Tufts observed National Coming Out Day on Wednesday amid much fanfare. A large crowd gathered at the Mayer Campus Center to hear speeches about overcoming anti-gay discrimination and to show support for students and faculty from the queer community while gay-pride flags fluttered across campus.
The recent string of highly publicized teen suicides brought anti-gay bullying to the center stage, resulting in what speakers called one of the highest turnouts in the history of the event at Tufts. Meanwhile, a contingent of Jumbos traveled to the Massachusetts State House to attend a candlelight vigil for the victims of gay-related bullying who have died recently.
Many in the queer community questioned how we as a society would respond in the wake of these tragedies. The answer from Tufts was both strong and powerful. Rainbow-colored flags, distributed for free as part of a collaboration between a number of Tisch Scholars and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Center, adorned the windows of student residences as a symbolic recognition of the celebration. Some fraternity houses joined in this show of support, sending a strong signal and going a long way toward dispelling the myth that fraternity culture endorses hyper-masculinity.
University President Lawrence Bacow echoed these actions by sending an e-mail to the Tufts community encouraging participation in Coming Out Day activities, clearly defining the university's stance on this issue in a commendable and inspiring manner. Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman sent a letter through the Daily to the student community, directly addressing the recent suicides and associated discrimination, as well as encouraging students to attend the Coming Out Day rally.
From the average Tufts student to top-level university administrators, the response was remarkable. In other words, the message of support the Tufts community sent echoed across the Hill.
As a community, we must be pleased with this overwhelming display of solidarity. It speaks to our community's sense of inclusivity, as well as the compassion we have for marginalized groups.
Coming Out Day is about awareness. It is about making oneself known, either as a member of the LGBT population or as an ally; this year and last, the LGBT Center compiled and published a list of members of the Tufts community whom distressed LGBT students can turn to in a time of need.
The pride we should feel for this demonstration of campus unity must not engender a sense of complacency. It is easy to dismiss this topic now that the week is over and as the recent deaths fade from memory. To fly our flags for a week is not enough. This issue requires commitment — a continued level of participation in the push for gay rights throughout the year and throughout our lives.
Our calendars are spread thin with similar times of "awareness." Subjects like breast cancer, black history and gay rights are not finite issues — they deserve more than just a day, week or month. If we hope to make progress on these fronts, our awareness cannot be contained within a time period; they must continue to have a lasting impact on our day-to-day lives and our society.
So keep your flags flying high, even when the weather turns. Continue to refrain from using the words "gay" or "faggot" in a nonchalant, derogatory way. And, at the very least, be there for your friends and family — no matter who they are or whom they choose to love.
