Planting the Rainbow Flag at UNM

It is about time lgbt folks git their own "center" on Kampus. When I was a student at unm in mid-late 80's we managed to eke out a small office on the upper level of the sub.

It had a phone and nothin' else.

Oh, it had a "listing" in the UNM Resource Book, but then, only a few [maybe dozens] per semester really gave an effen capital letter about it, or were willing to participate. Others, I suppose, were closeted and fearful to "come out" on Campus; even then, UNM observed the National Coming Out day on campus and student union and student government candidates met with various groups.

I am glad to see the acceptance and the visibility of the lgbt groups now on campus.

Whoopeeeee!!!!!!

that "patriot" has one T?

Dear "Pattriot", although I'm not so much an old hippie as a free thinker, I'd like to say this about our "identity crisis": That's not the point. It's a way of raising awareness that we are a significant part of the population - so much so that it might surprise you that one of your better friends is gay. Some day our numbers will be evident enough, so that flying a flag or having an annual "coming out" day won't be necessary or even worth a second thought.

My self-identity is a vegetarian and that is my lifestyle. I don't normally run around telling eveyone my personal secret. I don't feel a need for "visibility", "getting the message out", "claiming power" or "taking action". It is a private matter. No flag building is necessary. I asked a gay couple whom I have known for over twenty years (thay have been together for twenty eight years) their thoughts on this matter and they share my distaste for in your face activism and the shrill way it is expressed.

BTW Vegan activists can be embarrassing too.

Have you been afraid for your physical safety because you're a vegetarian? Have you been denied the right to marry another vegetarian? Did your parents disown you because you were born a vegetarian? Did you suffer negative career consequences once it came out you didn't eat meat?

I'm afraid you confuse the issue by equating an innocuous lifestyle choice with a group of people fighting for its right to be treated fairly under the law and within society. A flag isn't about shoving beliefs in anyone's face: it's a symbol that unites those who believe these acts of discrimination are abhorrent. What about that upsets you?

We will, we will rock you!!

I wonder how many microscopes or Educational Assistants this monument would fund. Couldn't help but notice that budgets are tight and UNM has never been the paragon of efficient spending. The beat goes on. But if even one single boy had his self esteem elevated by the sight of his flag, on a major campus, it's worth every dime, right?

I'm not going to poke, prod or demand another entitlement from the taxpayers in the way of a Vegetarian Resource Center. I won't spend years making my dream happen. If I did however, impose my views, read Factory Farms, and shove my opinions onto others through aggressive activism, then I would expect some push-back. If I tied up traffic with a stupid parade and inconvenienced thousands of other citizens, I would not expect a positive feedback.

It's just sex folks. It's a private matter. Keep your privates out of my face.

Regards

who said I was gay? Maybe I am. But maybe I'm also a heterosexual who's made uncomfortable by homophobia. I hear they exist.

And I'd like for you to explain what you mean by

I never condone violence, just don't bring it down on yourself.

I'm sincerely hoping that you don't mean that someone being gay or, god forbid, "acting gay" is a reason for violence.