As American University celebrates National Coming Out Week (October 11-18), I thought it would be appropriate to write about the campus climate for "coming out" as being gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) at AU. Does AU provide the "safe space" necessary in order to affirm the lives of those struggling to come out?

Looking first at the residence halls, our "homes" at AU, I feel that both the Residential Life staff and the RHA officers attempt to provide as safe an environment as possible to GLB students. If you look at our classes, they tend to be inclusive of GLB issues. The Sexual Minority Resource Center, located on the Fourth Floor of Butler Pavilion, is supported by University funds.

After examining these portions of AU it seems the environment of our campus is one supportive and affirming to young GLB students. And in many ways it is. This does not account for all areas of our college life. The part of college we are supposed to remember forever -- the social side -- is just as important as where we live or what we study. As on many campuses, a large part of that social life is dictated by the Greek community. Fraternities and sororities are in many ways essential to the formation of a true "campus community."

I came to AU with many of the common preconceptions and stereotypes of American culture regarding fraternities. The Greeks were not an important interest in my life, but groups I always saw around campus. Sure, I made fun of their jersey nicknames, but at the same time, as a young gay man, there remained a part of me in fear of the fraternities� "brotherhood." In my next two years I gained a lot of respect for the service, community, and spirit created by AU�s social fraternities. Greek organizations have been lucky enough to claim some of AU�s most charismatic, innovative, and dedicated men and women. They are an invaluable part of our campus community and they have the potential to bring our community together.

Unfortunately, along with my many positive views of Greek organizations, I also feel that fraternities are the most blatantly homophobic and heterosexist cultures on our campus. Although I don�t have first-hand knowledge about sororities, that doesn�t mean that stereotypes and homophobia don�t exist within these communities as well. For all of their talk of growth and integrity, these organizations have been the least receptive to discussions about and acceptance of homosexuality. Even AU�s College Republicans have had an openly gay member on their Executive Board, but the Greek community has not. I do not believe that there is even one openly gay man on the Greek governing boards, from the Inter-Fraternity Council to each individual chapter. To my knowledge, in fact, there is not one openly gay fraternity member on this campus. Even on AU�s "liberal campus" the Greek system remains a haven for stereotypes and misconceptions about gays and lesbians.

Just this year, an openly gay friend of mine was interested in joining a fraternity. His interest was cut short, however, when the fraternity decided to not give him a bid. Last year, during my campaign for Student Confederation President, I was repeatedly told by my friends in fraternities that many Greeks had a problem with the fact that I was openly gay, and that some were considering attacking me on the basis of my sexuality. Myself and others in the leadership of Students for Healthy Decisions were, in the Letters to the Editor section of The Eagle last year, determined by a fraternity president to be "militant gays and lesbians" simply because we provide the campus with AIDS education, which he deemed "an absurd concept."

These issues affect the campus community at large. Just last week an openly lesbian friend of mine expressed her concern about how fraternity members would react if she attended their party. If she, my friend who rushed, and myself have been so impacted by this homophobia from outside of the Greek system, I cannot even begin to imagine the pain of those within the system. I imagine closeted gay fraternity and sorority members feel crushed by the statements and actions of their brothers and sisters. Such homophobia contributes to the fact that the suicide rate of gay students is between three and five times that of the national student suicide rate. The Greek system allows closeted members to feel that coming out would be a disgrace to their chapter. This intolerance also affects those Greeks who have gay parents, gay friends, or those simply open to the idea of an inclusive community. The Greeks who espouse this homophobia are not only doing AU a disservice, but they are also hurting their own brothers and sisters. Why does this hatred and intolerance continue in 1997?

Perhaps it�s tradition. Fraternities have historically been that place where "men can be men." But what does that mean? Does that mean hurting your friends -- your brothers? How does being gay somehow make you less of a man? What qualities do we consider essential to "manhood?" Respect for women, high regard for friendships, honesty, trust, integrity -- all of these important traits seem to be just as capable for us gay men as they are for straight men.

Perhaps then it�s image. I mean, who would want to be a part of the fraternity with the "queer" in it? If that�s the case, then all of the respect I gained for fraternities over the past two years is gone. I think the men and women of AU would respect the Greek system more if we felt that fraternities and sororities truly did represent the students of AU. Not accepting gay, lesbian, and bisexual students does not send any positive message to AU. In fact, it sends a very negative message of exclusivity and heterosexism.

Perhaps it�s just ignorance and the Greek system honestly does not understand how their actions affect GLB students...brothers...sisters. Since the Greek community governs itself, it is not held accountable for these actions of heterosexism and homophobia. It is time for some accountability.

As I stated earlier, AU is celebrating this week as National Coming Out Week. I challenge each and every fraternity and sorority member on this campus, as well as all of the non-Greek students to educate yourselves. I have met several fraternity and sorority members, in addition to many others, who are very supportive and knowledgeable about gay, lesbian, and bisexual issues. Talk to these people. Inform yourselves. Think about what you say to your friends, and think about your actions. When you call someone a "fag," or when you talk negatively about gays and lesbians, remember that not all of us are "out." Your best friend may be going through the most difficult part of his or her life, determining whether or not he or she has your support. And whether it�s your chapter, your floor, your class, or whatever, that friend is listening. And they remember what you said. And your words hurt.

Think about it.

Please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] with your opinion about this editorial.