First of all, Semple’s arithmetic leaves something to be desired: it’s quite obvious that $25,000 is nowhere near the “quarter of a million dollars” he mentions towards the end of his article. However, that is not the only glaring mistake or questionable claim in his article.
According to Semple, “Canadian society has come to accept and even celebrate LGBTQ people.” As a gay man studying at U of T with a much different experience, I question his authority. Contrary to Semple’s assertion, and despite some political progress, LGBTQ people continue to face fear and violence in school, at work, and in the community at large. Only three weeks ago, an active LGBTOUT member was threatened with rape on campus. Most of us hear hateful remarks and derogatory jokes on a regular basis. The effect of these daily indignities should not be underestimated because the fear of an insult escalating into violence is too real, and the occurrence too common.
U of T’s LGBTQ hate crimes reporting website cites dozens of incidences of violence, verbal assaults, graffiti and vandalism each year, and those are only the incidents that people decide to report. It is irresponsible of Semple to dismiss our experiences and to sweep real problems under the rug by claiming that “the term ‘homophobia’ is being tossed around like confetti.”–a much bleaker picture than the colourful and celebratory image that confetti offers.
The history of the Homohop is also quite different than Semple account suggests. The HangaR was taken away from SAC and closed voluntarily by U of T Ancillary Services, and we were met with great resistance when SAC and LGBTOUT tried to reclaim this invaluable student-run space. Closing the HangaR had a disproportionate effect on LGBTQ students who already had very few safe places to go to. No drug use was ever reported to LGBTOUT when the Homohop was held at the Cat’s Eye. The Homohop stopped running at the Cat’s Eye simply because Victoria’s new dean and the new student council were unwilling to support the needs of the queer youth. For years, the Homohop has provided a safe place for hundreds of LGBTQ students and allies to socialize, and the University community should celebrate it as a successful model for all-ages events.
The LGBTQ community is an extremely diverse population with people from various races, ethnic backgrounds, genders, classes, ages, etc. We are not simply defined by “a certain set of sexual behaviour patterns”; we are defined by the common challenges we face. Ironically, Semple says he would support food banks or programs for the homeless without realizing that LGBTQ people are disproportionately represented among homeless populations, and often require specialized services to deal with the discrimination and isolation they experience.
Even at a diverse and urban campus, being out is rarely easy. Trudeau said that “there is no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation,” but the bedroom is not the only place where we express our affection and sexuality. So, unless LGBTQ people are no longer intimidated, alienated, threatened and bashed in school, at work or on the streets, many of us will continue to remain silent and closeted. LGBTOUT, a volunteer-based student organization, provides a crucial place of refuge, support and empowerment. It also provides many other essential political and social services to LGBTQ students and allies at U of T. With the 69-cent levy, LGBTOUT would have the financial stability to provide a wider range of services.
