Hearty congratulations to SMU

By Heather Murphy

The Princeton Review has listed its annual college rankings, and Southern Methodist University has made the list- #14 of the 20 most homophobic schools in the country.  Congratulations, SMU!  The George W Bush Presidential Library should be right at home on your campus.  Keep up the good work!

A search of Facebook reveals that, of more than 10,000 students, exactly 30 have indicated on their profiles that they are gay or lesbian.  That's a mighty crowded closet they have down at SMU.

Now, my alma mater would have been proud to be on that list.  In fact, I'm a little disappointed that they aren't; according to the Dallas Voice article, SMU has both domestic partner benefits for employees and a GLBT support organization for students, neither of which I think exist back at good ol' Milligan College. 

School is starting again, and a lot of closeted GLBT people are heading back to Southern Methodist University.  Some of them might well be reading this very blog, and I'll bet they've heard the news of their university's achievement, too.  Hello, brothers-an'-sisters!  Have you considered what would happen if a significant number of you came out as you start school this year?  You're not wrong to be scared about it.  You're right that you'll meet hostility, and probably lose some friends.  Of course, you will also probably make some friends, and you won't have to worry about people discovering your shameful secret anymore.  And you might be able to help change the feelings of your fellow students- and that, brothers and sisters, might just help to change the future of the Methodist Church.  You might even help make it a little less scary for next year's class of freshmen to decide whether to come out or live in the closet.  But it isn't my place to tell you to do it- that's your decision, and you're the one who has the power to decide how, and when, you come out. 

If you are thinking about making this school year your coming-out year, Southern Methodist University's GLBT support group is called Spectrum.  Looks like a fun bunch of people.  There's also a group called Allies looking out for your interests.  The faculty advisor is Karen Click. 

The Human Rights Campaign has some excellent advice for people who are considering coming out.  I made use of their web site when I was coming out and found it really helpful.

May God go with you, whatever choice you make.  I'll be praying for you.