On Tuesday April 9, dozens of students gathered in the University College Auditorium to hear what has been explained as “The Real Tea”. Encompassing everything from bisexuality and transgender to questioning whether or not your partner is gay was examined in an open conversation with Prairie View’s own Terrance Gilbert. ” I try my best to use my life experiences to share with others what many students are unenlightened about regarding homosexuality.” Graduating high school at age 15, Gilbert was no stranger to discrimination or persecution. Describing his after school as a living nightmare, Gilbert detailed horrific stories about having his car egged, being called names, and much worse as the seminar began. While some students were in utter shock, others said that they had no idea that people really endured this type of treatment. ” For the record I’m straight and I came to this seminar tonight to help me better understand my brother that’s gay, but I didn’t think that people really still treated other human beings like that” stated a male student who wanted to keep his name withheld.
Shortly after a colorful question and answer period, guest speaker Brandon Braud who is currently a Human Rights Campaign Coordinator for HBCUs was introduced. As he dissected some of the myths and tall tales that some people had about alternative lifestyles students continued to converse and debate about the controversies surrounding same sex relationships.
Clinical student Tommy Jones said, ” The seminar was very nice and well coordinated but even though I’m gay, but in defense of straight people I also personally feel that other gay people should not be so quick to take offense in how they project the gay stereotype. People are influenced by societal pressures and we can’t expect everyone we come into contact with to be as accepting of how we chose to live our lives.” Jones went on to add, “Yet on the other hand, gay or straight, people should take the time to become confident in their own sexuality and identities and in doing that others will respect you because you have displayed that you respect yourself.”
Currently the health and counseling center is in the process of developing a Gay- Lesbian-Transsexual support group for students who are experiencing depression or unbearable ridicule for alternative lifestyles.
For more information, dial ext. 2511. In addition to that, Delta Phi Upsilon is the first black national gay fraternity. Log on to www.dphi.org for the. .Real tea!