Throughout this week, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students have been illuminating themselves through arch sings, multimedia displays, discussion groups, and ice cream socials.
"Pride Week," as LGBT calls it, is different from the annual fall "Awareness Week" in that it is not noted as an educational week, but rather a celebration. Well, that and there's no "Gay Jeans Tuesday."
On Friday, LGBT is offering a lecture by Brown University history professor Carolyn Dean entitled "Was Hitler Really Gay and Why Does Anyone Care?" In turn, I ask, are Princeton students gay, and why does anyone care?
Dean's lecture title highlights what is consistently labeled as "gay oppression" on campus. Hitler is known for his horrifying and destructive acts of hate during World War II. The mention of his name brings to mind images of his army's salute, as well as his infamous mustache. His sexual orientation in no way alters the perception of his actions. And while some might argue that his gross acts might have resulted from his deep-seated personal insecurities regarding his homosexual status, where does that leave us if Hitler wasn't gay?
Similarly, on campus, I've heard stories, personal and second hand, regarding students' sexual orientation. Since when is sexual preference considered an acceptable topic around eating club tables and dining hall dinners? While homosexuality and heterosexuality alike have become subjects available for public banter, the point remains that they are personal and private issues. On campus, however, refusal to listen to literally oversexed conversation leads only to the accusations of prudish mindset or homophobic tendencies.
I'm not saying that everyone should stay in — or out — of the closet, but merely that the closet is none of our business.
Should the individual choose to loudly vocalize his or her preferences, the individual is forcing those around him or her to make a decision. Do they agree? Do they respond? Currently, the atmosphere on campus is of the mindset that homosexual discussion is no longer a debate. Those who agree are right, those who offer differing viewpoints are bigoted.
LGBT is offering itself up to opposition without providing room for the opposition's opinion. Last year, I found myself on the steps of Frist at noon on the day of the "Kiss In," a gathering on the north lawn celebrating homosexuality through mass kissing sessions. While my feelings were instantly "wrong place, wrong time," it was not regarding the sexual preferences of the individuals, but rather the flagrant display of what should be considered an intimate action. By thrusting the action into the faces of the University community, LGBT is forcing people to express opinions.
This Saturday, the LBGT is hosting the Drag Ball with an invitation proclaiming, "Come dressed to transgress, subvert, and dance the night away!" By literally defining the celebration of their own sexualities as sinful and undermining, LGBT is placing itself in a position where it cannot be taken seriously.
Regardless of Hitler's sexuality, his actions during World War II were horrifyingly inappropriate. To even consider that his sexuality might have been a cause, basis or opportunity for his misguided feelings to fester into a condemnable scene of concentration camps is a direct slap to the homosexual community. However, it also forces acceptance on all individuals, regardless of their personal beliefs or opinions. It hints that should total acceptance not be gained, another repressed homosexual individual could cause such events that occurred in the camps.
Talk about "transgress" and "subvert."
Sexuality is a personal issue that has been forced into the public arena in an effort to pacify the insecurities of individuals seeking approval of others, homosexual and heterosexual. The act once deemed as "love" has been defaced to the point that detailed hookups are easily discussed over brunch on Fridays and Sundays at the eating clubs. What once was sacred between two individuals has been reduced to a mere selfish search for pleasure.
Princeton students are gay — as well as straight — but why do we honestly care? Ashley Johnson is an English major from Florence, Ala. You can email her at ajohnson@princeton.edu.
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