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WCU - LGBTQIA+ Archive of Jackson County

Western Carolinian letter to the editor by Michael J. Kinnisen

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  • This November 14, 1985 letter to the editor in the Western Carolinian titled after the Tom Robbins' quote "There is no such thing as a weird human being" by social work major Michael J. Kinnisen addresses the November 7th article "Gay student organization fighting for recognition." He is responding to the remarks of social work major Toba Dowell who spoke out against Lavender Bridges. Lavender Bridges, an anonymously founded student organization open to all individuals, aimed to promote awareness of lesbian and gay lifestyle, provide lesbian and gay resources, and increase communication with all students and community members. The first organizational meeting took place October 10, 1985 and was officially recognized by the office of Student Development on December 13, 1985. The last mention of the group appeared in the October 10, 1991 issue of the Western Carolinian.
  • NO SUCH THING AS A WEIRD HUMAN BEING Dear Editor: I would like to respond to Toba Dawell, a Social Work major, who was quoted last week as saying, "Lavender Bridges should never have come out of the closet." Since I am also a Social Work major, I found this attitude quite disturbing. I think that if anyone should be receptive to this new organization it should be an individual who is committed to helping others: a social worker. Furthermore, I don't feel it is a social worker's job to judge others. Quite the contrary, we should seek to provide support and guidance. Toba, what will you do if, and it will most likely happen, you are confronted with a homosexual client? Are you going to turn them away and refuse to help? I should certainly hope not, since that is exactly what the bulk of society has chosen to do. This brings me to my second point. You asked, "Why do they need to be recognized?" Let me ask you this, "Why do you think there are special interest groups representing blacks, hispanics, women, the deaf, the blind, peace advocates, etc.?" The group provides a sense of unity, understanding and self worth. Also since society is more likely to listen to a group than an individual, organizing provides a means to be heard. Are we to deny this basic freedom to homosexuals because their sexual preference is different than our own? If so, wouldn't we have to consider all groups whose beliefs and ideals differ from our own? Finally, I feel your attitude, which is shared by many, is a product of ignorance and fear. Granted, it is difficult to accept someone who we don't truly iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii understand. But simply because one's beliefs are different, we haven't the right to condemn them. In addition, it is my opinion that those who consider themselves to be "straight" develop a fear of homosexuals. Perhaps it is rooted in the misconception that we may somehow lose our femininity or masculinity if groups like Lavender Bridges are openly recognized. This is of course foolish since homosexuals are not out to convert heterosexuals. If we continue to refuse to accept and understand homosexuality this ignorance and fear will only pertetuate. In closing, I hope that Toba, and anyone else with similar sentiments will, seriously, reconsider their.position. Keep in mind the quote by Tom Robbins, "There is no such thing as a weird human being. It's just that some people require more understanding than others." And remember Toba, the social work profession calls for a great deal of openmindedness and acceptance. A Fellow Social Work Major Michael J. Kinnisen WE LOVE OUR 'LIL SIS' Dear Editor: As a fraternity that is very proud of its little sister organization, we would like to respond vehemently against the Novem-ber 7 issue's article entitled "Fraternity Executives Against Little Sisters." Ms. Sandy Stahl, the associate director of sororities and fraternities at Vanderbilt, calls such organization "socially limiting and misleading," and that they "weaken thebondsof brotherhood," and "undermine the entire Greek system." We find Ms. Stahl's comments to have no validity among our Golden Hearts, and find such qualities in the Little Sister organizations that she associates with to be a ridiculous underestimation of the potential benefits little sisters can offer to a fraternity, and in contrast to our little sisters. We consider our Golden Hearts as a part of fraternity that is necessary to not only maintain our closeness as brothers, but to continue our tradition. They help and support us at award banquets, during rush week, and celebrate holidays and birthdays with us. Our Golden Hearts are

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LGBTQIA+ Archive of Jackson County

WCU LGBTQIA+ Archive partners with UNC-Asheville and the non-profit organization Blue Ridge Pride to create a regional archive of LGBTQ oral histories and ephemera.  ...

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