I am the editor-in-chief for the University Chronicle at
St. Cloud State University,
Minnesota'
s second largest university.
Many might assume that I would feel safe and secure identifying myself as gay in the pages of the campus newspaper, but it was with much trepidation that I first typed the opening words, “I’m a gay feminist,” to a recent column. It was the first time I had identified myself as gay in the newspaper. It was a meaningful piece to me about the connections between homophobia and sexism, and it was something that I had wanted to write for a long time.
Looking back, you never really know whether a story or a column will inspire feedback, but for some reason, I knew this time was going to be very different. I knew that I was putting myself in the line of fire, and sure enough, the backlash came and came quickly.
The first letter of dissent came to my e-mail inbox only a few hours after the issue was distributed around campus. An angry student hastily composed a letter which accused me of attempting to “unite so-called oppressed groups;” those groups being women and the LGBT community. The letter went on to accuse me of being the true sexist oppressor. It was angry, and every time I re-read it, I could physically feel the anger pouring out of it.
I cannot say that I was surprised, because while the student body at
St. Cloud
State
University
is generally liberal, the university finds itself surrounded by a relatively conservative pocket within the state. Incidents of hate-motivated crimes have made headlines here recently, including a recent slew of swastika drawings that has inspired a host of university-sponsored forums.
I have worked at the college newspaper since I first arrived on campus. However, it was not until this year that I came out. The experience was rewarding, so it was with renewed vigor that I took on issues of importance within the LGBT community. For example, in a series about religion on campus, I focused one branch of the series on a local Lutheran church that makes its LGBT-friendly status well known among students.
The impact of my coming out may have also caused a ripple effect on our staff because I think that they have at least become somewhat consciously aware of LGBT issues. Whether this focus would have been there regardless of my presence is hard to tell, but I do think having openly LGBT editors and staff members makes a difference in the newsroom.
The closeted LGBT population of
St. Cloud
and of the university far outweighs the openly LGBT population, and this, in my opinion, is the biggest challenge we face as a community. It is easy for people to hate and fear something about which they know nothing. LGBT students, faculty and community members challenge the assumption of silence and force others to confront their prejudices. In the same way, LGBT newsroom leaders and welcoming newsroom environments are essential and are something every newspaper should strive for.
