2008 Woodie Awards
Safe Space is a Safe Bet
Sherri Daus
Issue date: 11/20/03 Section: Opinions
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Safe Space is a program that should have been implemented long ago. Homosexuals should be allowed the same rights as any other minority group, whether on campus or off. Considering college is a time when young adults are supposed to be broadening their world views and learning to think critically outside the box, then what better place to practice tolerance and understanding?
Lakeland College is well known for its diversity. People from all over the world come to our small campus-people of various ethnic and religious backgrounds, adult students, single parents, and recently married students. It makes sense that we would find sexual diversity here as well. Not only will Safe Space encourage and help those students questioning sexual identity on campus, but it can serve to increase admissions as prospective students learn Lakeland can be a home for everyone.
Safe Space is a program in which students can safely talk about what they are feeling and why. They can do so in privacy without fear of judgment and retribution. They can ask questions, discuss fears, report problems, and nobody has to know except the person they are talking to. I say it's about time. Hopefully the program will also serve to educate people, especially those narrow minded individuals who bash the sexual preferences of others while they continue to rent girl-on-girl porno movies.
Lakeland College has a responsibility to all its students, whether they are gay, or lesbian, bisexual, or just curious-the same responsibility they have to ensure foreign students are comfortable on campus. After the 9/11 incident, college campuses around America strove to educate students about Arab people and their culture in an effort to stem the possibility of violence based on prejudice. Don't we have a responsibility to do the same for those with differing sexual views?
Some people say that the Bible condemns the practice of homosexuality, but it also says we shouldn't give worship to other gods or false idols, and look at the number of religions in the United States alone. We don't condemn people from other countries because of their religious beliefs. The Bible also tells us to love one another as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
Isn't it time we actually put that into practice? Or are we a world of self-haters?
Safe Space should become a regular part of Lakeland College. Anyone who doesn't think so should think about transferring to a less open-minded and tolerant campus. I am sure they will be welcomed with open arms...as long as they aren't perceived as different.
Lakeland College is well known for its diversity. People from all over the world come to our small campus-people of various ethnic and religious backgrounds, adult students, single parents, and recently married students. It makes sense that we would find sexual diversity here as well. Not only will Safe Space encourage and help those students questioning sexual identity on campus, but it can serve to increase admissions as prospective students learn Lakeland can be a home for everyone.
Safe Space is a program in which students can safely talk about what they are feeling and why. They can do so in privacy without fear of judgment and retribution. They can ask questions, discuss fears, report problems, and nobody has to know except the person they are talking to. I say it's about time. Hopefully the program will also serve to educate people, especially those narrow minded individuals who bash the sexual preferences of others while they continue to rent girl-on-girl porno movies.
Lakeland College has a responsibility to all its students, whether they are gay, or lesbian, bisexual, or just curious-the same responsibility they have to ensure foreign students are comfortable on campus. After the 9/11 incident, college campuses around America strove to educate students about Arab people and their culture in an effort to stem the possibility of violence based on prejudice. Don't we have a responsibility to do the same for those with differing sexual views?
Some people say that the Bible condemns the practice of homosexuality, but it also says we shouldn't give worship to other gods or false idols, and look at the number of religions in the United States alone. We don't condemn people from other countries because of their religious beliefs. The Bible also tells us to love one another as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
Isn't it time we actually put that into practice? Or are we a world of self-haters?
Safe Space should become a regular part of Lakeland College. Anyone who doesn't think so should think about transferring to a less open-minded and tolerant campus. I am sure they will be welcomed with open arms...as long as they aren't perceived as different.