I am an LGBTQ student. LGBTQ means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. Here at Syracuse University I feel lucky. I have the basic privilege of being open about my sexuality. I spend many hours taking courses about queer sexuality, studying sex and gender theory and really exploring the world of social identities. This is an area of academic interest for me, but it’s so much more. It’s personal. It’s my life.
Recently, I went to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Creating Change conference. To say it was one of the greatest experiences of my life seems cliché, but it is very much true. For four whole days I was allowed to feel like myself, to be myself, knowing that I would not be judged or discriminated against because of my sexual identity. It was also a great opportunity to meet other LGBTQ students from all over the country and talking with them made me realize how privileged I actually am.