Among the various views on homosexuality that students have, based on their backgrounds, cultures or religions, it cannot be ignored that there exists a certain amount of hostility towards the GLBTQ community. Although it may not seem significantly present in the sense that one will experience a homophobic situation on a day-to-day basis, it is for those directly dealing with the issue of homophobia.

“It’s definitely present and it manifests itself in different ways at different times to different people,” says Kelsey Gasseling, president of the GLBTQ Leadership Council (GLC).

Homophobia is defined as an irrational fear of homosexual men and women. Now, in no way am I arguing that those who have a negative view towards the GLBTQ community are irrational, I am sure they have reasons for having these particular views.

Homophobia becomes an issue when it is direct. Gasseling explains: “No one has been aggressive to me, for example, by calling me a dyke or by other derogatory names to my face.” However, the situation of ‘direct’ homophobia changes whether one is female or male. Gasseling explains that some of her male homosexual friends have been labeled by derogatory names, and that the insults came primarily from other non-homosexual males.

And homophobia is not just name-calling, it can also involve making someone feel uncomfortable or as if they don’t belong.

One must also consider the other type of human population on this campus: the professors and the Jesuits.

Although, Gasseling shares that it is a “mixed bag” in terms of the amount of support given by professors, homophobic views are still expressed occasionally. There have been cases when professors or advisors will counsel students on the assumption that they are non-GLBTQ students. One such example was a friend of Gasseling who asked his advisor for an opinion about a certain class dealing with HIV and AIDS in America. The advisor replied negatively and expressed that it was most likely a class taught in a ‘gay’ perspective. He further stated that the student (Gasseling’s friend) did not need to ‘clutter’ his mind with such things.

It must be considered that, though professors are generally supposed to treat students equally, homophobic tendencies do exist.

Some students, or professors, may argue that being a Jesuit school BC should not feel the need to make its GLBTQ students welcome; under the assumption that GLBTQ students chose to come to Boston College and were aware of its religious affiliations.

“No one has called me a sinner to my face. But I am sure there are catholic students who have that view considering some of the articles that have been published,” Gasseling expresses.

Although this is the view of some catholic students, many Jesuits on campus believe that the university should not discriminate against the GLBTQ community. There should not be a conflict between being GLTBQ and being a part of the Catholic religion, as these are two different components that make up part of one’s identity. Sadly, many students remain homophobic in terms of the GLBTQ community and the Catholic religion.

Gasseling reflects: “It’s a heavy weight in my chest, a deep sorrow that people feel this way.”

Nonetheless the majority of insensitive remarks are a result of ignorance and assumption. Many non-GLTBQ students express homophobic thoughts through their choice of words. Have you heard the expressions “That’s so gay” or “Stop being such a homo?”  Though one may not realize it at the time, these expressions are laden with controversy. How do you describe what is ‘gay?’ What is being a homo? Gasseling reacts by saying “What do you really mean?”

And although many would object to by saying they do not actually mean it in a discriminative way, one must compare it to a racial slur. You would not let someone use an expression that discriminated against a certain race, would you? It just comes down to ignorance and a lack of dignity to stand up to such expressions.

To another degree, assumptions can give off a homophobic environment. For instance, professors may be discussing issues of sexuality and ask a woman about an ideal husband or a man about an ideal wife. The assumption is that homosexuality is non-existent. Many of the foundations of this assumption are based on the way a homosexual person is ‘supposed’ to look, essentially the stereotype of a homosexual.

The matter of homophobia’s presence on the Boston College campus is more a result of ignorance and assumption. Homophobia seems to be caused by people not really thinking before they speak and stereotyping. Although the GLC has made a lot of effort to raise awareness and support through various events across the semester, their most recent effort Queer Peers, the BC campus remains generally unaware. Unaware of what the people around them may be facing and unaware of how they affect the people around them. BC is not a homophobic environment. It is simply an ‘unaware’ one, one that needs to take a few more steps in acceptance of the differences between individuals.