UW-Oshkosh campus not an inviting place for the LGBTQ students or staff

By Thomas Hanaway — Published: Thursday, October 14, 2010

The recent suicides of young, gay people in the media have caused an uproar. It seems like everyone is suddenly surprised by how horribly people in the LGBTQ community are treated. Unfortunately for some of us, we've known or experienced this most of our lives.

What most people don't understand is that these acts of hatred aren't isolated incidents. They are happening all over the world, including Oshkosh. It is extremely hard being a student at UW-Oshkosh as well as being a member of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transsexual and Queer community. It's not easy, it's not painless, and every day is a reminder of that.

LGBTQ individuals are easy targets of attack from fellow students, who name-call, taunt, stare and more. These people are being treated like pariahs.

In classes people giggle if a guy person acts flamboyant or if his gestures are too "swishy." There may have been times when students have used "gay" in a derogatory manner, but the professor doesn't take the time to correct the usage of the word. In hallways, people who see a gay person may turn to their friend to say, "He's so obviously gay." Apparently, when someone is gay that means they're hard of hearing, as well.

Nighttime is possibly more unsafe for LGBTQ people who come in contact with belligerent people. There have been situations where people have been yelled at or threatened while walking back home during the night.

For some, at a certain point, they almost become numb to situations like hearing people use the word "gay" as a derogatory term so many times it doesn't even faze them anymore. Occasionally, LGBTQ people feel like they have to remind themselves to not act so "swishy" to not draw attention to themselves.

Sometimes they almost feel guilty or ashamed for being who they are and acting the way they normally would. When people say vulgar comments, they may do their best to ignore it, because picking battles is easier than arguing with anyone who tries to attack them. If they chose to argue with every ignorant person they've encountered, they may be exhausted all the time.

That is how frustrating it can be to be an LGBTQ student on this campus. They almost have to shut themselves down in order to not be angry or depressed about the world around them. They learn quickly to develop a thick skin and try to block out as much as possible.

This is what it is like being a student here at Oshkosh sometimes: plug your ears and pretend that everything is fine.

There are some positive aspects of this campus, like the LGBTQ Resource Center, which is a safe place on campus for LGBTQ people or allies to meet and learn in a safe environment.

Rainbow Alliance for Helping Others Perceive Equality is a club on campus where LGBTQ students and allies can meet and socialize in the same protected atmosphere the center provides. There was also last year's Ally March, a celebration of supporting the LGBTQ community that went through campus.

There is also the counseling center, which is free for students to seek help about the problems they are facing. There is even a LGBTQ-specific support group for students, which can be the perfect outlet for frustrations.

In addition, there is the school's Students, Staff and Faculty for Equality program, also known as S.A.F.E., where students, faculty and staff can listen to panels discuss what it is like being LGBTQ. After people go through this program, they are given a pink triangle and are encouraged to put this on their office or room door to show their support for the LGBTQ community.

These triangles around school may make people feel more comfortable knowing the moment of walking into someone's office that they took the extra time to learn more about the trials and tribulations of LGBTQ students.  It is a warm and welcoming feeling.

There have been several suicides in the past few weeks, suicides that Ellen DeGeneres called an "epidemic."

DeGeneres and other celebrities have been using the Internet and YouTube to get out their message of hope and encouragement to LGBTQ youth, and some of it is extremely moving.

Many celebrities use their fame to spread optimism to the gay community, a group that truly needs it.  Through an online campaign called, "It gets better," it is refreshing to see from a popular group that has influence on the world.

It does indeed get better, but only if everyone puts forth some effort first. In order to deal with being in such a misunderstood minority, being surrounded by friends and loved ones who show acceptance makes a big impact.

Reach out to people who will listen, whether that is a counseling group on campus or an academic adviser.  Don't hide away in a closet and hope that life gets better.  Finding true friends and trustworthy professors is the best support students can possibly receive.

Remember, whether if you are a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer or questioning individual, make the most of a situation and it will get better.