She says she did not feel comfortable raising the topic because she did not “want to be that token lesbian raising the issue.” “I just kept my mouth shut,” she says.
“There’s this idea here, and in the U.S. and the rest of the world, that gay things only matter to gay people,” Wang adds. “Heterosexism can range from crushing ignorance to sometimes well-intentioned ignorance.”
WORKING TOWARDS ACCEPTANCE
Queer students say that the lack of full integration at Harvard is not unique to the University.
“Again [heterosexism is] something that’s a national trend, but Harvard doesn’t do enough to counter it,” Poteat adds.
But College administrators say that their data indicates otherwise. After having concluded a year-long analysis of attitudes in the Harvard community toward queer issues, the GLBTQ Task Force concluded that the College has created a largely friendly environment for its queer population.
“What we learned is that this a very welcoming and inclusive place, but there was a recommendation that we made some improvements in these areas,” Dean of Student Life Suzy M. Nelson says.
To address students’ concern that sexuality is often ignored in the classroom, Nelson says the administration will encourage more classes to include material on the issue.
The Task Force’s report, released last month, recommended that the College establish a more visible LGBTQ resource center with a full-time staffer. The administration immediately acted upon this and the Queer Resource Center—currently located in a closet-like space in the basement of Thayer Hall and run by students—will be located in Boylston Hall and staffed by a full-time administrator next year.
Though the center could possibly further sequester some of the College’s gay population away from the rest of the student body, Poteat says that this center is necessary for queer students on campus.
“To say that greater queer visibility is going to polarize the queer community is to take for granted the heterosexism on campus,” Perkovich says.
Despite the challenges that queer students say they face on campus, they note that they are not without hope for the future.
“I think that allies are finding it hard to have a voice in LGBT issues,” says Wang. “Many are still trying to find a voice. Without institutional support there is a sense that vocalization is exceptional and unique, but I was heartened by the incoming class.”
She adds that the QSA introductory meeting “had an astounding attendance at prefrosh weekend from people who were there just supporting.”
—Staff writer Tara W. Merrigan can be reached at tmerrigan@college.harvard.edu.