Most people that encounter me this term may think, "Hey that's one big flaming fag," and they may be right in describing my 6'5" stature, fuscia hair, and the pride rings that never leave my neck. I'm sure there are other things about my demeanor that may tip people off to my sexuality. The only problem is that is the reaction I want. I haven't been in the closet since freshman year of high school and don't plan on going back in there anytime soon. Yet, it was just the other day that one of my friends said that, "You may be one of the most visible gay people on this campus, but the best thing is that you have this attitude about you that 'I belong here,'" and that's how I feel. Dartmouth has become the home that I always wanted: I have people I care about and who care about me also. It's just the kind of environment that is needed at colleges in this nation.
I was a little scared though, the first time I stepped on campus, thinking about all the possible "what ifs" and "maybes" that could happen. This feeling, however, didn't stay with me long for I realized that I couldn't be the person I was if I let those kinds of things affect me. This is the attitude I've had since day one, and my Dartmouth experience has been spectacular.
I've gone to the different frats and played pong or dice with brothers there, and haven't gotten my ass kicked or been singled out. I've sat and had lunch with different sports teams and talked about the wild excursion with some guy that I had the night before. I've been dragged down the hall to give a friend fashion advice and I've introduced my roommates to my different "friends" that I've had over.
The only thing that my parents told me, before leaving, was not to overdo the "gay-thing." But when did I ever really listen to my parents? My first term here I was Social Co-chair of the Dartmouth Rainbow Alliance, a member of GSA, was an avid participator in National Coming Out Month, and organized "Day of Silence."
I haven't had a bad experience at Dartmouth yet, and don't expect to. The one thing that has surprised me is that people are far more curious about my life then they are prejudiced about it.
Dartmouth is changing, it may be slowly, but it is changing nonetheless. The opinion of "out" upperclassmen is that the '04 class is the gayest class here because we have such a high number of visible and active LGBTQA students. In just one term, the 04 class has taken a major part in educating the campus about issues and problems, more so than the deans have seen in recent years. So where is Dartmouth going next?
