Mario Martinus '98 has a "secret," but it is a secret he will gladly share with anyone.
What is Martinus' secret? What makes him different from other students? What is this so-called "secret" that Martinus will freely share, sometimes with complete strangers?
Martinus, who currently sings in the College's Chamber Singers and serves as a representative on the Programming Board, is homosexual.
"Yes, oh my god, he's gay," Martinus said mockingly. He said that is the usual first reaction from people when they hear he is homosexual. "I never knew gay people were LIKE you."
That is Martinus' secret. Considered a badge of shame for some, Martinus wears the distinction with honor.
One of Martinus' many activities includes co-chairing the Dartmouth Rainbow Alliance, the sometimes controversial and always political organization of gay, lesbian and bisexual students.
A native of the island of Aruba in the Dutch West Indies, Martinus attended Philip Exeter Academy in Exeter and came out of the proverbial closet the summer before coming to Dartmouth.
"I've always known it," Martinus said.
"It was just the process of coming to terms with myself and society," he remarks. "I decided to be visible."
Martinus, who plans to be an English creative writing major, has been involved with the campus gay, lesbian and bisexual organization since he first came to Dartmouth. After his first year here, he said he realized he wanted to get involved in campus politics.
"After attending many of DaGLO meetings last year, I just knew I could help the cause along ... make a difference," Martinus said, referring to the Dartmouth Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Organization, which was renamed the Dartmouth Rainbow Alliance in the spring.
Martinus ran to be the alliance's co-chair because he said he saw there were "so many things that needed to be done."
"The Dartmouth campus is filled with so many misconceptions about gay, lesbian and bisexual students and I hope by focusing attention on such issues, the DRA will be able to change some attitudes," Martinus said.
"I think it's the misconceptions that bother people," Martinus added.
Martinus said he hopes to reach every sector of the campus through this exposure, more education on the subject of homosexuality and the increased visibility of the alliance.
"Mario brings a certain comfortability to his position. He's a strong person ... and he demands respect," said Herlena Harris '96, the other co-chair of the Dartmouth Rainbow Alliance.
Martinus said he will continue to "fight for gay rights," even after college.
"It's a very personal fight which no one can fight for me," Martinus said.
With the female co-chair of the alliance, Herlena Harris '96, Martinus has already launched his agenda. The theme the alliance has selected is that of "Becoming Invisible."
This theme of "Becoming Invisible" is an oxymoron of sorts for Martinus who is such a visible person on campus. Martinus said he hopes that by showing the Dartmouth community that gays, lesbians and bisexuals are involved in every sector of the campus, the rest of the community will come to accept homosexuality and diversity in all of its forms.