Place of our own, not segregation

I was recently interviewed for the Indiana Daily Student article “GLBT residents say city has few gay-only resources,” and I would like to clarify my stance on the issue of segregation.

I don’t believe we want to be segregated from the general public, but want to have a place of our own where we feel comfortable in our “gayness.”

Uncle Elizabeth’s is a great place, but clubs such as those in Indianapolis or Louisville or the late Bullwinkle’s would be nice as well.

For example, many straight people, men and women included, show up at clubs such as Talbott Street in Indianapolis because they like the atmosphere.

The point is not to have a “gay only” or a “lesbian only” place. However, it is important to have a place where it is OK to be GLBT and be comfortable in being who we are.

Each one of us is a part of many communities; we each have an intersection of multiple identities that consist of gender, faith, race, etc.  When a particular identity is under assault, we find the pillars of support, understanding and the shared reality in various locations that represent these identities.

We need places we can go to find others who share our reality, places where we can feel at home and where we don’t have to explain ourselves – a place where we can share this identity together.

I agree there have been significant advances concerning the acceptance and integration of the GLBT community in Bloomington. However, the reality exists that it is still legal to fire someone not only for being gay, but also for the very perception that the person may be gay.

We can also be denied housing if only perceived to be gay. Not to mention while many families love and support their sons or daughters, there are still some that kick their children out of their house if they are gay.

If no queer-themed spaces exist, then the choice to feel safe and accepted in these spaces is taken away. Where can GLBT folks go to meet other people who share their community?

Finally, Bloomington is a diverse community with many available opportunities to build friendships with a wide range of people. This does not go unknown or unappreciated. In Bloomington, people of all genders, sexual orientations, religions, etc., should be welcome.

This is the essence of Gay Bagels, a place where everyone is welcome and can be comfortable being who they are.

As seen by census data, Bloomington has the fifth-largest number of homosexual couples per capita in the United States.

It should be a point of focus by the City of Bloomington to make a large section of its community feel as welcome and included as possible. This includes a GLBT resource center, a club, continued support of GLBT area businesses and the community as a whole.

Bloomington is a great community and it is important IU students recognize that.

However, much can be done to improve GLBT relations.