stever@mit-eddie.UUCP (Stephen Robbins) (05/04/84)
I'm an MIT dorm resident, and I live in probably one of the liberal dorms on campus. We have several openly gay residents of the dorm, ranging from the earring-and-leather-harness type (although in all fairness, I should point out that he just does it for the effect) to completely "normal" looking types. People seem to respect their orientation and practice a "live and let live" philosophy. I haven't found this to be the case at other dorms, however. I have a gay friend who is moving to my dorm next year because he is being harassed (due to his gayness) where he is now. I get the impression that there are about 4 dorms on campus where being gay is tolerated, but there are definitely some where there's a lot of negativity directed towards openly gay people. The frats seem to be more extreme, however. I know of some fraternities which, surprisingly, have 2 to 4 gay members (typically one comes out and the others follow) and it doesn't bother anyone. Other frats, hoever, have retracted bids when freshmen have revealed their preferences. I have a friend who is completely convinced that it "couldn't happen in his house. They'd just KNOW and not let the person in." What's the situation like elsewhere? Stever (...!mit-eddie!stever or stever@mc)