In an effort to initiate discussion about the social climate of the 'Street,' the LGBT, Pride Alliance, OWL, SHARE, the Women's Center and the USG will sponsor a forum tonight on homophobia in the eating clubs.
A forum on this issue has never been attempted before, but the event organizers hope that this discussion will force club members and officers to reevaluate the social environment and behavior at the eating clubs.
The organizers hope the panel will provide a forum for a problem otherwise not discussed.
"I see this program as an opportunity to talk about something that is not talked about on this campus," LGBT adviser Debra Bazarsky said. "[Homophobia] is a serious problem whether it's one student or 50."
Some administrators and students believe the problem pervading Prospect Avenue is only part of a wider campus trend.
"What you see on the 'Street' is a reflection of the campus — it's just the drunken expression of that," said Anne-Marie Barrett '02, a panelist and former president of the Pride Alliance. She recalled witnessing a student throw beer on a gay couple that was holding hands while walking down Prospect Avenue.
Harassment based on sexual preference is not new to the University climate, added Bazarsky. She said students affected are silenced by a culture that does not provide "room" for them to come out, explaining that the vast majority of LGBT students avoid the 'Street,' fearful of any discrimination they might encounter.
For LGBT students, one of the most painful aspects of the 'Street' is the tacit repudiation of their sexual orientation, which Barrett defined as "general unpleasantness."
Panelists hope to enlighten club presidents about the prevailing fear that students have regarding coming out. "They are afraid to come out because they are afraid of losing their social network and status on campus," Bazarsky said.
The panelists will read and provide feedback on anonymously submitted testimonies, share their own experiences and engage in discussion with audience members.
The stories range from verbal harassment like 'faggot' and 'dyke' to students feeling isolated and ashamed for dancing with someone of the same gender or walking down the 'Street' with their partner. In such cases, students have faced traumatic taunting, verbal assaults, and threats of physical harm.
"Students are being pained by what's going on," Bazarsky said. "That's not new, but it's time that gets alleviated through education. We can change the campus culture so that students feel like they can be out."
Homophobia at the 'Street' is the second of three forums evaluating issues of harassment at the eating clubs. This forum follows the format of others including "Sexual Climate at the Street," which took place in Dec., and another, "Race at the Street," currently in the works. The panel will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Frist Multi-Purpose Room.
Among the panelists will be former Tower Club officer Meghan Brown, student organizer Kristopher Kersey '04, SHARE coordinator Thema Bryant, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Maria Flores-Mills and former LGBT president Gregory Colon '01.
"I hope what comes out of it is an assessment by the leadership of the clubs' environment," Flores-Mills said. "From this they will create places that are welcoming in general and of LGBT students."
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