Dear Editor,

Once again I am disheartened and ashamed of the negative attitude of SMU students to the subject of gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issues.

A gay man during my years at SMU (’73-’76), fear of reprisal keep me “closeted” all those years. At one point, some brave souls tried to start a gay association called SMUGA. Considered a joke by many on campus, the more macho types announced they would watch the door to the first meeting to “spot the queers.” The organization did not come about.

While some Humanities teachers back then tried to teach about all types of people, some assigned their classes to patronize a gay bar while not providing the proper context. These cases were similar to being told to go observe animals in the zoo. There were other closeted individuals in the SMU community, including members of my fraternity (in which a number of my brothers in the same situation never told anyone of their “secret”) and the son of a very adored and revered former Chancellor. Surely such a beloved figure on campus unconditionally loved his gay son.

While more enlightened straight students have joined gay-straight alliances on the high school level, there is a still a long way to go on campus toward inclusive tolerance and acceptance of people whose very lives are at risk by condoned homophobic behavior. And to be sure, any special class argument against a senate seat disguises more unabashed prejudice.

–Bob Meyer

B.A., B.F.A. ’76