Closeted conservatism

As Gay Awareness Week unfolded on this campus last week, several guest writers, regular columnists and letters to the editor addressed important gay rights issues on this page; we published pieces on topics ranging from gay marriage to the Queer Radicals' "Love-In" to one writer's experience at the Toronto Pride Parade.

The Opinion Board shares a very strong belief in the importance of gay rights. We think gays deserve more than tolerance — they deserve inclusion and equality. But we were nonetheless surprised, and even concerned, to see that we did not receive a single submission last week criticizing any of the Awareness Week events. And surely there were things to criticize: The Queer Radicals' apparent endorsement of polyamory on their "Love-In" signs, which called for equal respect for all relationships irrespective not only of gender but of "number," was unsettling even to some members of the campus' gay and lesbian community. Must our acceptance of Princeton's LGBT community as loved ones and friends include accepting all aspects of a self-described "radical" platform? Is this type of extreme message really the best way to advance the greater gay struggle?

You might wonder why, given our support for gay rights, we're uneasy about the discussion that took place last week. The answer is simple. This campus' silence does not accurately reflect where the University and the nation actually are in terms of acceptance for gays — from a proposed federal marriage amendment to the views of some campus religious groups to the homophobic comments and harassment at the Street. Although our campus is superficially united in proclaiming its support for homosexuals, there's no question that some Princeton students have reservations about part or all of the gay rights agenda. These students' beliefs and presuppositions won't be changed if they remain in a closet of their own, quietly scared and grudgingly parroting the accepting view handed down by the University and the more outspoken campus groups. Afraid of being labeled bigots, they remain unfortunately silent, leading to an eerie unanimity in campus discussions of gay issues.

So today, even as we assert our wholehearted support for gay rights, we still urge those who don't match this full acceptance to speak up. Only when they voice their concerns and reservations in a truly open and free dialogue can latent stereotypes and misconceptions be finally put to rest. Daily Princetonian editorials are written by the Editorial & Opinion Editors, Managing Editors and Editor-In-Chief.