Letter to the editor: A simple plea from the LGBT community to ‘let us be’
My name is Kalyn Stroik and I am a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community.
Recently, the LGBT community at Carroll University has been under attack. Not only have our members suffered physical and verbal harassment, but our members have suffered extreme emotional distress at a place we should be able to call home. I am writing to The New Perspective for one reason alone. One statement. One message.
Let us be.
Many members of the gay and ally community might disagree with my message because in it, I am not demanding equality and justice. But I think in a way, I am. Queers and allies are just people. We live our lives, day in and day out, just like everyone else. We go to class, we pay bills, and we hang out with our friends. Our sexuality does not define us, but it is a part of us. Because of that private, intimate aspect of our lives, we consistently face adversity, especially in the United States, and especially in a conservative area like Waukesha.
I understand that a lot of people find our sexuality vile or immoral. I also realize that a lot of people simply don’t care about our woes and are indifferent to our movement. I may not respect those views or agree with them, but people have the right to think for themselves and live their lives as they please. In return, I ask that people simply let me and other queers live our own lives in peace, simply doing what makes us happy.
My plea is simple. If you do not like us, if you do not care about us, and if you do not agree with us, please ignore us. You don’t have to help us, but don’t hinder us. Let us go on our own path as you go on yours. Do not go out of your way to hurt us and to make us feel even more unwelcome at Carroll than we already are. Turn your cheek and walk away. Tolerate our presence and acknowledge our right to be who we are. But please, do not make anti-gay slurs, do not vandalize the place where we meet to build community, do not harm our bodies and do not partake in the intolerance that plagues our nation. Let us be.
Thank you, Kalyn M. Stroik