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The individual, human experience we all share
12:00 am Jun 17 - by Eric Gordon – buzz Writer
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As a country, we have thankfully moved beyond the idea of terming lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, or "LGBT" people as a “third gender.” However, many other countries have taken it a step further, eliminating the term "LGBT". I see our use of the term as a double negative. I am all for allowing the community a chance to classify their identity, but by coining this vocabulary it also separates them as someone other than the community and the term often helps to unintentionally ostracize people from being fully included in the community. I feel there is a need to uncharged what some might consider a charged word.
In so far as the university, we have made some progress when it comes to LGBT issues, with a resource center, one-hour dialogue classes covering a variety of topics along with other efforts in attempting to make a more “Inclusive Illinois.” But, my friends, we still has some work to do.
I can only say that I am an ally to the LGBT community, although my contributions may be considered small. I do not speak out when I should or stand upon unpopular lines, which I feel this is part of where the problem begins. Yes, I am going to encourage you that no action is too small, yet there are some social constructs in place that will make some actions seem like a pebble in an ocean. What is a far greater detriment to any cause is inaction or feeling as though nothing matters.
Once we actually become honest and clear about what we believe then we can honestly approach people from a number of cultures and try to improve relations.
All I ask as a start is to be true to yourself and try to grow meaningful relationships with the people around you, whether for the rest of your life or for just a part of your four years. For no matter your identity, there is something we all share in this human experience. We all attend the University of Illinois. Let’s start the conversation there and get to know each other and who knows we might be surprised how much we have to teach each other.
Sound Off
Last post: Jun. 25, 2009 at 11:51 am
Liamz (unregistered user) said on Jun. 23, 2009 at 9:04 pm:
I kinda wish we had a sex section instead of LGBT ... but I'm kinda biased.
jon hansen (unregistered user) said on Jun. 25, 2009 at 11:51 am:
I think it's pretty cool, and to be honest, ahead of the curve of other entertainment/community websites, that we have an LGBT section. Perhaps, Rachel, your article could have been placed in a few different sections.
Come on Liam, let's keep it classy. It's not all about sex. One time I talked about Starbucks, sooooo....there?
Rachel Storm (Rachel Storm) said on Jun. 21, 2009 at 4:55 pm:
This is a great post. Perhaps a dialogue about our role in shaping our community and information (like the 217) would be appropriately opened up in response to this article Eric presents us with.
I remember writing an article on Ladies Night at the Illini Arcade and because I mentioned queer sex toys and porn movies, it was put in the LGBT section, (where this article was placed as well), which may have been viewed by some readers as "well, this is sexualized, let's put it in the gay section." And many of you may know about the article I wrote on the drag kings and queens of C-Street and the caricatures of drag people that were drawn to "compliment" it-- which frustrated me at the time. This is all a learning process and I should have never left the Buzz over that article, but tried to continue to write about populations that are often ignored.
It is interesting, though, to figure out what is more important--to create a LGBT tab on the 217 website, or to put all of these articles in which any other articles about our community--in the "community" section, ultimately symbolizing a move away from segregation. On the other hand, what, then of a LGBT space? I'm sure some will argue that the LGBT tab is a good one and I wouldn't necessarily disagree.
Any thoughts?