One thing needs to be set straight, and it’s not me. Yes,
I’m gay. Yes, I’m going to BYU. But the only thing that needs to be set
straight is the fact that Dupree does hit me. Not that I don’t deserve it mind
you. I do deserve it. But still…
Anyways, I’m a gay BYU student who is afraid to stand out in
the crowd. My job is to work with 5-6 year old kids and, well, have fun! Want
to talk about the ideal job? I get paid to work with first grade kids all day!
And as such, I get to see several things about Mormon kids that may dispel some
myths. First, one of the activities that I get to do with my kids (I usually
get groups of 15 or so) is making flags. I would have thought the most common
things that my kids would draw would be the American Flag. Nope. It’s a
rainbow.
Obviously, the kids don’t get the symbolism for the rainbow.
They take their flags and wave them everywhere, not thinking about anything
else. So… what does this mean? KIDS HAVE TO BE TAUGHT TO HATE THE RAINBOW. They
aren’t born hating it, even if they are Mormons.
What is BYU’s biggest problem with gay people? It seems to
me that we act like dirty stained glass windows at BYU. Yet, unlike stained
glass window’s, we can’t be cleaned. We are a little more permanent. So is that
the problem? BYU can’t stand that they can’t change something? Irony, since
BYU’s biggest problem seems to be their inability to change…
Now, I’ve been very lucky to have all the roommates at BYU
I’ve had thus far. One guy was Georgian (accent and everything) one guy was
British (yes, he was VERY popular with the ladies) and even a roommate who’s
twin I dated. So yes, very lucky. But now I have a roommate that I have a hard
time respecting. We get along great. We both play similar board games (even if
I always win) and just have a lot of enjoyable “bro time.” (DO NOT judge me for
using the word bro. It was the best way to phrase it.) But, on the first day
that we met, he told me his goal was to get married within a year. Given, he
had just come off his mission, but still, he was a freshman and THAT was his
only goal. I can’t stand people who are THAT desperate to get married.
Side Note. I'm going by "Lee" for the blog.
Do I call you Lee or BradleyLee? And I only hit you cause i freaking love you! So glad you're finally here!
ReplyDeleteI love your post. Some of us are teaching our kids to love rainbows :). My hope for your roommate, is that his friendship with you will help him realize that he doesn't hate gay people. Whenever you decide to tell him, I hope that he will realize that he really likes you, and is already friends with a gay person. Maybe it will change his world view a bit.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tiffany. His "hate" was probably taught to him rather than something he just developed. This might be a potential learning experience for him (and you). Still, I wouldn't stay in a harmful environment, if that's what it is.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you on the blog, Lee! Can't wait to read more and get to know you better.
Woot! Another bro on the blog! I am excited to hear more of your story and more of your insights!
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of what Tiffany and Jo have said, take care of yourself and if he is truly your friend his eyes will be opened and your friendship can be strengthened.
Good luck, dude. Keep us posted!
Yay! I'm excited to have you, Lee. Love the cat picture :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope things go well with your roommate.
I had a friend (practically family) say to her son, "we don't hang out with gay people". This was during the very beginning of my coming in process and her comment made me so afraid to come out to people. When I came out to her two years later she didn't take it very well. She avoids talking about it. And I'm not sure how she feels about the gay part of me so to speak. I know she still loves me and we still keep in touch (though she doesn't ask about my amazing lovergirl, which makes me a little sad).
Good luck! and thanks for the great post.