Comments on: Does SMU belong on homophobic schools list?

By: John Vance

John Vance — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

She is the reigning Miss Gay Texas FFI. Our community has multiple pageantry systems that people that are afforded to participate in, i.e. FFI, USofA, America, EOY, Continental, Unlimited, etc…the list goes on.

So I ask that you please state the full title that an entertainer has won in the future. Thanks!

By: michele

michele — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I am an open lesbian who teaches in a Meadows department at SMU. We have partner benefits and my partner is invited to all events to which spouses are invited. We have always been treated with respect. I work with numerous openly gay staff and faculty. All of my students know I’m gay. It has never been an issue at SMU.
I have taught more than a few out students and at least in Meadows their fellow students don’t seem to care about their orientation.

By: kelli Busey

kelli Busey — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I am a transgender woman, resident of Dallas and was a contributing author for the Methodist Reconciling Ministries Network in 2008. I was surprised last year after hearing about this ranking and contacted Karen Click and a number of current students and alumni. I could not find anyone who could confirm the validity of the Princeton review.
Last year I attended the transgender day of remembrance (DOR)candle light vigil that was hosted Spectrum and the women’s center at SMU. I am very thankful for the hard work and that heartfelt sincere ceremony.
I understand that the Princeton review obtains it’s ranking information from confidential student reviews and there are some safeguards to insure ballot box stuffing does not occur. I also understand that yearly updates are not automatic.

Current students afraid of peer pressure and those who have found employment and owe there allegiance to SMU would place themselves at risk if they came out in support of the Princeton reviews ranking.

This leaves doubt.

Is this ranking the only way for the truth to be exposed? Is the homophobia like water about to overflow an administrative dam?

Or is this all misinformation?

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think things have come a long way at SMU compared to when I was there in the late 80s. Back then, the gay group met in secret and you had to be screened by the faculty mbr first, I guess to make sure you were “really” gay.

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Recent graduate of SMU, here, and convinced that the ranking is accurate. The only people to say otherwise, so far, are from the MSA and the Women’s Center. There is a world of difference between the ARTS SCHOOL and the rest of SMU. Also, not to fault Joe, but as coordinator of admissions in Meadows, he has to find a way to tell gay artists that they would be comfortable at SMU. It’s bound to be a big part of his job. Gay groups and events have very low attendance, many students spend all four years in the closet, homophobic opinion pieces are published in the campus paper with a fairly annual regularity… SMU may be better than it was, it may have official policies protecting faculty. But it still belongs on the list. And you know why? Because it still shares a very important characteristic with the Baptist, Mormon, and Catholic schools on the list – two thirds of the students have a religious affiliation, and most are of the Highland Park variety. Compare that to the one third of students at NYU, Princeton Review’s #1 gay friendly school. It’s not a coincidence.

By: George Henson

George Henson — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

As a gay man who has taught at SMU for six years, I second Travis’ observation. Meadows is a world unto itself at SMU. I am glad that Joe has had nothing but positive experiences at SMU. His experience, however, has more to do with Meadows than it does SMU.
Four years ago, I came to work one morning to find the word FAGGOT written, not just on my office door, but on the ALLIES sticker on my door. ALLIES is a faculty/staff group that provides support to LGBT students. When I reported the crime to President Turner’s office, I was asked, “What would you like us to do?” I gave President Turner’s assistant a list of actions, which included placing a statement from President Turner on the website. All of my recommendations were rejected. When the Daily Campus reported the incident, one student wrote a column stating that gays’ “flamboyant, in-your-face approach [made him] gag.” Another student wrote a column so offensive that the Daily Campus wouldnâ€™t publish it. My guess is that the student wouldn’t be that supportive of Joe’s alter ego, Jenna Skyy. I am also convinced, having received dozens of letters from parents over the years, that there are more than a few parents who wouldn’t be thrilled about the prospect of their children going to a school that employs a female impersonator in a recruitment position.

Yes, SMU has same-sex partner benefits; yes, the faculty and administration tends to be supportive; but there is still a great deal of homophobia among the student body. Students in Meadows may feel comfortable being out, but I suggest it’s not because SMU is a gay-friendly place, rather because people involved in the arts tend to be in the avant-garde in issues related to diversity. When SMU links to a story about Jenna Skyy and places a photo of â€œherâ€ on its main page, I’ll believe that the school is making progress.

Joe’s job is to present SMU in its best possible light. But it does no one a service to paint a rosier picture than actually exists. One of SMU’s problems is its inability — refusal — to acknowledge its flaws. My hope is that Joe’s experience in Meadows be duplicated campus-wide. Maybe Joe will agree to write a series of columns addressing the issue for the Daily Campus. I, for one, would welcome the dialogue.

By: Beau Heyen

Beau Heyen — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

As a student at Perkins School of Theology at SMU I have to add that our department is rather open, but many are not. I think that we have to seperate what the faculty/staff experience with what the students experience. The staff and faculty, includig the amazing work of the Women’s Center, are doing their best to reach out to the LGBTQA population. They have hosted numerous events, inclusing Gayla Prom, Transgender Day of Remembrance and a discussion on Stonewall. However, the conservative base of students are still not open to LGBTQA needs. SPECTRUM, the Gay-Straight Alliance at SMU, is also working hard to change this.

By: BobTaylor

BobTaylor — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I completely applaud Joe aka Jenna Sky for his contributions to not only the art form of female impersonation, but also for his undying belief that we all should be treated equally! You rock Joe! Keep up the good work!

By: George Henson

George Henson — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I applaud Joe/Jenna, too. My comments in no way were intended to diminish his accomplishments, only temper what may be an idealized image of SMU.

By: Justin Nichols

Justin Nichols — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

As a graduate of SMU, and having gone through my own saga of public drama over sexuality, I have to say that I found SMU to be a very welcoming place. I was in Dedman.

My admissions counselor was gay. The director of new student programs, a Baylor graduate who was also gay, and like me, a Republican. The director of my residence hall was gay, and in fact, caught me at a bar in Austin (underage) and held my feet to the fire for it! Arnold Jones, perhaps one of the smartest professors I had (and the most liberal), was not only gay, but offered me one of my most influential and challenging courses in civil rights. I had many positive gay role models at SMU, and found it to be a welcoming place – and NONE of them were at Meadows. If I had to say there was one school which was the most obnoxious about gay issues it was Meadows and its staff.

When I went through my saga with Collin County, I received countless letters and emails from former students, current SMU students, and faculty alike.

I do remember there being a group of gay students (I don’t remember the name). But, they would put on events like “MasQUEERades” and the like which just turned off the student body – and they should have. I was around when the “Faggot” incident occured on Mr. Hendson’s door. It was not pleasant. But the university did seem unified in its condemnation.

This is an reoccurring theme in the gay rights movement. Do we attempt to show how similar we are – just like everyone else, just with partners of our own gender? Or, do we be outrageous and as obnoxious as possible in hopes that people will give in – eventually. I subscribe to the former school of thought.