of choosing your words carefully in order to foster a more inclusive, accepting environment for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community on campus. Well, that calm and reasoned approach doesn’t seem to work, so I thought I’d offer another motivation to speak carefully – I’m sick of hearing your hateful language.
And to all of you that are thinking, “Maybe those kids didn’t know you were gay and if they did, they wouldn’t have said those things,” I say, okay so let me just get all butch and paint myself in rainbow before leaving my room every morning. Maybe that will stop them.
And to all of you that are thinking, “Those kids were just joking, why let it bother you?” I say, right and when those kids’ kids are “just joking,” will it still not bother you?
The only thing that irritates me more than the use of those words is the fact that these “educated” people are well on their way to creating a whole new generation of ignorance.
And to all of you that are thinking, “Why did I just read this girl’s sob story?” I say, get over it.
Delpercio can be reached at adelpercio@campustimes.org.
