I would also like to address my comments made in Barrett Neale's article "GLBTQ panel discusses issues, answers questions."
Firstly, my comment regarding the university's Track and Field team may have offended several people. But let me stress that my feeling of exclusion on the team was a personal experience and one of many factors that led to my decision to leave the team — by no means the primary or only reason. This does not mean that Mr. Mello encountered the same response in regards to his sexual orientation and gives him no right to discredit my experience. In fact, our experiences stand at odds with the stereotypical norm: gay men experience the large majority of homophobia and heterosexism (upwards of 80 percent, FBI). This only furthers the fact that we are two different people with two different experiences and I am very happy that he had a more positive experience.
However, do not let me misguide you. Homophobia and heterosexism do not need to be the verbally blatant acts that Mr. Mello refers to - they come in all shapes and sizes, blatant and discreet. Such is the case with my personal experience. It was not so much what went on in front of me, than behind my back. For me, the final straw was the exclusion. I have been asked to refer to a specific incident, but will refrain, as not to spark the proverbial "witch hunt." I apologize to members of the team who interpreted this comment as a call for a witch hunt. That was never its intent. The comment was made to answer a question about personal experience in regards to athletics. This was mine.
Secondly, it seems that I have also offended multiple people with my use of the word "hick" when referring to an ex's parents. The label "hick" was meant as something people could relate to. Although the stereotype may have been inappropriate, it is something that the audience I was speaking to could relate to and draw parallels, but this does not excuse my poor diction. It is obvious that stereotypes can be insulting no matter what group they are directed at, and it is up to all of us to think before we speak.
Finally, I would like to commend Kadeem Fyffe for putting together this forum in attempts to start a dialogue regarding GLBTQ life on campus and in general. But, at this point, from my perspective, it seems that conversation is focused on the wrong things. So in order to refocus, I ask you, whether you are GLBTQ, an Ally, or simply have a differing opinion on the GLBTQ life, please come to our next panel and pick our brains. We'll answer anything.
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