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Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Issues
Q from a Male, Senior student at UConn: What
or who can people turn to when they are having
problems coming out as gay or lesbian or just need
support?
A: Unlike some other minority groups, the
university does not have a person officially
appointed to deal specifically with gay/lesbian
issues. However, most counseling centers provide
services for "sexual issues" - which include
orientation. In addition, if you are interested in
talking with other gay/lesbian students, contact
your campus gay/lesbian organization, which
provides a number of supportive, educational, and
social activities.
Q from a Male, Junior student at Emory U:
As a gay student, I'm tired of hearing people
assume everyone is straight. It makes it hard for
me to "come out" and tell anyone about who I am -
even to my friends. At times, I feel isolated and
left out. Are people so narrow-minded that they
don't think anyone is gay or are they just
homophobic?
A: It's hard to say what might be going
on. Heterosexism, the assumption that everyone is
or should be heterosexual, is a prevalent bias in
our culture; homophobia is defined as an intense
dislike or fear of gay men and lesbian women, as
well as the fear of being perceived as homosexual.
I would not assume that your friends are
intentionally meaning to alienate you. It may be
that they are not aware of what you view as their
heterosexism. If you feel comfortable, I encourage
you to talk with your close friends about this. I
also suggest you get in touch with the
gay/lesbian/bi student group. They may be able to
offer you the support you are looking for.
© 2010, Sandra L.
Caron
* * *
It is not sex that gives the pleasure, but the
lover. - Marge Piercy
American teens have the worst of all
worlds...Our children are bombarded and confronted
with sexual messages, sexual exploitation, and all
manner of sexual criticism. But our society is by
and large sexually illiterate. Faye Westheimer
Dr. Sandra L.
Caron is a professor of human sexuality at the
University of Maine. To submit a question to Dr.
Caron or chat with your peers visit
www.CollegeSexTalk.com
Got a question for Dr. Caron? Visit
www.collegesextalk.com/questions.htm
and ask away! Get a guaranteed personal and
confidential response to your question:
www.my-secure-site.com/collegesextalk/
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