October 20, 2011
This year’s “Out & Ally” List, published on National Coming Out Day and printed on page 4 of this week’s issue of The Spectator, is an important step toward creating a safe and open environment for LGBT students.
We applaud Amit Taneja, director of the Days-Massolo Cultural Education Center (CEC), for implementing Hamilton’s first “Out & Ally” List this year as part of the celebration of LGBT history month. The list provides support for LGBT students and faculty at Hamilton and asserts the student body’s capacity to unify in support of a cause important to fellow students. The list is a subtle yet powerful way to make the campus more aware of our LGBT peers and remind us of the issues that they face on an everyday basis. We believe that signing this list is the least we can do as members of the Hamilton community to make others aware of the accepting and safe atmosphere we foster here at Hamilton.
According to national statistics, two percent of the population identifies as LGBT. This percentage correlates proportionally with the number of LGBT members who signed Hamilton’s “out” list, indicating that many LGBT students and faculty feel safe enough on our campus to publicly expose something that is deeply personal. Although some of us may take that for granted, it is important to reiterate that the student body is, as a whole, extremely tolerant and welcoming. In addition, such a list is in line with our College’s motto, “Know Thyself,” which speaks to individuality and self-awareness. Internalization of this motto should also encourage Hamilton community members to embrace one another’s sexuality, in all of the term’s varying gradations. We hope that students will continue to take this list seriously and respectfully.
We also look forward to the list becoming an annual tradition. Its implementation, however, might need some improvements. Better publicity would likely increase participation; a number of students didn’t sign simply because they did not know it existed (many all-campus emails find their way into the trash folder even before being opened). One way to better advertise this initiative would have been to distribute posters and fliers around campus. In the future, students who are passionate about these issues could also strike up a conversation about it with their friends and professors.
Another concern the list raises is its implicit categorization of people and its tendency to perpetuate labels. We should not assume that sexuality is black and white; rather, it is spread across a diverse continuum. Therefore, it may not be entirely accurate or astute to ask people to classify themselves as plainly “out” or an “ally.” Those not ready to come out may feel uncomfortable when faced with this choice, and still others may be unsure as to where they fit.
All in all, though, the “Out & Ally” list furthers our community’s goal of making everyone aware of and engaged in LGBT issues. Publishing this list on National Coming Out day is a great way to involve those who may not have otherwise participated in the other events held during LGBT history month. This accomplishment in and of itself that raises awareness of the issues faced by of the LGBT community.