Lesbian student takes a stand against discrimination in the residence halls

A time must come when all people must stand up for the good of those around them. Now is the time for me to stand up. To do that I wish for you all to know my story and how the same story, with different twists, have been happening in GC&SU’s residence halls.

I entered GC&SU’s residence halls in 2003 with the great hope of making new friends, including my first roommate. I was entering a new, exciting world, and I couldn’t wait to explore this new sphere with my peers. Understand, all this and more seemed possible to me in the beginning.

When my roommate moved in we seemed to hit it off well. Then it
happened– my new roommate found out that I was going to be joining the Gay-Straight Alliance on campus. I wasn’t trying to hide this fact from her. I told her I was a lesbian. I was simply anxious that she would react poorly to this new insight into part of who I was and am. I wanted to give her time to get to know the whole me. I didn’t see her much for the rest of the time she was my roommate.

My first possible friend, my first roommate, moved out, with great cost to her parents, three days after she had moved in. There was no trying to work out any of our troubles because she was gone with no warning. At the sight of her moving, I asked the only thing that came to mind. I asked if she needed a hand. Of course she said no, and I walked to the counseling office and broke down in front of strangers and the only person I really knew on campus, Assistant Director of Counseling Services Susan Hendley. I blamed myself. It took me a long time and much support from the people in the GSA and counseling to get over this initial experience, and at times I still blame myself, but never my first roommate.

I have had a great roommate since then, and many wonderful suitemates. I am glad to say no one else has had their roommate or suitemates paying to get away from them. This is a coup for the school, counselors, resident assistants and directors, who work to keep these people together. College is for learning, after all, and a part of what we all learn comes from our fellows.

In the end, it is my hope that by writing this, some of you might realize you are not alone in your troubles, and for others I hope that you will think about the feelings of the people you are moving in with. I will rest happy when I no longer feel I have to write down my story because its hardships are ancient history. I look to all of you, my peers, to make the changes necessary for a better future.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 9 2005. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry