To the Editor:
I am writing in response and with a certain amount of rage to Tuesday's column in The Dartmouth by Adam J. Siegel '98, "On Segregated Housing." I'm unsure as to whether Siegel is overwhelmed by stupidity or just plain ignorance, and hopefully this response will illuminate on some of the issues that Siegel fails to recognize.
Siegel states, "the majority of Dartmouth students who believe that a dormitory which does not discriminate on the basis of class, gender, race or sexual preference enhances our residential-life experience." There are two issues to be taken with this statement. First, whose residential-life experience is being enhanced? Last fall, when a queer student in Lord Hall had dirt thrown at her window at which hung a rainbow flag, I fail to see how her residential-life experience was being enhanced. Second, Siegel feels that the "Political Queers" attempt at "segregation" is "socially and intellectually destructive to the well being of our campus." Clearly, Siegel privileges the intellectual interaction with the status quo, but explicitly proves his ignorance when he claims that this political faction of the Rainbow Alliance "ironically labels itself with a self-demeaning title, the "Political Queers." Queer is not a self-demeaning term, but rather a term of resistance against oppression. The term itself is encompassing of all non-heterosexual identities, as well as "straight allies."
Siegel attempts to explicate on the nature of affinity housing. He finds "academic-affinity housing" in accordance with the goals and mission of the College, but presumes that halls such as Shabazz Hall and the Native American House are "based on race and ethnicity and not academics." I believe Dean Pelton is writing to this issue, but I would say to Siegel that he should do some research, or read the ORC. The "Queer Perspectives" affinity housing that the "Political Queers" have proposed, does in fact integrate academics into the residential space. Students applying to live in "Queer Perspectives" affinity housing need not be non-heterosexual. There are a number of "Queer courses" at Dartmouth in certain departments, as well as last terms College Course 3, Introduction to Gay and Lesbian Studies.
Siegel continues, "The creation of all-gay/lesbian housing would also signify the administration's act of condoning homosexual behavior within the dorm, thus discriminating against any heterosexual couple who wishes to share a room on-campus." If Siegel means homosexual behavior as "sex," then it already exists in the dorms. The hegemonic heterosexual discourse must impede Siegel from realizing this, but it is true. Siegel's homophobia also presumes that the "Political Queers" are merely asking for this space so they can practice "homosexual behavior," and this is discriminatory to heterosexuals. I have a problem with this idea of "discriminating against heterosexuals." When heterosexuals are denied employment, are not allowed to marry, are beaten in the streets, or jailed because of who they "heterosexually behave" with, then the dialogue of discrimination might be able to proceed. "Queer Perspectives" affinity housing is consistent with the current residential life policy of non-mixed rooms. If heterosexuals want to take issue with this policy, they have the agency to speak with a Dean in the Office of Residential Life. But claiming discrimination is a bit ridiculous.
Queer students feel there is a need for "Queer Perspectives" Affinity Housing, as a place of intellectual discourse, academic and social integration, and as a place of support. "Queer Perspectives' Affinity Housing is also for the Dartmouth community. As stated in the proposal, "Our community is somewhat smaller than many others on campus, and because it isn't possible to visually identify queer people, we are often lost in the masses and our strength and energy far too diluted to really work on creating change on this campus. Often times, students are virtually unaware that gay, lesbian and bisexual people are present on this campus -- the Queer Perspectives floor would increase our visibility and bring students to recognize our presence on campus and encourage them to better understand the experiences of gay, lesbian and bisexual students."
