Out of the Straight and Narrow
Eric Kacker
Issue date: 11/30/05 Section: editor's picks
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Versus Magazine Online [Image Edition]
The daunting fear of not being accepted kept me in the closet four years prior to attending Vanderbilt. The one thought that never crosses a closeted individual's mind is that he or she would be too accepted.
In the two years that I have been out, never have I been chastised, called names, or made to feel inferior; instead, I have experienced the complete opposite. People knock on my door to ask if their outfit matches, some on a daily basis. People will tell me about how "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" is one of their favorite shows, or how much they enjoy when MTV does a gay version of "Room Raiders." After I meet someone, almost always the first question asked is, "Can we go shopping together soon?" At a party a few weeks ago, a girl actually introduced herself to me and in that same breath professed, "I am so glad I finally met you, I did not have any gay friends here last year and I really miss my gay friends from home."
By no means am I complaining, especially considering the alternative situation I could find myself in. Sometimes I become the aggregate of all stereotypes and generalizations because it is an unchallenging and entertaining role to play. The challenge comes in realizing that it is not the only role I have.
Last year in a philosophy seminar, the professor asked the class, "What is it going to take for the homosexual community to win the battle they currently face?" I was disappointed at myself after class because I had no reply to offer. It has taken over a year, but I think I finally have a response.
Last year's David Sedaris essay reading was one of the most encouraging, inspiring nights of my life. I remember looking around the audience to see that all demographics of the Vanderbilt and Nashville community were in attendance to hear the widely acclaimed, openly homosexual writer often deemed the wittiest man in America. I sat in amazement as he read about his relationship with his boyfriend and the audience laughed and actually "awwww-ed" him at several points. As I saw the line for his book signing extended outside the doors of Langford auditorium, I wondered how he was able to win the love of his audience and still openly talk about a subject matter disapproved of by most Americans.
The daunting fear of not being accepted kept me in the closet four years prior to attending Vanderbilt. The one thought that never crosses a closeted individual's mind is that he or she would be too accepted.
In the two years that I have been out, never have I been chastised, called names, or made to feel inferior; instead, I have experienced the complete opposite. People knock on my door to ask if their outfit matches, some on a daily basis. People will tell me about how "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" is one of their favorite shows, or how much they enjoy when MTV does a gay version of "Room Raiders." After I meet someone, almost always the first question asked is, "Can we go shopping together soon?" At a party a few weeks ago, a girl actually introduced herself to me and in that same breath professed, "I am so glad I finally met you, I did not have any gay friends here last year and I really miss my gay friends from home."
By no means am I complaining, especially considering the alternative situation I could find myself in. Sometimes I become the aggregate of all stereotypes and generalizations because it is an unchallenging and entertaining role to play. The challenge comes in realizing that it is not the only role I have.
Last year in a philosophy seminar, the professor asked the class, "What is it going to take for the homosexual community to win the battle they currently face?" I was disappointed at myself after class because I had no reply to offer. It has taken over a year, but I think I finally have a response.
Last year's David Sedaris essay reading was one of the most encouraging, inspiring nights of my life. I remember looking around the audience to see that all demographics of the Vanderbilt and Nashville community were in attendance to hear the widely acclaimed, openly homosexual writer often deemed the wittiest man in America. I sat in amazement as he read about his relationship with his boyfriend and the audience laughed and actually "awwww-ed" him at several points. As I saw the line for his book signing extended outside the doors of Langford auditorium, I wondered how he was able to win the love of his audience and still openly talk about a subject matter disapproved of by most Americans.