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Dear Dr. Jolt,

My roommate opted to do the Day of Silence supporting those persons who are not open about their sexuality or still in the closet. At first what started off as a joke, soon turned into a personal attack. He called me a closet gay. I was stunned and hurt. What I find more disturbing, however, is that I was offended by being called gay. Granted I'm not gay, but what does it say about me that I am ashamed to be labeled as gay... Why is it a bad thing?

Signed,
Homophobic

Dear Homophobic,

I find myself asking the same thing sometimes. I'm sure your roommate had to have thought about this at some point too; whether this was during his time of silence, previous to it, or as a result of it. I think this is one point of the day of silence....to get people thinking about what that means to be gay, or just labeled gay. Does it really matter what people think your sexual preference is? If you were to wear a purple ribbon around campus, many people, I'm sure, would think automatically that you are gay or bi. How would this make you feel? Would you be upset or angry? Would it hinder your "progress" with the opposite sex? Would your friends still like you? Would your parents disown you? I don't think this kind of experiment would have these lasting effects. The problem in this, however, is the other point of the day of silence: discrimination. What if it weren't just a purple ribbon you wore, but you were actually gay or labeled as gay? Some people would indeed discriminate against you. I don't believe anyone should be discriminated against. We are not in a position to judge people in this way.

A reason that you feel being called gay is a bad thing is because of what society tells you. Our society has made it to where people feel ashamed if they are labeled gay. Heterosexuals don't want to be labeled something they're not and homosexuals don't want to be labeled something they are, which is the cause for so many people that are "in the closet". They are ashamed to let people know about themselves. Now, personally, I don't think sexuality is something that must be proclaimed one way or another. Sure, heterosexuality is the assumption, which means that nothing has to be said when you are heterosexual. There are no in-the-closet straights. However, this aspect of your life is just that, an aspect. It is not who you are. The fact that you like women has no bearing on your personality and/or nature. Just be who you will be, regardless of sexuality.

Being ashamed to be labeled as gay is simply a product of society. This will not change unless we change.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jolt, S.D. (serious doctor)

DISCLAIMER: Obviously, Dr. Jolt doesn't actually hold any official medical degree. Dr. Jolt does in no way represent the official stance of the Daily Jolt and is in no way affiliated with Franklin and Marshall College. You reserve the right to completely ignore his ramblings.

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