Is the media's portrayal of one Christian group representative of the view of every Christian in the US? Are the stereotypes reflected in the small number of minority characters on TV shows representative of all Blacks, Latinos, and Asians in our community? The media perpetuates stereotypes of homosexual appearance, ideology, and manner through the few gay characters that are on TV and in film. Does that mean every lesbian, bisexual, or gay man looks, thinks, or acts in one certain way?
I hope that as well-educated Tufts students we know that the answer to all of these questions is no. Because minority groups are not equally represented in the media, the few that are included tend to serve as spokespeople for their entire group. People who are not in minority groups for class, race, or sexual orientation may have only indirect experiences with people of these minority groups. This leads to the burden of a few minorities representing an entire population.
Just as every White, middle-class, heterosexual man is an individual, every member of a minority group is an individual and cannot be expected to fully represent the character of an entire population.
This point brings me to the ideas surrounding the chalkings around campus last week. Unfortunately, when something crude or very sexual is written on the ground, the Tufts population might get the idea that the entire queer community here is crude and sexual. The chalkings may perpetuate stereotypes already attributed to the queer community. We must realize that one chalking, one Viewpoint, or one coming out story in the dining hall cannot possible represent the thoughts or ideas of an entire community.
Before we decided to chalk campus last week, we had a great debate in a Tufts Transgender Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Community (TTLGBC) meeting about what to include. Some people within TTLGBC thought the sexual chalkings were offensive. Some felt that seeing sexual chalkings on the ground was empowering. It proves that Tufts is a safe place where we can truly express our ideas.
Coming out and finding affirmation in the same-sex attractions you have is extremely difficult. Seeing those same-sex attractions affirmed though straightforward recognition may relieve and serve as support for some people. On the other hand, overtly sexual chalkings or even the idea of a Queerification Day may decrease support within the straight community. Some members of the straight community tend to lose respect for the queer community when we "push our sexuality in their faces."
Eventually, we came to the conclusion as a collective that if nothing else, the chalkings spark debate. Some may think they are positive; some may think they are negative, but most importantly, when they are out there, people think about them. When the queer community is visible, people are forced to think about issues of sexuality, and that is positive.
We decided, as a collective, to do chalkings of all sorts, as long as they had affirming messages. We believed that when these chalkings were supplemented with Viewpoints and coming out stories in the dining halls we could give a fuller picture of the queer community. Of course, regardless of what we do we could never fully represent an entire population of people, but when we use a greater number of outlets for visibility we come closer.
I hope that last week's Queerification Day was a day of visibility, awareness, and discussion. We need to recognize all of the various sexual identities of Tufts students. I want people to talk to individuals about how they feel about the visibility of the queer community on campus. Start a discussion on how you think it would be best to represent the TTLGBC on campus. The only way we can spread acceptance is through awareness, thought, and meaningful discussion. I believe you can't truly accept something you don't understand. LOOK. THINK. DISCUSS.
Finally, I wanted Queerification Day to be a day of pride. The world is a diverse place and Tufts is representative of that diversity. I couldn't truly come out until I came to Tufts, and I am so happy to be here. I found acceptance in the Tufts community, which leads to acceptance of myself. I love diversity in every aspect of an individual. That is what makes life exciting; that is what makes people special! I am proud of all the students here who embrace their differences and appreciate differences in others everyday.
Stacey Ulrich is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major.
