Spring Break
Bisexual student shares own experiences
Martin, Kristoffer
Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: Letters
After reading the article written recently by Jessica Janiuk, I wanted to extend another point of view on the topic. I myself am bisexual, and often, on campus and in the dorms, I have to deal with the inconsiderateness of my fellow students.
Each person, I would guess, has their own sexuality that really can't, or maybe shouldn't, be defined. I do agree with Janiuk that transgender persons and people of non-traditional sexuality are being discriminated against, even in this very open campus. I've seen many things that have often actuated the sense of disdain by other students toward me and other bi, gay, lesbian and transgender persons on campus.
For one, on my floor, I often here people using terms as "homo," "gay" and other terms I don't deem appropriate for newspaper use. Most of the time the terms are used in demeaning and derogatory ways.
I agree wholeheartedly with Janiuk about gender and sexuality being separate; it is my belief that my sexuality, being a bi man, is related to how I feel about a person, regardless of their gender. My sexuality is based upon the connection I have to the person I'm in love with, and not necessarily a physical attraction.
I'm often posed the question, (and dramatically so by one of my roommate's friends) as to what makes me attracted to guys. I found it hard to answer because of my beliefs, and now, after contemplating it for some time, since I was last posed the question, I came up with the answer above.
I would hope that people would become more open to individuality, instead of the social standards that tradition has imposed on us. Not only have I had to deal with my family's disappointment in me for being bisexual, but I've had to deal with the loss of friends and the discrimination of people who I don't even know.
In any case, I whole heartedly support Janiuk and the idea of individuality as a whole. I believe that those who would construe and mislead people as to what
is right and wrong should take a step back and look more carefully, and not
bash or disregard people of any orientation.
Kristoffer Martin
Freshman
Each person, I would guess, has their own sexuality that really can't, or maybe shouldn't, be defined. I do agree with Janiuk that transgender persons and people of non-traditional sexuality are being discriminated against, even in this very open campus. I've seen many things that have often actuated the sense of disdain by other students toward me and other bi, gay, lesbian and transgender persons on campus.
For one, on my floor, I often here people using terms as "homo," "gay" and other terms I don't deem appropriate for newspaper use. Most of the time the terms are used in demeaning and derogatory ways.
I agree wholeheartedly with Janiuk about gender and sexuality being separate; it is my belief that my sexuality, being a bi man, is related to how I feel about a person, regardless of their gender. My sexuality is based upon the connection I have to the person I'm in love with, and not necessarily a physical attraction.
I'm often posed the question, (and dramatically so by one of my roommate's friends) as to what makes me attracted to guys. I found it hard to answer because of my beliefs, and now, after contemplating it for some time, since I was last posed the question, I came up with the answer above.
I would hope that people would become more open to individuality, instead of the social standards that tradition has imposed on us. Not only have I had to deal with my family's disappointment in me for being bisexual, but I've had to deal with the loss of friends and the discrimination of people who I don't even know.
In any case, I whole heartedly support Janiuk and the idea of individuality as a whole. I believe that those who would construe and mislead people as to what
is right and wrong should take a step back and look more carefully, and not
bash or disregard people of any orientation.
Kristoffer Martin
Freshman