Yale's LGBT thrives in tolerant environment

I have a vivid memory of the zoo-like frosh bazaar the August of my freshman year. Sure, all the a cappella folks were bombarding me with handouts for one singing group after another, but my mind was definitely elsewhere. I must have walked past the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Co-op table at least six or seven times, not once mustering up enough courage to go over, say hello, and collect some of the information they were handing out. The woman sitting there in her bandana and oxford shirt kept staring me down—I guess my shaved head gave me away—and I was so embarrassed that I literally wanted to die. But that was a long, long time ago. Now I'm the bandana-ed, oxford-wearing girl (wo)manning the Co-op table. I've grown a lot during the past couple of years.

Queer life at Yale comes in all shapes and sizes, just like its constituents. There are people who prefer to keep their sexual identity to themselves, people who are "out" enough to find a nice "significant other" to watch movies with alone in their rooms, and then there are people who go to "gay parties" (as they're fondly called) dressed in tight halter tops, leopard-print skirts, and Steve Maddens—and I'm talking about men here. Of course, there are queer people who don't fit into any of these categories, but at Yale, they can usually find their own niche. The majority of the student body is at least tolerant, if not accepting, of homosexuality, so being "out" is a real option, regardless of how you want to live your queer life. Of course, gay life at Yale is not always a cup of tea. It's a real campus with real people, and just as there are homophobes in the real world, there are some at Yale. Instances of homophobia are rare, but they still occur. For example, during Pride Week in 1999, a group of students hung posters around campus mocking homosexuals and suggesting that homosexuality was sinful. The postering sparked significant controversy on campus, and both gay and straight students were outraged. The incident was a reminder that no school is free of bigotry.

The most obvious path to take leads straight to the LGBT Co-op, the umbrella organization for all the queer groups and activities on campus. It meets every week, as do the other confidential discussion groups like GaYalies (for men), Prism (for queer people of color), the Not-Straight Frosh (run for and by freshpeople), BiWays, and YaLesbians. In addition to sponsoring these groups, the Co-op also holds dance parties every two months or so, and organizes Pride Week in the spring. Co-op dances are some of the best Yale parties, and people of all sexual orientations join in the festivities. Two years ago during Pride Week, the Co-op ran an S&M workshop, several panel discussions on different "queer issues," a fantastic talent show, drag queen and king workshops, and co-sponsored a dance with Society Electronica. But overall, the mission of the Co-op is to make Yale a safe, comfortable place for queer people to live, work, learn, and play, without having to sacrifice any bit of their identity (or identities).

Still, organized queerdom is not for everyone. There are plenty of other places to find queer Yalies, including singing groups, sports teams, classes, and your residential college. The gay and straight communities at Yale intersect all over the campus. Whether you row, write computer programs, or do theater, you can find other queer students—if that's what you want. Just know that there are options out there, and you are definitely not alone!

Graphic by Sara Edward-Corbett.

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