Outloud Magazine by Student Media George Mason University

OUTLOUD MAGAZINE

WE IN MASON’S OFFICE OF LGBTQ RESOURCES

envision a campus community where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-nonconforming, intersex, queer, same-gender-loving, questioning people and our allies are fully included, welcomed, and treated with equity in every respect; and where people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are free to successfully live, love and learn without fear, hate, or intolerance. LGBTQ Resources applauds the debut of Outloud Magazine, one more great step Mason takes toward this vision, through this first-ever student-run publication exploring and celebrating aspects of our complex

LGBTQ community. We encourage readers to view this step as an exciting learning opportunity for all involved: please read to learn from the stories that are told here, look to see the lives and experiences reflected here, and ask ourselves whose stories are not yet being told. Exploring Mason’s LGBTQ community is not simple, but with Outloud Magazine as one more example, it is cause for celebration. Congratulations to Outloud Magazine from LGBTQ Resources!

Ric Chollar

Associate Director of LBGTQ Resources

Student/Alumni Organizations

LGBTQ RESOURCES Location: SUB I, Room 2200 Phone: 703. 993.2702 Fax: 703.993.4022 Hours:

9:00am - 5:00pm, M-F

Contact: Ric Chollar at 703.993.2702 or e-mail:rchollar@gmu.edu Website: http://lgbtq.gmu.edu

Pride Alliance

Email: pride@gmu.edu Website: http://pride.gmu.edu

stand OUT:

Email: standoutmason@gmail.com Website: www.wix.com/standoutmason/standout2

GALLA Law Students Association

Email: GALLA@yahoogroups.com Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GALLA

Grad Pride

Email: GradPrideMason@gmail.com Website: http://groups.google.com/group/gradpride

Lambda Alumni Chapter

Email: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GMULambdaAlumni/ Join: the Lambda Alumni listserv: GMULambdaAlumnisubscribe@yahoogroups.com

CONTENTS CONTENTS

Integration of Edu"Gay"tion Integration of Edu"Gay"tion REGAN FALLON REGAN FALLON

66 88 10 10

the closet SteppingStepping out theoutcloset MASON O'SULLIVAN MASON O'SULLIVAN

the Middle CaughtCaught in the inMiddle

ELSA VANDE ELSA VANDE VEGTEVEGTE

up to out stand out step upstep to stand ZACH EISENSTEIN ZACH EISENSTEIN

12 12

Monster's Monster's Ball Ball

DYLAN JOHNSON DYLAN JOHNSON

14 14

in "Trans"lation Lost inLost "Trans"lation QUINCEY SMITH QUINCEY SMITH

16 16

Beingin gay Being gay the in the professional professional worldworld GLEASON ROWE GLEASON ROWE

18 18

Leading by example LeadingKAT by example DAYTON KAT DAYTON

18 18 20 20

Who'sWho's AfraidAfraid of theof the Big Bad Fag Big Bad Fag Hag? Hag? KATIE MILLER KATIE MILLER

Straight Not Narrow Straight Not Narrow ANGELIKA ANGELIKA ALBALADEJO ALBALADEJO

26 26

The Sharing Experience The Sharing Experience RAMY ZABARAH RAMY ZABARAH

OUT/ LOUD

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the inaugural issue of Outloud Magazine, a publication celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and ally community at George Mason University. Outloud Magazine encourages the LGBTQ community to be out and loud for the world to see and respect. As Harvey Milk once said: “We will not win our rights by staying silently in our closets...We are coming out. We are coming out to fight the lies, the myths, the distortions. We are coming out to tell the truth…for I am tired of the conspiracy of silence, so I’m going to talk about it. And I want you to talk about it.” The magazine talks, loudly, about a lot of subjects and aims to bring awareness to issues and concepts that remain in the closet. I’m so proud of the growth and strength that has been made in the LGBTQ community since my freshman year. Having a drag queen be named Ms. Mason was an amazing feat; having a Phelps-A-Thon that defended our campus from the protests of the Westboro Baptist Church was an amazing feat; and the Board of Visitors standing up to the State Attorney General to defend the LGBTQ community was an amazing feat. From the popularity of the drag show to the visibility of the community as you walk across campus, the LGBTQ community is an important aspect and component of Mason that continues to gain respect and value. Our generation is filled with so many leaders and strong individuals who are committed to the principle that all people are created equal. Major accomplishments have been made recently, but there remains a fight for further equality. The community still has room to mature and strengthen, but as we do this, we cannot allow ourselves to faction and become each other’s enemies. Regardless of the degree of activism or the tactic employed, it is important to remember that we all want the same thing: equality and respect. Only together will we truly succeed and change lives. Outloud Magazine wants you to learn, wants you to think, and most importantly, wants you to talk about it. Peace. Love. Equality. Quincey Smith Editor-In-Chief Outloud Magazine

HEY DOWN HERE!

THE STATISTICAL RESULTS THROUGHOUT OUTLOUD MAGAZINE ARE BASED ON A SURVEY TAKEN BY 300 MASON STUDENTS. THE SURVEY WAS DESIGNED, DISTRIBUTED, AND ORGANIZED THROUGH THE OFFICE OF STUDENT MEDIA BY DANIELLE OHRENBERGER.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Student Media Director Kathryn Mangus who has been extremely supportive and patient throughout the entire production. Dan Waxman for his continued help and support. Scott Miller for his advertising efforts. Jacques Mouyal for his work. Carey Jordan for being my partner in crime from the very beginning. Ric Chollar for his guidance, support, and dedication to the LGBTQ community at Mason. Peter Pober for being a mentor and an incredible friend. The GMU Forensic team for helping me in anyway possible and always being a family filled with love and encouragement. Katie and Kat for being the best friends I could ever ask for and always encouraging me to be out, loud and proud. I love you both with all of my heart. The models: Justin Ross, Sachi Barstein, Dylan Johnson, Mike Lynch, Carey Jordan, Zach Eisenstein, Jon Tyree, Jeff Moscaritolo, Andrew Casasanta, Harold Cartier

CONTRIBUTORS

Angelika Albaladejo Junior, Global Affairs “The fight for LGBTQ equality is one we all should be a part of.”

Kat Dayton

Sean O’Brien

Gleason Rowe

Ramy Zabarah

Senior, Government and International Politics

Senior, Integrative Studies

Director of Photography Sophomore, Geography and Communication

Senior, Global Affairs and Spanish

Junior, Communication

“We’re here; we’re queer; and we’d love to sit down and have an adult conversation on why you should get used to it.”

“Equality does not discriminate, so why should we?”

“Equality isn’t negotiable.”

“Sexual orientation is impertinent to character and ability.”

Dylan Johnson

“If LGBTQ issues aren’t in the forefront of the political discussion as a whole, then where is the justice and equality I’ve grown up associating my country with?”

Katie Miller

Quincey Smith

Elsa Vande Vegte

Zach Eisenstein

Danielle Ohrenberger

Carey Jordan

Copy Editor Senior, Anthropology

Editor-In-Chief Senior, Communication

Sophomore, Philosophy

Freshman, Communication

Sophomore, Communication

“Marriage is neither gay nor straight. It’s about love, and love should be for every one.”

“Equality can not be something that exists only sometimes.”

Graphic Designer Junior, Fine Arts “Overcoming our differences will lead to a better future”

“Sexuality is not black and white. It’s everything in between.”

“Don’t just preach equality, practice it.”

“Equality can be reality”

"Neither love nor terror makes one blind: indifference makes one blind." For twenty years we have

been committed to courses

Regan Fallon

Mason O’Sullivan

Senior, Communication

Junior, Film & Video Studies and Theater

“It’s a rainbow for a reason—no color is left out.”

“If homosexuality is a disease, let’s all call in queer to work, “Hello. Can’t work today, still queer.”

and programs that feature the peoples, traditions, institutions, and histories of the African Diaspora. In the presentation of the many lives our faculty highlight and students study, such as civil rights and gay rights activist, James Baldwin (d. 1984), it's understood that justice for all is a shared responsibility.

CIVIL UNIONS: 71% APPROVE 11% DISAPPROVE 18% INDIFFERENT

EXPLORING LGBTQ CURRICULUM IN COLLEGE

M SON’S COURSES As George Mason University has continued to evolve as an institution the LGBTQ presence has grown with it. In 2009, we famously elected a drag queen as our homecoming queen, and now, Mason offers a minor in LGBTQ studies. But as our university continues to grow in both size and prestige, it becomes even more vital that we give LGBTQ curriculum a more thorough examination. It is through this lens we can improve understanding and promote equality on our campus, continuing our legacy of being one of the most progressive universities in America.

One of the largest problems universities face is incorporating LGBTQ studies into current curriculum. One of the largest problems universities face is incorporating LGBTQ studies into current curriculum. Where and how does it fit? The answer: Everywhere. The truth is LGBTQ studies shouldn’t just be constrained to a minor under Women’s Studies (WMST) with very limited class options. Sure, it is a triumph that we are one of the few universities in the nation to even offer a minor degree in this area; however LGBTQ isn’t an isolated field. It should have its own degree (and even its own department) for those pursuing expertise in that field. But for now, LGBTQ issues and information need to be present throughout everyone’s educational experience. When a seamless inclusion of all students is threaded into the educational environment, it creates a “safe-zone,” says Kyle Lafferty, Program Director in HIV Education for The Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education and adjunct professor at Mason. “Language and assumptions are key,” Lafferty explains. She suggests using gender-neutral terms in mathematics examples, and utilizing a comprehensive examination of historical figures and literature. This allows students to not only learn about the history of this group, but also the normalcy of it. LGBTQ curriculum needs to be incorporated into 100 and 200 level courses that every degree-seeking student takes whether it’s history, math, english, music or communication. It’s very simple: use examples of nonheteronormative couples in Interpersonal Communication classes; incorporate in Music courses the LGBTQ individuals and allies who have shaped popular music in america; and

include literature written by and about LGBTQ experiences. New Century College (NCC) appears to embrace this sentiment. Suzanne Scott, Director and Associate Professor for NCC explains beginning freshman year all of the courses are infused with a strong social justice attitude. Scott also teaches courses in the Women and Gender Studies Department. Currently, she teaches “Art of Resistance” which examines the struggles of all marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ community. When asked why NCC and WMST seem to be the only areas on campus to offer courses that provide a holistic approach to a given subject, Scott attributes a combination of several different aspects. One of which she explains is the mere fact that both departments have openly gay faculty. Other aspects include the fact that NCC offers small, personalized class sizes. Professors are very hands-on and gain a personal relationship with their students. However, comprehensive education should not be compromised due to class size. She concludes all marginalized groups should have a voice in the material no matter their race, religion, or sexual orientation. As Scott puts it, “It’s not as though we want to do away with mainstream culture or heterosexuality, but it’s creating room for the queer perspective.”

NEW CENTURY COLLEGE OFFERS A VARIETY OF COURSES THAT INCORPORATE LGBTQ ISSUES AND THEMES INTO THE CURRICULUM. A FEW ARE LISTED BELOW. NCLC 101 Narratives of Identity NCLC 275 Visual Culture and Society NCLC 275 Breaking Gender Barriers NCLC 304 Social Movements and Community Activism NCLC 347 Gender Representation in Popular Culture NCLC 320 Construction of Differences: Race, Class, and Gender NCLC 317 Issues in Family Relationships NCLC 381 When Cultural Worlds Collide NCLC 375 Art as Social Action NCLC 375 Gender Representation in Popular Culture NCLC 475 AIDS: Impact on Society NCLC 475 Forgiveness & Reconciliation in Divided Communities

Your 20’s are a time to learn, gain new perspectives, and define yourself as an adult. Our university is the home to new and different cultures, beliefs, and ideas. But how can we truly be learning if we aren’t challenging ourselves—forcing ourselves to examine every subject through various lenses. You don’t have to agree with another person’s lifestyle choice—heck they probably don’t agree with yours. However, respect should not be a request, but a command.

THE COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES’ DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN AND GENDER STUDIES OFFERS LGBTQ EXCLUSIVE COURSES AS WELL AS COURSES THAT INCLUDE LGBTQ ISSUES.

Integrating such curriculum makes the learning experience equal, fair and relevant to all participants. Mostly, it educates those individuals who may be inadvertently ignorant towards the LGBTQ community. By inundating our everyday courses—no matter the course— with gender-neutral terms, comprehensive rather than politically correct historical examples and material, we can make acceptance as effortless as breathing.

WMST 302 Cultural Construction of Sexualities

Gay is not a new thing. And it’s not going away. So rather than simply wave our rainbow flags for special occasions, let’s embrace the queens and kings that have changed our history, inspired our language, and influenced our music, every day of the week.

WMST 308 Intro to LGBTQ studies WMST 300 Current Issues in Women and Gender Studies WMST 301 Sex and Gender in Contemporary Society

WMST 306 Topics in Communication and Gender WMST 402 Queer Theory HEAL 325 Aspects of Human Sexuality US Universities that offer LGBTQ majors: Wesleyan College, University of Chicago, Brown University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, York University, University of Toronto, Miami University (Ohio) This class list is not completely exhaustive. Departments change classes they offer each semester so new classes may be offered in the future as well as some of these classes may

REGAN FALLON

not be offered anymore.

OUTLOUD

oming out has become a term marking a turning point for someone in the LGBTQ community. If you Google “coming out,” you get about seven and a half million results, the first of which being Wiki’s definition: “a figure of speech for...LGBTQ people’s disclosure of their sexual identity.” While being gay is part of my identity, I see it more as liberation than a statement of fact. I grew up in southern Virginia where being gay is about as popular as overalls at a black-tie affair. In this environment, I was simply not in a place, physically or mentally, where I was comfortable exploring my sexuality. It’s safe to say that my longest running role as an actor was being straight for eighteen years, or at least trying to be. Something just didn’t fit: I was always standing out; wanting to be on stage; dressing well; and caring much more for my hygiene than most guys at my school. Once I came to George Mason University, however, I realized high school was just a thin veil that I was holding over my eyes. Once the veil was released I was given the freedom to be whoever I wanted to be. It took me awhile to get use to this newfound freedom, and it wasn’t until second semester of my freshman year that I decided I could finally embrace this freedom. I guess after being stuck in one direction, a straight direction if you will, it was hard to get used to molding who I was without constraints. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was at a frat party with some close friends and roommates from my dorm. The fraternity will remain nameless, but, bro, the jungle juice was not up to par. Anyways, I was with my friend Ashley, and I could tell she, along with my other friends, had suspected my sexuality for a while. So I decided it was time. She and I tipsily made our way over to a huge storage closet (ironic, I know), and I laid it all out. She then gave me one of the biggest hugs of my life, and it was then that I knew I was on track to becoming who I had been trying to be all of my life.

it was like being nominated for an Oscar. I was just so excited to start this new chapter that I had to tell everyone, even the cashier at Ike’s, and by the way she gave me free fries after that. Respect! Freshman year was not only the year that brought me that liberation, but also led me to meet one of my closest friends to this day. He was from my hometown; and although he had come out in high school, he was also liberated by the amount of acceptance Mason had to offer. I had never had a gay friend before, and there I found myself opened up to a whole other world I never even knew about. Especially now, with all of the various LGBTQ organizations on campus, and the widespread respect for our struggle for equal rights within the Mason community and District, it is a time of immense opportunity and growth for those that are new to this world, just like I was those three years ago take advantage of it. Find those close friends that lift you up. And lift any veils keeping you from being who you are. It’s your life, live it to its fullest. You deserve nothing less.

ONCE THE VEIL WAS RELEASED, I WAS GIVEN THE FREEDOM TO BE WHOEVER I WANTED TO BE.

Let me be clear, coming out is an extremely personal and intimate journey. I have shared my experience, but any individual’s coming out will inevitably be very different and unique. Coming out requires an immense amount of personal strength and confidence. Nobody should rush or pressure others to come out. This experience should be empowering to the individual who is coming out, which requires Now, three years later, I look back on it, and complete control on the behalf of that indiI see just how much irony was involved with that story. Namely, coming out while still in a vidual. Only then does coming out gain the respect that is deserved, and if you are lucky, closet, but everyone has to choose their way, and that’s the beauty of coming out: it’s about free fries from Ike’s. you, and no one else. After the initial outing, MASON O’SULLIVAN

STEPP

ING

OUT

T E S O L C E OF TH OUTLOUD

CAUG

THE MI IN THE FIRST GRADE, I BEGAN TO HAVE “CRUSHES.” THE FIRST WAS ON A BOY NAMED AARON. OH, HOW I ADORED THAT LISP, HIS PERPETUALLY SNOTTY BUTTON-NOSE, AND HIS ABILITY TO EAT MORE GLUE THAN ANYONE I KNEW. We were destined to have a long and happy existence together, or at least we were, until one day he viciously pulled my hair during recess. Replacing Aaron as my first-grade infatuation was Gumby, that loveable little green humanoid. Gumby, unlike Aaron, could not pull my hair (for he had no fingers to do so), and he had his own horse. For months, I fantasized about Gumby coming to whisk me away from my taxing seven-year-old life;

together, we would ride Pokey into a claymation sunset, never to be seen or heard from again. Yet, impatient, as many children are, I grew tired of waiting for Gumby and moved on once again. The subsequent subject of my desire differed immensely from Gumby and Aaron for one sole reason: she was, well, a she. For the remainder of my first-grade year, I was smitten with a girl named Heather. As I’ve grown older, I’ve ceased to have crushes on clay people, but my attraction to both men and women remains. I am a bi-sexual. As an adolescent, I had no need to identify my sexuality. Getting my braces taken off was of bigger concern to me than my sexual preferences. Still, even in my youth, I could sense that being attracted to both genders was atypical. It was not until high-school, when I finally verbalized this attraction to both genders, that I truly realized just how atypical it was. Not only did my straight peers question the legitimacy of my bisexuality, but even the gay and lesbian community at my school told me I was confused and closeted. I

remember one student specifically telling me, “I thought I was bisexual, too. Then I realized I was just afraid.” As the years have passed, I’ve recognized that I am indeed afraid, but not of a looming homosexual fate. I am afraid of going the rest of my life being told my bisexuality isn’t real. This seemingly universal irreverence of bisexuality leaves those who identify as such feeling detached, isolated, and confused. The notion that people who claim bisexuality are usually homosexual, but are ambivalent about their homosexuality is detrimental to the support and respect of bisexuality. Even gays and lesbians suggest that bisexuals are simply “going through a phase.” If the bisexuals of the world cannot even turn to their gay and lesbian peers for support, to whom can we turn? The answer remains within us. Bisexuals everywhere are building a close community of encouragement and acceptance. In the United States, BiNet is the fastest growing voice of every gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, pansexual, and “in-between” person in America.

GHT IN

IDDLE LEGITIMIZING BISEXUALITY

The organization facilitates the development of a cohesive network of independent queeridentified communities, with an emphasis on bisexuals. Here is one place we atypical soles can find solace. Yet, for those who have not discovered BiNet and do not know where to find similar organizations and communities, life remains remote. We long to be accepted by those who are gay and to be acknowledged by those who are straight. Such yearning has even led bisexuals to misidentify themselves as gay, lesbian, or straight, simply so they can be a part of an established community. Euphemia is one such example. I met Euphemia a few months ago at a local cafe. Whether it was her lust for life or sparkling green eyes that attracted me to her first, I shall never know. Over the following weeks, she spoke with me easily about ambition, traveling, and her favorite fruits. As our conversations flourished, so did our friendship, and so did my infatuation. Wary that I was beginning to become too fond of a straight girl, I asked Euphemia her sexual orientation.

As I did so, I swear I saw her flinch. Her eyes became less bright and she meagerly stated, “I don’t have one.” “So, you’re asexual?” I inquired. To which she replied, “No, man. I’m definitely sexual.” She then explained to me her entire, ever-altering sexual history (I’ll only say now what is relevant). Euphemia went from adolescent to adulthood as a bisexual, just as I had. However, in high school, she, because bisexuality had not (and has not) been legitimized, identified herself as a lesbian. But despite classifying herself as homosexual, she still found herself attracted to men (“well, probably boys at that point,” she said). She kept these straight urges closeted all throughout high school. While she was attending college in Germany, she fell in love with a fellow male classmate. For the duration of their relationship, she identified herself as straight. When she moved back to America upon graduating, which hence caused her relationship with her boyfriend to become rocky and end, she once again fell somewhere in-between the two legitimized

DO YOU BELIEVE IN BISEXUALITY? 80% YES 16% NO 4% OTHER

sexual identifications, but could, ironically, not identify with either. “So,” she concluded, “I don’t have one.” Euphemia’s situation is a sad, but common one. Because bisexuality has relentlessly been acknowledged as a fake orientation, those of us who identify as such are innately being told that we are fake, and have been living a sort of false life, thus pigeon-holing us into, paradoxically, even faker identities. Those who abandon bisexuality for homo or heterosexuality do not become more real as people; instead, the outcome is the exact opposite. No more should we individuals feel forced to relinquish our true identities solely because bisexuality has not been legitimized. Sometimes, half-way in and out of the closet is really the only place to be.

ELSA VANDE VEGTE

OUTLOUD

Visit us at: http://www.wix.com/standoutmason/standout2. Find us on Facebook: Stand OUT-George Mason University Email us at: StandOUTmason@gmail.com

tand OUT is George Mason’s newest LGBTQ advocacy group and, after less than a year of existence, has already lived up to its name. Stand OUT started with only a dozen founding members, but according to the group’s records, now boasts over 100 individuals including undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty members, and ten executive board members. The group provides an outlet for students interested in advocacy for the LGBTQ community through various events and community service projects. While Stand OUT may be the youngest LGBTQ organization on the Mason campus, its efforts match those that have been around for years. Faculty advisor Jonathan May noted, “I am so impressed with how fast this organization took off in its first year. You think the LGBTQ community is pretty well-represented by other organizations, and then a group like Stand OUT comes along and shows there is an entire segment of the population that can benefit from its efforts.”

May noted that he was extremely impressed by the group’s initiative. Just this year, Stand OUT helped coordinate Mason’s participation in the Whitman-Walker AIDS Walk/Run; created the “The Fox-May Scholarship for Social Equality,” hosted a showing of 8: The Mormon Proposition with a panel discussion; held a program that featured the Arlington County Police LGBTQ Liaison Unit; formed an LGBTQ intramural volleyball team; and held other various fundraisers and events throughout the year. Stand OUT’s President, senior Blake Silver, explained becoming a member is easy: “You just show up at a meeting, and you can be added to our e-mail listserv to stay updated on events and programs coming up. We know that all of our members are very active in different areas and with many different groups, so we have no requirement for membership in terms of attending a certain number of meetings,” Silver said. Associate Director of The LGBTQ Resources Office at Mason Ric Chollar explained Stand OUT brings a unique presence to the body of LGBTQ student groups. “While students have organized other effective activist efforts over the years, Stand OUT is the first group I’m aware of to be a recognized student organization with their focus and mission targeting LGBTQ activism, service and advocacy,” Chollar said. Chollar also explained that this group is unique in not only attracting LGBTQ individuals, but allies as well. He noted, “I believe Stand OUT has welcomed and attracted a greater number and proportion of straight allies than our other LGBTQ organizations have done this year.” “I think it’s an extremely positive, exciting step for Mason to provide more than one LGBTQ student organization,” Chollar said. “I encourage students to try out each of the groups, and continue to participate in the one or both that they feel comfortable with.” Other LGBTQ student groups on campus include: Pride Alliance, GALLA Law Students Association, and Grad Pride. ZACH EISENSTEIN

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MONSTER’S

BALL DYLAN JOHNSON

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE 81% APPROVE 8% DISAPPROVE 11% INDIFFERENT

THIS HONING OF A MONSTER PERSONA IS A FORM OF QUEER EXPRESSION IN A HETEROSEXUAL DOMINATED SOCIETY.

I was sitting in history class when my professor called Lady Gaga a monster. Now I would call myself a pretty big Gaga fan, and while she often refers to herself as a monster, I doubted my professor was even aware of this. So my mind immediately went into defensive queen mode. I began marshaling arguments in her favor - her civil rights work, her handson approach to her career, her presence – you know, the usual. Then my professor explained that a common anthropological definition of a monster is a boundary-transgressing animal. For example, vampires are both living and dead; werewolves are both man and beast; and the list goes on. Creating a monstrous persona, my professor argued, can be an excellent career move because it both fascinates and horrifies the public, a la Lady Gaga. This boundary transgression is a double-edged sword. It can foster admiration and praise but also disgust and hatred, a la Lady Gaga. While Lady Gaga has recently popularized the concept of the monster, there exists a sub-culture that has been studying the art of transgressing boundaries for well over 90 years; drag. Drag culture has been present in America since the early 1900s. During the 1920s and 30s, drag balls began surfacing in Harlem. Drag balls are a competition in which typically lower-class gay minorities compete to see who is the fiercest of them all. The balls consist of a cacophony of categories created by people with a fine arts degree in fabulous. The categories range from femme realness, in which men come dressed as women and the most convincing woman wins; to military realness, in which people come dressed in full military attire and march the ballroom floor rather than strut as their femme counterparts might. The list of categories is extensive: face, vogue femme, executive realness, body, butch queen up in drag, schoolgirl, thug realness, town and country, and the

list goes on and on. Since their inception, the balls have evolved into a nation wide, yet still largely underground, phenomenon in which taboos are broken through sexual and gender non-conformity. It has received some mainstream notoriety, most famously the 1990 documentary, Paris is Burning. The film demonstrates the variety of personas explored at these events. While the film received rave reviews, ball culture remained relatively under recognized. For years, the categories and performances at the balls were heavily influenced by mainstream culture. Scholars argue this is because objects can be appropriated from mainstream popular culture and then re-inscribed in ways that allow them to be used as a means of empowerment within the LGBTQ community. The balls offer a sense of belonging and a reassurance of self-worth. This is achieved through a communal rehashing and reinvention of gay sensibilities. Innovation is driven by competition. This honing of a monster persona is a form of queer expression in a heterosexual dominated society. The balls provide a space to re-appropriate elements of society that have been otherwise denied, which allows an individual to become a monster and often gain a sense of fulfillment. While the balls were heavily influenced by mainstream culture, in recent years, this influence has been reversed with characteristics of the balls now infiltrating mainstream pop culture. In fact one could argue that mainstream pop culture is drag ball culture. Madonna’s Vogue was lifted directly from the balls where vogueing is a longstanding and wildly vibrant category. Lady Gaga has talked on multiple occasions of the heavy influence that drag has had on her sense of style and persona - just check out the costume line up

at her next concert. Many makeup designers for some of the biggest stars are drag queens. Destiny’s Child employed Kevin Aviance, a legend of the ballroom floor, to teach them runway walking. Modern day dance, music, and fashion have all been heavily influenced by drag culture. However, because this influence is queer and monstrous in nature, its acknowledgment as a powerful guide of pop sensibility is far too often resisted. Other subcultures, such as B-boying or breakdancing, did not come up against the same kind of resistance. Its heavy influence on the trajectory of hip-hop culture is well documented and widely accepted. Drag does not enjoy that same luxury. There are some scholars who argue that drag has become an accepted art form in society today because its influence is so widely visible. While drag today may be more visible, this does not mean it has become accepted by mainstream society. These monsters may be fascinating, but they are still feared. Many still view drag culture as dirty monsters that fly in the face of society’s gender constructs. In large part because that is exactly what they are, and exactly what they do, and they do it well. The problem is this is often viewed as a negative thing. How many parents do you know who would be thrilled, or even ok, with hearing their son say he wants to dress all up in drag when he grows up? But monsters are not all bad. The thousands of testimonies by members of the ball community have demonstrated what a powerful and beneficial influence ball culture can have. Drag’s prevalence within mainstream pop culture is a testament to the fact that there is something about this boundary transgression that many people outside of the ball culture directly identify with. I just hope that one day society can more readily embrace that fact. Because let’s face it, there’s a little monster in all of us.

OUTLOUD

hen Ryan Allen entered the Ms. Mason competition as “Reann Ballslee,” a drag queen, he did not just win the crown. His election also gained national attention to the commitment of George Mason University to remain a highly diverse campus that values all types of people. However, one community on campus remains hesitant to call Mason a place dedicated to supporting all diversity. While small, the transgender community has yet to be included in the University’s student non-discrimination policy and continues to face transphobic policies throughout their daily lives as Mason individuals. For many, being transgender is a foreign concept associated with words like drag queens, transvestites, and trannies, but these words are not only offensive when discussing the trans community, but also highly inaccurate. A transgender individual experiences a difference between their physical sex and their gender. “It is a cliché, but a basic explanation is that the brain goes one way, and the body goes another,” said Allison, a trans student at Mason who would prefer to be identified by just her first name. When discussing trans issues, it is important to draw a distinction between sex, which is the physiological genitalia, and gender, which is the personal concept of identity. “It is difficult for people to understand being trans. It often gets discounted and completely misunderstood,” explains another Mason trans student named A-Jay, “but the biggest challenge when explaining to somebody that I am trans is being respected as trans.” Respect for the transgender community has been a long struggle and continues to be. The most recent achievements of the LGBTQ equality movement have all focused on gay, lesbian, or bisexual discrimination. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell only addressed issues relating to sexual orientation. Obama’s legal policy shift on the Defense of Marriage Act only relates to same-sex couples. The passed healthcare reform legislation did not include any of the transgender provisions. It remains legal in 37 states to fire somebody simply because they are transgender. “Rather than stand united as the LGBT community, some parts of the wider gay community wants to get ahead as much as possible,” said Allison. Whether it is ignorance surrounding the trans community or simply bigotry, transgender equality is far from being achieved. Unfortunately this is also true on the Mason campus. By no means is the Mason community an unsafe environment for trans students, but discrimination exists throughout.

“There is a very distinct lack of understanding which inevitably translates to discriminatory policies,” Allison said. While Mason does not necessarily create the discriminatory policies, it often makes it a challenge to overcome some of the inherent discrimination that occurs. For example, if a student’s legal name differs from the name they now identify with, it becomes difficult for the Registrar’s Office on campus to use the preferred name. It becomes even more difficult if the student wants to change their legal gender. “All of my teachers know the name I prefer, but when I submit anything on Blackboard, my legal name appears,” said A-Jay. While this problem exists for all students whose legal name differs from their preferred name, for trans students this means being outed as a different gender, especially if the assignment on Blackboard is communal.

“Everybody is always like, ‘who is that person?’ which makes it really awkward for me,” A-Jay said.

tion about specific trans health needs. “I’ve been to the health clinic on campus once. Frankly, I don’t feel comfortable talking to them about my body because I don’t think they understand my situation,” said Jay. The struggle for Mason to be more transinclusive faces an uphill battle. Because the University does not have an accurate way to count the number of trans students, it becomes difficult for University officials to justify spending on trans services without knowing the percent of the Mason population that is trans. “I usually work with around five trans or gender non-conforming students a year,” said Ric Chollar, Director of the LGBTQ Resource Center on campus. “However, I don’t think that is an accurate reflection of the amount of trans students at Mason. These are just the students who are comfortable enough to come forward and interact with LGBTQ Resources.” “I met a Mason trans person online who I never have seen or heard from before, which leads me to believe there are way more out there than we think,” said A-Jay.

WHEN DISCUSSING TRANS ISSUES IT IS IMPORTANT TO DRAW A DISTINCTION BETWEEN SEX, WHICH IS THE PHYSIOLOGICAL GENITALIA, AND GENDER, WHICH IS THE PERSONAL CONCEPT OF IDENTITY. Housing also creates problems. “I live on an all female floor with a community bathroom, but I identify as a male,” said Jay, another trans student. If a trans student outs themselves to housing, the solution creates additional problems. “I was not allowed to share a bedroom with anyone. I had to live in suite style housing in a single room,” Allison said. This option is one of the most expensive housing plans on campus. “Not only was this financially a struggle, but housing told me I wasn’t allowed to share a room with a guy or a girl because of safety concerns. Because, of course, being trans means if I lose consciousness in the proximity of another girl it would not be safe for her,” she sarcastically added. Gender-neutral bathrooms are available on campus, but their locations are selective and are also not in all the dorms. Counseling services on campus do not offer trans-specific long-term treatment for gender identity issues and counselors at Mason are not authorized to approve hormones. Student Health Services perform basic trans procedures like administering hormonal drug therapy, but the staff remains to receive professional medical educa-

“Statistically speaking we probably have 40 to 45 students that either currently identify or later in life will identify as trans,” said Allison. Regardless of the number of trans students, for Mason truly to be a campus supporting all forms of diversity, it remains imperative for the trans community to be included. This year, a group of trans and gender non-conforming students created TQMason. The group’s agenda is to raise awareness of trans issues and is open for allies of the trans community to join as well. As difficult as it is for some individuals to understand being trans, the important part is not understanding but respecting. As Cody, a trans male student explains, “I am a man. I’m just not the typical definition of one.”

HOW INFORMED DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY AT MASON?

41% Not at all 45% Somewhat 14% Very

LOST IN TRANSLATION AL

HETEROSEXU

MAL

YOU ARE HERE

TRA

ND SG E

HOM OSE X UA L

SURFACING DISCRIMINATION FACED BY THE TRANS COMMUNITY AT MASON QUINCEY SMITH, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

OUTLOUD

THE

BUSINESS OF

BEING GAY TAKING SEXUAL DIVERSIT Y INTO THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD GLEASON ROWE

Over half of US states do not have laws protecting members of the LGBTQ community against discrimination.

Setting aside the personal difficulties associated with being LGBTQ, figuring out how to balance professional environments with LGBTQ identity can be just as daunting. In my limited professional experience and leadership, more often than not, I have felt that I needed to work that much harder to compensate for my sexuality. While modern gender and queer studies would assert this is destructive and unjust – it is an unpleasant fact of life that some people will treat you differently, even if not openly, for being “different.” Over time, public opinion has gradually moved towards support of gay rights. This can be attributed largely to the visibility of the LGBTQ community. While age is not necessarily tied to one’s personal beliefs about homosexuality, there is often a generational difference, and a work place usually has a large age gap. It is inevitable that in one’s career they will have colleagues that are at least 30 years their senior. The elder generation’s beliefs, values and norms are inevitably different than the younger generation. Like the generations before them that were more likely to discriminate in terms of race, the baby boomer generation did not grow up with the same type of openness and acceptance that is really just starting to take root in American society. Still, the work place remains one of the most important areas to diminish prejudice and discrimination against the LGBTQ community. Over half of the states do not have laws protecting members of the LGBTQ community against discrimination. In fact, some states’ elected officials have attempted to regress from the few protections the LGBTQ community has. Virginia is a prime example. In 2010, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli advised all public universities in the state to drop their policies that protected against the discrimination based on sexual orientation. If discrimination cannot be destroyed in public education, then it will only infiltrate into the rest of society. When I ran for president of a student organization on campus, some of the males in the organization were uncomfortable electing an

openly gay person to lead. I was stereotyped as “catty” and a “gossiper”, qualities not typically assigned to the hetero male, and I was deemed undesirable for the role of president. While these individuals only represented a couple in an organization of 70, I worked harder to assuage these accusations. Right or not, I felt the need to overcome the notion that I was a less-adequate leader because I am gay – a sentiment that has remained with me in my other endeavors as well. In my professional life, I do not immediately assert my sexuality. If asked or if the conversation arises, I am secure in sharing my preference (which, for the record, is not a “lifestyle”). Some members of the LGBTQ community advocate that an individual should wear their sexuality on their sleeve. Personally, I find sharing your sexual orientation immediately is as unnecessary as someone announcing, “by the way, I’m really into blondes.” There is also a normative standard adopted by many of those who are not part of the LGBTQ community themselves. Often times, you are straight until proven gay. While recent advocacy for political correctness has assuaged this somewhat, many will assume a person to be heterosexual because it is what they know. I have had several employers assume my sexuality as hetero. This only exacerbates the anxiety of coming out. For instance, if a co-worker asks, “Do you have a girlfriend?” I can either answer simply, “no”, or awkwardly, “actually I have a boyfriend,” which will undoubtedly be met with some level of surprise, maybe even judgment. It’s not that these people are impolite, for many it is just what they know. I truly believe that when most people get to know and work with an LGBTQ individual, it gives the otherwise ambiguous concept a face and, more often than not, they become more aware and open. My most reassuring professional experience was in my internship for Senator Mark Warner on Capitol Hill. The administrative director, Reagan, is an out-and-proud lesbian with a larger-than-life personality. She is not only one of the kindest and most entertaining

WHAT INFLUENCES YOUR VIEWS OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY MOST? 11% MEDIA 31% FRIENDS 14% RELIGION 33% FAMILY 40% OTHER

people I’ve worked with, but it was immediately obvious she was well-respected amongst her co-workers, and she set a laidback and I do believe that homophobia is a declining phenomenon, just as racism has faded to an extent, but discrimination will never completely disappear. Historically in the US, we have seen discrimination go from race, to gender and now to LGBTQ individuals. But all we can do is be the best we can at our job, and hopefully time and growing open-mindedness will make being LGBTQ as insignificant in a professional environment as your horoscope.

CONGRATULATIONS on the debut of Outloud

Magazine and kudos to Quincey Smith, Editor-In-Chief for introducing this important publication celebrating the LGBTQ community! The Department of Communication at George Mason University

Gary L. Kreps, Ph.D., FAAHB University Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Communication http://communication.gmu.edu/ Director, Center for Health and Risk Communication http://chrc.gmu.edu/ George Mason University Science & Technology 2, Suite 230, MS 3D6 Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 (703) 993-1094, FAX (703) 993-1096 gkreps@gmu.edu

OUTLOUD

MEETING THREE OUT PROFESSORS THIS IS MORE THAN JUST INFORMING STUDENTS THAT THERE ARE TEACHERS WHO ARE A PART OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY. IT’S ABOUT EMPOWERING THOSE IN AND OUT OF THE COMMUNITY THAT THESE PROFESSORS ARE TEACHING COURSES THAT ARE BROADENING STUDENTS MINDS EVERYDAY. KAT DAYTON

TEACHER PROFILE: MICHAEL LECKER, PHD STUDENT IN CULTURAL STUDIES, NEW CENTURY COLLEGE PROFESSOR

“I don’t want to be an object in the classroom,” Lecker said, which is one of the main reasons he is open with his students from the beginning. He believes students who may be closeted or who may be homophobic who see an openly gay man in a

He puts effort into highlighting some LGBTQ issues in the classroom in order for students who don’t know or understand LGBTQ issues to have a forum to learn. Through the use of different kinds of readings including scholarly material coupled with narratives and discussions, he aims to bring a face to LGBTQ issues and help students put what they have learned into context. Although there are tremendous benefits to being an openly gay teacher, Lecker does sometimes struggle with the responsibility that comes with being an ally and a teacher. “Sometimes as a teacher and an older gay individual, students look to me for support, but I never want to be the only person the student feels they can turn to for support, especially because I am their

teacher. As an ally, you have to find the balance between being a teacher and being a mentor.” Because of this, he believes the LGBTQ programs at Mason are so important. Having something such as the mentor program along with the amazing support of teachers and the student community can create a healthy balance for students seeking guidance and acceptance. Lecker thinks Mason is an accepting place, and he is proud to be a professor here. He wants students in his classes to know that it is not so much about learning facts, as it is gaining a critical perspective and understanding how to study a topic; how it relates to the world yourself. That alone can change a student forever. TEACHER PROFILE: AL FUERTES, NEW CENTURY COLLEGE PROFESSOR, STUDY ABROAD FACULTY

A native of the Philippines, Al Fuertes came to Mason in 2001 for his PhD in Conflict Analysis

and Resolution. As a professor who specialized in classes about interpersonal connections with others and yourself, he always valued being open except when it came to his sexuality. Fuertes was not out to his students until about a year ago. He felt he needed to protect himself from negative responses that could potentially come from coming out to students, and did not want to hinder his student’s learning environment in any way. A year ago that all changed practically over night. During spring break of 2010, Fuertes lost his partner, Dan, of seven years very suddenly. People in Fuertes’ life knew about Dan, but he was always referred to as a friend in public. In order to get the support he needed in coping with Dan’s death, he knew he was going to have to come out. So, he sent an email to his students and faculty explaining what had happened. This was his coming out. Dan’s death created a need for honesty.

Photos by Kat Dayton

After finishing his undergraduate degree at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and his Master’s from Bowling Green State University, Lecker came to George Mason University to begin his Ph.D. in Cultural Studies. While teaching at Mason he has always been open about his sexuality to his students because he feared an “is he/isn’t he” mentality would be created if he remain closeted.

professional setting will hopefully break any stereotypes that students have. Being a younger professor, in Lecker’s eyes, also helps to bring understanding and tolerance to the classroom.

“In a way, that was Dan’s gift to me, authenticity,” said Fuertes. Although it was a painful process, it brought about healing and self-appreciation and a new admiration for honesty. He now emphasizes complete openness in his classroom. Being honest, he feels, strengthens his conviction, which is a common thread throughout his courses. He wants students to confront issues, not prolong them, because honesty brings about understanding from others, as well as yourself. While showing his commitment to himself and openness to his students is his main priority, he doesn’t come out to his students on the first day of class. “Before I tell people who I am, I want them to experience ME first,” he said. His sentiment extends beyond the classroom as well. Fuertes is also a pastor at a local United Church of Christ. He has never experienced anything but tolerance from this community. When he chose to come out to his congregation, he was worried,

but he realized, “There are times when you stand your ground and allow others to figure it out.” As for the community at Mason, he feels welcome and comfortable amidst the diverse campus and is a big advocate for the LGBTQ programs. According to Fuertes, “These programs add depth to the educational experience as a whole.” TEACHER PROFILE: SUZANNE SCOTT, DIRECTOR OF WOMEN AND GENDER STUDIES, WOMEN AND GENDER STUDIES PROFESSOR, NEW CENTURY COLLEGE PROFESSOR

When Suzanne Scott started at Mason, she didn’t make her sexuality known in the classroom because, to put it simply, she was afraid of being hurt. She was always open and out to faculty and friends, and if a student wanted to find out, they easily could. But in the last three years, she has become fully open with her classes because of one student. The death in 2009 of Brian Picone, an LGBTQ activist and

student of hers, changed her comfort and views on being open with her classes. She said, “He inspired me in his life, and he radicalized me in his death.” Her co-workers and students have all been extremely supportive of her openness. But if a student identifies themselves as a part of the LGBTQ community, a distinct connection is made between the two. “No matter what anybody says,” Scott explained, “there is an immediate bond because we are part of a minority. We know something about the world that is different because we inhabit these particular bodies at this particular moment.” Being an out woman has also shaped her role as a professor. Female roles within the LGBTQ community are often marginalized, and Scott addresses this by using the term queer in curricular settings. Queer is considered a more fluid label, encompassing the identity of gay without necessarily assigning gender.

“Women’s role in the LGBTQ movement is something we need to critique,” said Scott. Scott feels surrounded with allies at Mason – both students and fellow teachers. She attributes a lot of the acceptance on the prevalence of the LGBTQ community on campus and the LGBTQ programs and resources available at Mason. In her eyes, the Mason student body is given many opportunities to learn tolerance and gain knowledge and understanding of the LGBTQ community. She is proud to teach at such an accepting institution. Now, as an openly gay teacher, she wants her students to understand a very specific message: “it really is possible to be open about who you are and to have a good life, and not have to settle and try to live a lie.”

OUTLOUD

WHO’S AFRAID OF THE

BIG BAD FAG HAG?

Understanding the Identity of Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys KATIE MILLER

ver since birth, I knew I had a special relationship with gay men. The first person to hold me was a gay male nurse, how could I be anything but a fag hag. That nurse coddled and held me and showed me off, refusing to let my own mother hold me until he was done parading. Clearly I was taught at the youngest possible age that this type of person embraced and supported me. From then on, gay men have been present at every point in my life. I was proud to have the fag hag label and bore that badge proudly. However, I’ve recently found out that I should not be so happy with the label, in fact, I should be offended. But that’s crazy, right? It’s forward thinking to accept all people, and to be associated with the LGBTQ community could never be bad. But some think otherwise. Some believe the use of stereotypes related to gay men and their fag hags in such comedy strips as the youtube sensation Sassy Gay Friend only poke fun at the gay community, instead of enhance it. Will and

Grace in particular is one of the biggest proponents popularizing the fag hag in recent years. Such T.V. shows and comedy sketches make being a fag hag seem fun and trendy, while many gay men and straight women find the use in the media degrading to their relationship. Not only has the term become popularized in recent years, but the essence of the fag hag has changed dramatically. Originally, fag hags were considered just as out casted as gay men, and the relationship that blossomed stemmed from a shared need for companionship. The Hetrick-Martin Institution, which founded the Harvey Milk High School, holds an annual fag hag pageant used as a benefit for the institute. Founder of the pageant Shawn Hollenbach explains fag hags were the unsung heroes of the gay world. Images of Liza Minnelli, Barbara Streisand and other glitzy and glamorous girls were the caricatures of the original fag hag. Today however, the face of fag hags has been given a make over. Fag hags today don’t really have a defining quality,

country. But between the two, they are able to express themselves in an open, worry-free way. A straight woman’s relationship with gay men boosts their self-confidence in ways friendships with women or straight men can’t accomplish. But the fact remains that many still find the term offensive for both parties. Many women see the label as limiting, making them seem only reflective of that relationship, and gay men often feel like accessories, something a straight woman seeks like a new bag. The word itself has negative connotations to it. Fag has been a known derogatory term in and out of the gay community, and hag denotes a shrew-like woman. Needless to say, I now understand why both parties would be offended by the name. However, it is still used in positive ways, which makes me wonder if some see it as a way to reclaim the words for both marginalized groups.

Many fags and their hags find their friendship allows them to be comfortable without any sexual expectation. Essentially, by using the pejorative term on yourself, the word loses its potency. And a Mason Facebook group has done just that. They use fag hag as an acronym standing for the Fabulous Against Gross Hairy Asshole Guys. The organization is a support group for boys and girls “who have been disappointed in MEN and what they have brought to the table, whether they be jerks, or horny little fucks.” They reclaim the word by giving it a positive spin for both parties. However, the problem in reclaiming the word fag hag is that it doesn’t solve the whole problem. The bigger issue is the way the relationship itself is being portrayed, not just the label. Gay men and straight women are put into a box because of the over-generalized definition of what it means for the two to be best friends. The word just intensifies these confines.

other than their attraction to gay male companions. Occasionally, fag hags are portrayed as lonely, ugly women but often times, as in Will and Grace or Sex and the City, they are every day gals, a very different visage than the bedazzled super women of old. Many fags and their hags find their friendship allows them to be comfortable without any sexual expectation. Frequent touching, grabbing and even humping is typical in an interaction between these two friends. No sexual tension exists, which is interesting, since the physical interactions between are often sexualized. My gay friends are always grabby and touchy, which is far from bothersome. But if a straight man were to dare try such a move, let’s just say he’d surely regret it. Or at least his balls would. There is no judgment when a fag and his hag play flirtatiously; allowing them to be free in a sphere both have been confined to in the past. Women are traditionally taught not to be sexual in public, and a gay man’s sexuality is hardly even legitimized in this

So what’s the verdict? Does the term fag hag limit gays and straight women, or is it society confining this relationship that is hurting these groups? While the fag hag has clearly played a huge role through the course of the gay rights movement, that role has evolved with the times. Overall, the relationship is meant to represent one thing, and one thing only: friendship. If people treat each other kindly and with respect, the labels become irrelevant, because the people involved define their relationships, not society. So straight gals and gay guys, if the term empowers your relationship without marginalizing any one, embrace the word! But those of you who reject labels and want to be free of stigma, don’t use it. And for the rest of us, remember that words hold weight no matter who uses them. As a society, we must be cautious and cognizant of our language. Because the beautiful people enhancing my life and the lives of many straight women out there don’t need labels to make them happy. We just need each other.

OUTLOUD

hile overlooked at times, straight allies are among the most effective and powerful voices of the LGBTQ movement. Being an ally is as simple as being a friend—supporting and accepting the LGBTQ individuals in your life. Straight allies are most effective when we personally advocate for equal rights and fair treatment of the LGBTQ community. Allies can also be key to the coming-out process by helping the person coming out and others in that person’s life to understand the importance of equality, fairness, acceptance and mutual respect.

beautiful to see the powerful relationship that had only strengthened over time between Austin and my family.

My most fulfilling experience as an ally started when I walked into a high school drama audition for West Side Story. I expected that with my Cuban-Puerto Rican background I would be cast into the Sharks, but nothing went as planned. As I “ooblee ooed” my way into my role as a Jets girl, I also formed an unexpected friendship with a fiery, southern redhead from Georgia. As an openly gay teenager, students and teachers alike in his hometown in Georgia had verbally abused Austin at school.

While organizations like PFLAG (Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) have helped raise awareness and foster acceptance in the families of LGBTQ individuals, these organizations work exclusively with family and friends. In this way, experiences are yet again separated, further dividing the LGBTQ community from others, including their own family and friends. These types of organizations also have the unfortunate potential to create an environment where, for example, a mother harboring negative feelings towards her son’s homosexuality may join the group to harp about her disappointment and look to other parents to support her in her “why me?” feelings. These meetings are not meant to allow individuals to express negativity towards the LGBTQ community. They are meant to cultivate positivity and understanding, while training families and friends to be ardent allies.

Misunderstood and mistreated in Georgia, Austin just wanted to make friends at his new high school in Florida and finally find the support he was intensely missing. But, while my high school in south Florida was by and large more open to the LGBTQ community, Austin still had a hard time bridging the gap, and my family became a rallying force of support for Austin, with me at the forefront. At the end of his senior year, Austin’s aunt, whom he had moved in with, no longer wanted to house him, and she threatened to pull him out of school and send him back to Georgia. My mother, a seemingly unlikely person to take in a homosexual teenage boy (due to her conservative Catholic upbringing) did exactly that. It’s funny how the strongest allies can often be the most unexpected and surprising individuals. My mother did everything she could to help Austin through his last year of high school. During my visits from Mason to Florida, it was

The Lambda Alumni Chapter,

officially formed in 2009, is a co-sponsor of the GMU Lavender Graduation. The chapter participates in events at GMU throughout the year and has recently established the “Lambda Alumni Chapter Scholarship”, to be given to a worthy Mason student active in the LGBTQ community. To make a tax-deductible donation to the scholarship, please go to https:// www.gmufoundation.org/fndtapps/contribute/donatecyber.cfm To ensure that your donation is provided to Lambda, in the “Other Established Fund” field, type “Lambda Alumni Chapter Scholarship”

With every moment I have spent with Austin, I have been humbled by his ability to embrace his identity unabashedly. His openness and honesty about his identity has propelled me forward in my own life to fight against the lack of open communication between the LGBTQ community, their families, and their friends. I believe that communication can open avenues of understanding and bridge the gap that currently allows intolerance to perpetuate.

The LGBTQ community unfortunately does its fair share of separating as well. When I went as Austin’s date to the Gay & Friends Inclusive Youth Prom in 2010, I expected that the event would, as the title suggests, be all-inclusive. I was sadly mistaken. While the Gay Prom was a beautiful attempt to celebrate the queer community, as a straight ally, I was met by many befuddled looks. The event was Alice in Wonderland themed and costumes were recommended, so naturally, Austin and I walked in as the White Queen and the White Rabbit. When the Prom Committee asked us if we wanted to run for “Cutest Couple,” many prom-goers were less than supportive. They didn’t think a straight girl should be at the Gay Prom, and they thought the “real couples” should be the only ones allowed to run. I wanted to be respectful of their feelings and asked Austin if we could back out of the running, but he insisted that as his best friend and a constant supporter of the community, I had the right to be there for the event. Needless to say, Austin and I won the title of “Cutest Couple.” Situations like this only highlight the surface level misunderstandings that can divide the LGBTQ community from their family, friends, and others who could potentially be active allies. For Austin, high school would have been lonely without his allies, and I may not have made a lifelong friend had it not been for my willingness to be an ally (although the constant hilarity that follows him doesn’t hurt). In order to overcome these divisions, we must acknowledge that our differences do not separate us, but rather, through open communication and positive alliances, our differences can allow for new and diverse understandings of ourselves. Just as straight allies are supporting the LGBTQ community, the community must love us back. We’re here (but not queer) for you!

Check us out on facebook! http://tinyurl. com/MasonLambda For any questions, please contact either of the Lambda Alumni Chapter Co-Chairs Alex Gant - alexgant86@gmail.com or Matt Bruno - mbruno@gmualumni.org

DO YOU THINK SAME-SEX MARRIAGES DESERVE THE SAME BENEFITS AS HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGES? 88% YES 2% NO 10% INDIFFERENT

Straight Not Narrow

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF ALLY ANGELIKA ALBALADEJO

OUTLOUD

THE SHARING EXPERIENCE INSIDE THE LGBTQ MENTORING PROGRAM RAMY ZABARAH

t was the Fall of 2010, and the leaves were beginning their transformation. Thousands of students flooded George Mason University as the temperature slowly dropped, and the climate quickly altered. Daniel Waxman, then Graduate Assistant for LGBTQ Resources, along with Associate Director Ric Chollar, was in the midst of organizing what he had hoped to be a program beneficial not only to the recognition of a community, but to the individuals of the community themselves. The LGBTQ Mentoring Program, designed to provide support to freshmen and sophomore students who identify as LGBTQ, pairs a junior, senior or graduate student mentor with a freshman or sophomore mentee. “I wanted to establish this program based on my personal experiences at [UNC] Chapel Hill,” Waxman says. “I feel that mentoring is very important and having this program helps establish relationships that individuals can develop while they are at Mason.” Though Waxman is the first and current Mentoring Coordinator of the program, he gives credit to LGBTQ resources intern Kristen Lucas and Chollar for being “instrumental in making this program a success.” According to Waxman, there are approximately 15 people involved in the LGBTQ mentoring program including mentors, mentees and mentoring coordinators. All mentors are paired with their mentees based on the coordinators’ judgment. “The mentors were selected based on an application process,” Waxman says. “We paired them up with their mentees based on who the mentoring coordinators thought would be the best match.” Students from all around the LGBTQ community on campus apply to the program not only in hopes of gaining experience in mentoring others, but also out of the willingness to provide support to students who are going through what the mentors have experienced themselves. Spencer Haag, a junior at George Mason University, applied to be a mentor during the program’s first semester. Coordinators immediately paired him with freshman Auggy Willman, a student of vocal performance. “Becoming a mentor was something I’d never done before. I also have experience with what the gay community is like on campus and in D.C. I thought I could share that,” Haag says.

THE IDEA OF HELPING SOMEONE OUT WHO MAY BE LOST IN HIS OR HER SITUATION WAS APPEALING. Students involved in the program engage in various activities that deal with identity development, LGBTQ health and community as a whole and multiple social events. On their own time, however, mentors and mentees are constantly checking up on each other and, to put it quite simply, hanging out. “We have dinner and discuss different issues,” Willman says. “Sometimes we just go for walks around the campus and talk.” Haag and Willman find themselves to be quite the perfect pair, for which they give credit to the mentoring coordinators. Their mutual affinity for Lady Gaga and Willman’s ability to serenade Haag on demand only strengthens the bond they share through this program. “My mentor is awesome,” Willman says. “We have so much in common, and we like to discuss the same things so the match was pretty spot on.” In efforts to create more of a presence and educate the rest of the Mason population on their culture, the LGBTQ community has strived to make sure its members are strongly supported and have a healthy view of themselves and those around them. Perhaps the college experience lies not in the complexity of a prolonged adolescence, nor in the glamorous lifestyles portrayed in the movies. For some students, the perfect college experience could very well lie in the hands of an able and experienced peer. Likewise, for students who have had their fair share of laughs, cries and three-day weekends, but still wish to learn a little more while they can, the LGBTQ mentoring program is there to help them build the bonds that will teach them those lessons. “Over the course of this program, I’ve learned to realize that when you’re in a mentormentee relationship, there is no mentor or mentee,” Haag says. “We’re both learning from each other. It’s a sharing experience.”

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