February 24, 1998

Beth Bliss, Opinion Editor
 
 An informal panel discussion designed to  inform Appalachian State University students about life as a homosexual on campus was held last Thursday in the Plemmons Student Union.

 A panel of six gay, lesbian and bisexual students volunteered information about their lives and lifestyles  to approximately 50 students.

 The group began by delving into their pasts and talking about when they first "came out" and how their families reacted to their decisions.

 Megan Allee, a bisexual sophomore, said that coming out was easier because of her older sister's coming out as a lesbian.

 President of BGLAAD, Martha Palmer, said that she was not emotionally prepared for her coming out seven years ago.

 Don Melville, a 25 year old junior, came out at 19 years old and his family turned their backs on him and his lesbian twin sister.

 A bisexual senior, Ruth Gierisch said that her parents do not agree with her decision because of an extreme age difference between them.

 Twenty-two year old freshman Eric Thomas said that he had no negative feedback from his family when he came out.  Thomas said that his mother even tries to find boyfriends for him.

 James McClure, 22, said that his parents accepted his coming out, but his brother is still having a difficult time with it.

 The audience received index cards at the beginning of the discussion to write questions for the panel to answer.

 Questions from the audience ranged from questions about coming out, to church support, homophobia on campus and if the members of the panel could be born again straight.

 The panel took turns answering questions based on their experience on the varied topics.

 On the topic of coming out, the panel came to the consensus that it is safer for females to come out than for men.

 According to Allee, it is easier to come out to old friends more than new ones.

 "With old friends, there is more support to build upon," she said.

 Melville discussed the church's support of his decision.

 "I felt comfortable being gay and being a Christian," said Melville.

"When my family turned their backs on me, the church took me in and got me back on my feet," Melville said.

"I just try to remember 'Judge not lest thou be judged'," he said.

 When asked if they could be born again straight, the panel greeted the topic with mixed opinions.

 "I would, because my life would turn a complete 180 degrees if I was straight," said Thomas.

 Gierisch spoke from the bisexual point of view on being straight, "I would be gay or straight because bisexuals receive a lot of animosity for straddling the fence," she said.

 "I wouldn't change," said McClure.  "Being black and gay, it has helped me to learn compassion and to find myself," he said.

 Addressing homophobia on campus, the panel did not have total agreement.

 "Even though there is a lot of homophobia, the support I received on campus has been invisible support," said Palmer.

 "What I find most frustrating about this campus is that people cry out for diversity, but when it comes they take arms against it," said Thomas.
 
 Another panel discussion will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Multicultural Center of the Plemmons Student Union.

 Audience members will hear from gay couples who have been "out there" for years.
 
 
 
 
 

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