The Sexual Orientation at Rhodes
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The sexual orientation at rhodes Go to Stax for the most gilded, furry Caddy of all ou’wester time. See Page 7 SOctober 8, 2008 e Weekly Student Newspaper of Rhodes College Vol. XCV. NO. 5 Do GLBTQ students feel comfortable on campus? By Daniel Jacobs them that were really mean simply be- said Ross. “ at what they say, even if Editor-in-Chief cause they might be or they might ap- they’re joking or not serious, still has When it comes to homosexuality, pear to be gay or lesbian.” weight. And that goes beyond those Rhodes College is not an open place, A 2003 survey by the National phrases like ‘that’s so gay,’ and into how but it is by no means closed. Gay and Lesbian Task Force of GLBT they approach subjects or other words In recent years the situation on students, faculty and staff at 14 colleges they use. I think there is still that feel- campus has improved for gay, lesbian, across the country found that a fi fth of ing on campus that homosexuality or bisexual and transgender (GLBT) those surveyed feared for their physi- any kind of diff ering sexuality is some- students. Over the past two years the cal safety in the last year due to their thing weird or unnatural or not okay, Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) has in- sexual orientation or gender identity, and I think that feeling makes Rhodes creased its average attendance at meet- and that 36% of GLBT undergraduate inhospitable and not an easy place to ings from fi ve students to around 25 students said they had been harassed. be if you identify as GLBT.” students, and as part of the push for An incident of harassment oc- But students are also positive diversity on campus the administra- curred last week at Rhodes when un- about conditions on campus for GLBT tion is promoting events and initiatives Noelle Smith/The Sou’wester identifi ed students in the Williford students. that will make homosexual students Jennifer Ross, the Kinney GLBT Advocacy Organizer, sits with Dormitory used shaving cream to “I think it’s changed a lot. It’s feel more comfortable and encourage the leadership of the Gay-Straight Alliance. From left to right write the word “fag” in the fi rst fl oor more okay to be gay on campus,” said discussion about homosexuality. they are Erica Murrell, Matt Tamason, Julia Draper, and Jyo bathroom and on another student’s Julia Draper, a senior who is the co- But at the same time, students Carolino. message board. Ross described this as president of GSA. “I haven’t noticed interviewed for this article indicated the type of harassment that, while it any gay bullying. I know that some that the majority of GLBT students tional and unintentional. ere have accepting,” said Jennifer Ross, the is not directed specifi cally at gay stu- GSA signs get ripped down but all on campus prefer to keep their sexual also been reports of GSA signs being Kinney GLBT Advocacy Organizer. dents, makes the campus feel less com- the ones I’ve noticed have been pieced identity private, and some GLBT stu- destroyed. “ at’s not to say that it’s perfect. I’ve fortable for GLBT students. back together and put back up.” dents describe continued low-level “I do think the feeling on campus heard a lot of things from students “I think that students need to verbal harassment that is both inten- has gotten more embracing and more where they felt things were said around realize that their words have power,” GLBT, continued on Page 4 New Gender and Sexuality Studies Program Safe Zone offers By NeNe Bafford fered in the Anthropology and Sociology depart- Staff Writer ment. sanctuary for students In the past month, the Women’s Studies Pro- By changing the name of the program, Haas gram has been changed to the Gender and Sexuality hope that students will be able to easily identify By Anna Meyerrose Studies Program. which courses are geared towards gay and lesbian Executive Assistant This change is in response to the fact that cur- studies. Safe Zone and programs like rently Rhodes offers no specific courses in any de- “I think it is definitely something that we really it can be found on various college partment that are directed towards gay and lesbian wanted to do,” said Haas. “It is going to take some and university campus across the studies. Judith Haas, the director of the Gender and time because we have to build the audience of stu- nation, and even at some high Sexuality Studies Program, thinks this change will dents that are interested in these courses, as well as schools. This program is available bring more inclusive courses. get faculty that know how to teach these courses.” to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- “We wanted to broaden the curriculum,” said Members of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) gender, intersex, and question- Haas. thinks that this is a positive move for the campus. ing/queer (LGBTIQ) students at Although the college does not offer specific “I think that it is an advancement because it Rhodes as well. These safe zones courses directed towards gay and lesbian studies, will open the minds of some students and homosex- are designed to provide safe, there are some departments that offer classes that uality won’t be so taboo,” said Sophomore Stephen comfortable, and easily accessible discuss the components of sexuality. Some classes Spainhour. “It is long overdue.” places for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, include Gender and Sexuality Studies 200 and 400, Bisexual, Transsexual) students Religious Studies 258, as well as other courses of- to go when they are in need of Gender and Sexuality Studies, continued on Page 5 someone to talk to, without fear of their sexuality being attacked. Domestic partner benefi ts for faculty Various safe zone counsel- Noelle Smith/The Sou’wester ors include professors, adminis- Pam Detrie, the Associate By William Bruce “I just felt that it was time, if McGeachy, Benefi ts manager. “My trators, and even some students Director of Student Counsel- News Editor not past time, to have a policy like response is that they, unlike same- (both heterosexual and bisex- ing, is the coordinator of the In October 2006, Rhodes this at Rhodes” said Drompp. sex couples in Tennessee, have the ual). Trained individuals, such Safe Zone program. changed its benefi t plan to include Some qualifi cations needed to option of getting married.” as these, display a recognizable the domestic partners of homosexu- recieve the benefi ts include: being When compared to a number “Safe Zone” logo outside of their another student” al professors. Previously only spous- at least 18 years of age, not being of other institutions in the Associ- office or dorm room doors so as All individuals that have un- es in heterosexual relationships were blood relatives, and residing togeth- ated Colleges of the South, Rhodes to make themselves available to dergone and completed the Safe eligible to receive the benefi ts. er for at least 12 months. In general, took a relatively long time to begin any and all LGBTIQ students. Zone program training are rec- e idea to provide domestic Martha McGeachy, benefi ts man- off ering domestic partner benefi ts. “It’s always helpful to have ognizable by the sticker. Part of partners with benefi ts was initially ager, has received good feedback on Both Davidson and Centre College someone to vent to,” said Jyo the Safe Zone training includes suggested to the Faculty Profession- partner benefi ts. started off ering domestic partner Carolino, a sophomore who is signing a contract committing al Interest Committee by Michael “I do have employees with benefi ts four to fi ve years ago, and Safe Zone certified and partici- to encourage a more accepting Drompp, who is now the Dean of opposite-sex partners who don’t Furman University and Hendrix pates in the Safe Zone program. environment amongst the entire the Faculty and Vice President of understand why the benefi t does Partner Benefi ts, continued on Page 5 “What you can’t discuss with Safe Zone, continued on Page 5 Academic Aff airs. not apply to them,” said Martha your friends you can discuss with Page 2 Opinion Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Brokaw raises the stakes at Belmont The By Paul Yacoubian munists, so stop victimizing the people ran the White House and Republicans ran Sou’wester Opinion Editor who led their companies into the toilet. Congress and everything was great. The quote of the night goes to McCa- Criticize the Americans that took out a John McCain reminded me of Andy Editor-In-Chief in: “My friends, we have gone to all four Rooney from 60 Minutes, always com- Daniel Jacobs corners of the Earth…” For those of legal plaining about something silly while Managing Editor age, I suggest a drinking game for the next breathing heavily. He would like you to Avery Pribila debate for McCain’s phrase “my friends.” “John McCain believe that everything is bad, the govern- News Editor Runner-up quote in the room goes to Kev- ment is to blame. I would agree; that seems William Bruce in, “Tom Brokaw’s voice could power this reminded me of reasonable, since we entrust our govern- Opinion Editor country.” ment with our money and lives. When we Paul Yacoubian The debate was just another discus- Andy Rooney from elect a president to lead the nation, we ex- Entertainment Editor sion of unspecified rhetoric. Unlike the pect that person to ask great things from Ralph MacDonald first debate, the two did not squabble over 60 Minutes, always the people.