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Learning
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bly with all the pain that was in him, and I saw death coming into my life again. Two weeks later, the police came to my door to tell me Patrick Parsons had borrowed a friend's car and slammed it into a tree. He died in surgery. Alone. The ballet has established a scholarship fund in his memory.
In the past, I have written for the Chronicle under the pseudonym Joan Valentine. I write for Martha and Bob as a service to my community, not for pay, and I feel responsible for reporting facts accurately. I recall long nights spent reading books on AIDS and making overseas phone calls just to verify one detail of a story.
So now, I've returned to do graduate work at KSU, and found out it's okay to misrepresent facts and make discriminatory remarks as long as one is a student and learning.
During my interview with Tim Smith, faculty advisor to the Daily Kent Stater, I felt a strong reaction to his statement that Joe Cowley's remarks about Bernie Kosar got past the night editor, and Smith had no knowledge of it. I asked him about his role as advisor and who was responsible for quelling discriminatory remarks. He asked me if I were writing a story where I report events, or "just an attack on this paper." Smith saw my objectivity collapsing. So did I.
All week, I heard stories from 19 and 20year-old students about harassment on campus. I don't need to remind anyone what that's like. Those are the lessons being "learned" by KGLF students. I forgot how frightening it could be. Same old
December, 1990
story. Joe Cowley is the same old story. So is Phil Trexler. Ignorant neighborhood bullies. The problem is, they want to grow up to be professional journalists.
Their ignorance compelled two colleagues to risk everything by coming out in the paper so the truth could be told. I feel it's only right that I do the same to support their decision to come out. I wonder if Cowley and Trexler could ever show as much courage as their fellow staffers.
Avowal
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Lori King has applied for managing editor at the Stater for spring semester. I wish her luck-tons of it. KSU has an antidiscrimination policy for sexual minorities. I want to have faith that she will be considered for her qualifications. She's definitely qualified and talented.
I don't know how Dr. Smith had the nerve to preach ethics to me when his paper prints the things it does, but he made it clear he will work with his students to
sexual orientation. Maybe everyone doesn't like being around gay people; maybe quite a few don't understand it; but that's no excuse to bash us, to berate us, to
tool to sanction an opinion with the blessbelittle us. ing of God.
For example, there is the frequently quoted verse in the book of Leviticus that says "if a man also lie with mankind... they shall surely be put to death." How many times has this been thrown in your face? Respond to the accuser, as he orders a ham sandwich, that the same book also states you cannot eat pork.
The death penalty is suggested in the Bible for several things, including activity on the Sabbath. Should your Biblepreacher be killed after she shops at the mall on Sunday? Clearly these laws and admonitions of old are changing with the times; all but the most orthodox Jews accept that. Don't let a few outdated references in the Bible, spoken by homophobic and self-conscious people, condemn you for who you are.
We applaud the work being done by the administration and the Interhall Council at Kent State to maintain the rights of a minority-which just happens to be one of
As gay men and lesbians we are a minority; we need to claim our birthright. We must announce the fact that we are a minority. By letting people tell us what we are (referring to our orientation as sexual "preference"), we lose our identity and also let them call the shots. Homosexual acts have always been, and continue to be natural...that is, a part of nature; there are volumes of scientific research on the subject, studying animals and humans.
It is our job to (1) learn about our special place in history, (2) learn about those who came before us, and (3) see that we are an unusual but consistent part of nature. Then it is our job to educate the majority. They won't understand us, much less accept us, unless and until we tell them. It's not easy; it's not something to be done overnight. It's a life-long process for most of us. But it is necessary.
Use the Christmas spirit of love, peace on earth and goodwill to your advantage. Now is the time to demand that you be
prevent this from happening again. I'll admit he helped me, too. Unlike his reporters, I made sure I had the facts. But if I stumbled for a moment, Dr. Smith, please forgive me. I'm still learning.
Joan Rizzo is a free-lance writer and graduate student at Kent State. Shortly after she wrote this article, her musician friend who was in the hospital died.
loved for who you are. Make this your most important New Year's resolution.
And, by the way, in a tremendous spirit of love, the staff of the Chronicle wishes all our readers a safe and joyous holiday season.▼
Living Room burglarized
On November 20, the Living Room, a drop in center for the HIV challenged, was broken into during the early morning hours.
According to Center services director Aubrey Wertheim, the front door was forced, and a stereo system valued at roughly $200 was taken. No other items were missing, and police have no suspects.
The stereo, which was donated, was used by Living Room clients to listen to meditation and healing tapes. The Living Room is asking anyone who has a tape deck, receiver or speakers that they can donate to replace the stolen ones, to please call Kyle or Sharon at 522-1198 ▼
Kent
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it. Neither was present when the column was laid out, and the editors who approved it for publication have been reprimanded.
KGLF issued a statement to the Chronicle, citing the need to provide educational services to students with questions about sexuality. It also explains that "Blue Jeans Day" is meant to raise consciousness about coming out and homophobia: "The minor discomfort of being seen in blue jeans is nothing compared to this fear of harassment and intimidation."
As a student in health education and counseling, KGLF president Jesse Grant is appalled at the inaccuracies in Trexler's editorial. He doesn't buy the explanation that the Stater is not responsible for Trexler's misinforming students about AIDS. Grant declined to discuss the assault case due to concerns about his safety. He's been attacked three times this semester at Kent. A spokeswoman for KSU's Affirmative Action Office would not confirm or deny KGLF has filed charges with her agency. She cited the need to maintain confidentiality and protect the rights of the students involved. "Our responsibility is to investigate complaints, and the University's antidiscrimination policy includes sexual orientation. Students who file complaints receive copies from our office." KGLF members showed their copies to the Chronicle.
Kent Interhall Council (KIC) held a hearing for a resolution condemning Cowley's conduct. During the hearing, a student from the audience came forward to defend Cowley, saying Kosar "really did play like a faggot in that game." The resolution was voted down.
Lori King, a reporter for the Stater and a past president of KGLF, spoke to the KIC about the need to condemn derogatory statements about sexual and political minorities as much as they would criticize racist remarks. The council voted again and passed the resolution to have the Stater print educational articles about sexual diversity.
Kelley also ordered Cowley to meet with KGLF. When Grant suggested they meet in the KGLF office, Cowley insisted
they meet in student senate chambers instead. According to Grant, thirty "friends" accompanied Cowley and badgered KGLF members the for entire one-hour session.
On November 13, the Stater published three editorials, one by Lori King, urging students and faculty to take a stand against homophopbic attitudes. KGLF treasurer Chris VanDenBerge told the Chronicle that pervasive intolerance of minorities among students is an important reason why students and faculty are reluctant to come
Viewpoints
paper made "a very grave mistake in running the articles."
When asked why the columns appeared in the Stater, Timothy Smith replied, "They are students. They are learning, and in the process they make mistakes. In this case, they did." In response to threats against KGLF, Smith said, "Things like that happen because people are ignorant, and that is most unfortunate."
Blue jeans Viewpoints
Many people wore blue jeans last Thursday, unaware that their appearance was say. ing something more than usual. Wearing blue jeans, of all things, showed your sur port for a homosexual coming out of th closet.
JOKSU
type:
tatement
10 KSU
had they known, it would not have been published. According to Smith, "In a racial context, I don;t think anybody would have trouble understanding why that sort of language is unacceptable, but in a homosexual context, people tend to have trouble understanding why anybody would be
(type in")
Blue jeans don't make a statement
Many people wore blue jeans last Thursday, unaware that their appearance was say-
Makes me wonder how many people we ing something more than usual. Wearing tion should have just picked underwea port for a homosexual coming out of the The Kent State Gay and Lesbian Foun blue jeans, of all things, showed your sup-
home and changed clothes.
they're seeking universal appeal and port. Most people still wear them, I hear.
closet.
Makes me wonder how many people went
The blue jean idea is comparable to e home and changed clothes.
ronmentalists telling us to breathe to :
The Kent State Gay and Lesbian Founda-
our support for the environment. Ever tion should have just picked underwear if
Phil
Trexler
the virus thrives with their complicity and nondiscriminatory affront.
"The one thing the media does not want to say, because it fears of being labeled 'judgmental,' is that AIDS was launched by the promiscuous behavior of a subculture of homosexual and bisexual men who engaged in frequent and indiscriminate anal intercourse with other men," wrote Cal Thomas. a columnist for the Los Angeles Times syn Thomas explains, "most politicians fear the clout of homosexuals and are afraid to
breathes and almost everyone wears they're seeking universal appeal and supfounders of the AIDS epidemic now dicatc. on a college campus. KOLF's atter port. Most people still wear them, I hear.
symbolism was symbolically lacking
lustration.
The blue jean idea is comparable to envi-
spreading throughout the country. The media opts to give larger play to the inno-
The men and women in their Levi's won't Anywhere from 1.5 to 4 million people like hearing this, and the word "narrow-
It isn't popular to criticize gays," ronmentalists telling us to breathe to show cent bystanders like children and women. tell them to stop what causes the disease." homophobic," they cry. It isn't an Our support for the environment. Everyone OK, but let's tell the whole story. criticizing them in print either, and breathes and almost everyone wears jeans really does. Maybe that's the probler on a college campus. KGLF's attempt at may be carrying the deadly disease today, a minded" will be spoken. Sexual preference The media continues to downplay symbolism was symbolically lacking in ildiscase introduced by the gay community is a personal decision. Fine, keep it there.
that, like it or not, male homosexus lustration.
It isn't popular to criticize gays. "You're homophobic," they cry. It isn't any easier criticizing them in print either, and nobody really does. Maybe that's the problem. The media continues to downplay the fact that, like it or not, male homosexuals are the
out at KSU. He estimates 2,500 gays and lesbians attend Kent State, while "an average of 30 students attend weekly KGLF meetings."
Matt Kelley has come under fire at KSU for keeping Cowley on the staff. He maintains the pro-gay editorials of November 13 were not attempts to cover any tracks: "We heard about KGLF members being harassed and wanted to go on record as opposing discrimination. He admitted the
and passed down through prostitutes and But when that preference endangers the The media can no longer hide in its own drag abusers. And the unnatural behavior of lives of all of us, something must change. The national media, with all of its incloset and be sensitive toward, and almost male homosexuals perpetuates the dying. Trexler is a Stater staff writer. His herent powers of influence, has done a softpromote, a lifestyle that kills. shoe on an issue it could alter. Instead, the powers condone the very behavior for which columns appear Wednesday.
As the advisor to the Stater, Smith said he has the authority "to prevent publication of anything that could be considered libelous. My job is not to censor what goes into the newspaper, nor do I control its content. Had I known about Cowley's remark, I would have requested that the editor take it out. I think the suspension was appropriate in terms of punishment for unprofessional conduct."
How the remark got into the paper is another matter. Smith and Kelley deny knowing about it, and both contend that
n doing,
trying to explain that to people." Smith disapproved of Trexler's editorial, which was full of misinformation about AIDS, calling it "unprofessional," but contends both students "were running a column and had the right to espouse their point of view."
Joe Cowley and Phil Trexler continue to write for the Daily Kent Stater. They could not be reached for comment. Matt Kelley's term as managing editor expires this month, at which time a new editor will take the helm and hire a new staff for spring
semester.