Rooting out the intolerance amongst us

The country has recently been jolted by five highly publicized suicides by gay teens. Most recently, Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University first-year, took his own life after his roommate and his hallmate “outed” him by secretly broadcasting his sexual encounter with another man on the Internet. Clementi’s suicide occurred the day of the launch of Project Civility, a Rutgers program that university officials say is aimed to create a “stronger, more closely knit university—healthier, happier, and celebrating diversity in all its forms.” In organizing this program, Rutgers clearly made acceptance of diversity a priority long before this devastating event took place, so why did it happen? This issue extends beyond the Rutgers campus, affecting us at Columbia and other schools as well.

As tragic as these recent suicides have been, can we really be that shocked? When religious leaders preach homophobia and anti-gay groups protest at soldiers’ funerals, screaming “God Hates Fags,” gay youths are forced to stifle their identities for fear of being rejected by their families and communities. When the Senate fails to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, an anti-gay policy preventing gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, what message does that send to homosexuals and the country as a whole? Or when states implement legislation prohibiting gays from marrying or adopting children? These policies, which have been put into place by our elected officials in response to popular support, state loudly and clearly that homosexuals are not equals to heterosexuals and do not deserve to be treated as such. These policies condone bigotry and disrespect. The dangerous power of their messages reaches our campus, our communities, and the entire country.

It’s time for the American people and our government to take a long, hard look at ourselves. In theory, our country stands for “liberty and justice for all,” but our treatment of homosexuals is completely un-American. Regardless of one’s personal feelings toward homosexuality, do we want our society to be one of hate and intolerance, where individuals feel so bullied and ostracized that they go as far as to take their own lives? Why have we not learned from the embarrassment of this country’s historical intolerance? Years of racial segregation are now regarded as a stain on American history. How is this different? Many Americans are being denied rights and are marginalized for who they are. This injustice should certainly ring a bell or two.

Like Rutgers and most other universities, Columbia has various clubs and organizations for the gay community and their straight allies. Columbia Queer Alliance, Q, Queer Awareness Month, and other groups host events and programs that aim to provide a safe and comfortable environment for LGBT students. Ask Alice! offers numerous articles on its website, answering a range of queries a gay student might have. In its ROTC ban, the University has made its stance against homophobia clear.

Like many of my peers, I find Columbia to be a generally tolerant community—but how far does mere tolerance go? It is not unusual to hear students around campus say things like “that’s so gay” or use other gay slurs when joking with friends. How can a gay student be comfortable when overhearing homophobic comments like these? We can’t get lulled into thinking that the story of Tyler Clementi would never happen here. It could.

So, how can we change our culture so that one’s sexual orientation doesn’t have the potential to make one feel disrespected on campus? I don’t have all the answers, but what I do know is that we need to have a discussion about it. Policies make a difference. Words make a difference. In our classrooms, at work, with our friends, and with our families—let’s remember that what we say has power. Asher Brown, Billy Lucas, Seth Walsh, Raymond Chase, and Tyler Clementi died as a result of intolerance. We must use their deaths as a wake-up call—both as a harsh reminder and an opportunity for change.

Alexandra Katz is a Barnard College senior majoring in political science. Umm, Excuse me runs alternate Tuesdays.