Since arriving back to the Amherst College campus in mid-August, I have heard of more accounts and incidents of homophobia and heterosexism, overt and covert, than in my previous two years at Amherst. Perhaps, due to more frequent reporting and better communication among students, staff, faculty and administration about such incidents, we have gained a more accurate, all-encompassing perspective on campus regarding issues of homophobia and campus climate for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer/questioning and allied (LGBTQA) students.
Comparing one form of oppression with another and one oppressed group with another without rooting the comparison in a historical context, usually oversimplifies incredibly complex histories and systems of oppression. Such comparison does not account for the varying ways in which different forms of oppression manifest. Furthermore, it often leads to divisions among groups rather than increased understanding and coalition-building. With this said, though problematic to oversimplify reality by comparing say, racism and heterosexism, or sexism and classism, without analysis and historical context, we can find common ground on the basis of civil rights and especially the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." I think most of us at Amherst College agree that all students, staff and faculty should be part of a community free of harassment and/or discrimination based on who we are as people. What is funny and socially permissible (at least in certain contexts) to some may lead others to feel unsafe, excluded and disrespected.
The good news is that, over the years, Amherst has come a long way and has made significant strides in this direction. We are not the only campus still struggling to create an environment in academics, athletics, and residential and campus life that is fully inclusive, safe and respectful of students based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. In response to its struggles as a campus, Duke University students, both gay and straight, created a T-shirt campaign, supplying the campus with colorful shirts reading, "Gay? Fine by Me." A Jan. 18, 2004 article in The New York Times about Duke's initiative reads (in reference to the student organizers),"they decided they knew 450 students and faculty members they could persuade to wear the shirts on one designated day. 'We thought maybe it was possible that these people didn't have a way to make it clear that homophobia is not something they believe in,' says Leila Nesson, a graduate student in history. 'We would give people a really visible but not aggressive way to say, I'm not homophobic.'"
We are at a time in history when sexual orientation has led to a debate over our morality, our values, our legitimacy, our rights and our religious and spiritual standing. There is discussion and debate (and real legal implications) in newspapers, on radio and television, in the classroom and in casual lunchtime conversation. I encourage all of us to be aware of what we say. For example, some members of the Amherst community feel perfectly entitled to tell some of us their opinions: People say that we (non-heterosexuals) should not be raising children, and then walk away as if the statement were merely a neutral personal belief. The reality is that such opinions, when turned into policies and laws, have the ability to drastically impact our daily lives and those of the people we love.
So, if people being respected for who they are is "fine by you," please do pick up one of our fabulous shirts next week. If gay people are not in fact, "fine by you," perhaps you could work to be more compassionate about what it must feel like to be in a group that people do not accept. If using words such as "fag," is fine by you, I encourage you to consider why such words are deeply offensive and historically loaded to many people of all sexual orientations.
On a positive note, while homophobic incidents and comments may be on the rise at Amherst, so is the amount of solidarity, coalition and support. Allies are coming out of the woodwork to send helpful articles, speak up against hateful language, report homophobic incidents and pro-actively work to create a more fully inclusive, respectful and safe environment for all Amherst students. We all deeply appreciate this support and people's efforts in creative and brave ways to "come out" as allies, which sometimes takes as much courage and conviction as coming out as LGBTQ, depending on the context and circumstance. So, thank you to all of you. Thank you in particular to the President's and the Dean of Students' offices, who supported our idea to bring "Gay? Fine by Me" shirts to Amherst and funded 400 shirts, enabling 400 Amherst students, staff, and faculty to have them for free.
It is disheartening to hear about a student's experience at Amherst, his or her high school or workplace being compromised by homophobia and heterosexism. Students shouldn't have to hear the word "fag" over and over in their locker rooms, residence halls, cafeterias and social events. However, I know this can change for the better. It already has in so many ways, yet our work is far from done.
I understand that we are all socialized in ways that may teach us to be consciously and unconsciously homophobic. This is complicated by varying religious, spiritual and cultural ideologies. However, we are not asking you to compromise your religious beliefs but rather to stand by the notion that all people and all Amherst College students deserve a college experience free of harassment, discrimination and oppression based on any one of their identities or ideologies. As the Coordinator of LGBTQA Student Support and Services, I welcome any and all students to talk with me about any of these issues, regardless of personal stance.
Hopefully, some day soon, we'll have T-shirts that read, "Gay? Fine. That's great that you know who you are, we celebrate that!" In the meantime, "Gay? Fine by Me" is a much appreciated step in the right direction.
Brigham can be reached at ekbrigham@amherst.edu.