I have always had strong convictions, but I would not be a candidate for a Juris Doctorate if it were not for May 25, 1998. On that day, my parents confronted me with a simple, yet life-altering plea. They said, "Please tell us you're not gay." In a moment of sheer confusion and panic, I confessed my secret of eighteen years. I came out.
They said all the sterotypical statements that most parents of gay children say, such as "Maybe you haven't found the right girl yet," and "It's just a phase," but ultimately they were frightened. They were scared that their only son, whom they had nurtured in such a safe environment, would be thrown into a world that candidly and harshly discriminates against gay and lesbian people. They were worried that no one could protect me, not even the legal system. Their anxiety was and remians a rational response. As of November 2002, no fedral law protects the rights of gay and lesbian people. There have been ample attempts for hate-crime legistlations, yet such a bill has stll not passed on the fedral level. Numerous cities have passed anti-discrimination policies that protect gay and lesbian people, including Lousiville, Columbus, and Dayton, yet Cincinnati Council members are prohibited from even proposing legislation that would protect people of homosexual orientation. In 1993, Cincinnati passed Issue 3, resulting in the city charter article 12, which prevents the proposal of legislation to protect gay or lesbian people. In a sense, I live in a city that went back in time, futher then any city in this country, with the exception of Colorado. In 1993, Coloradoans approved a law very similar to Cincinnati's. This law was eventually heard by the Supreme Court, which found the bill "unconstitutional."
My sophomore year in college I attended a panel discussion called "Being Gay at Xavier." After seeing so many students go to the discussion with such great questions, I realized something needed to be done in regards to sexual orientation at Xavier University. I soon thereafter organized a petition to issue a statement of welcoming to gay and lesbian students, faculty, staff and alumni. In one week on campus, I ralled enough people to receive over twelve hundred signatures, roughly one-third of the student body. The petition led to a resolution passed by studnet senate, which advanced to the university president. He then issued the first welcoming statement by a Jesuit University.
While the welcoming statement gave me a sense of accomplishment, my next goal was to put into some kind of visible change. My junior year I organized The Xavier Allicance, a gay/straight alliance, officially recognized by student government. The Xavier Allicance now has over fifty members and twenty-four faculty sponsors, from almost every department on campus, whom have verbally agreed to endorse the club. As the former president of the Alliance, I planned and implement a program bringing Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, to Xavier's campus with a sold-out crowd of eight hundred. I also developed and produced two panel discusssions, "Race and Homosexuality," and "homosexuality in the Catholic Tradition," both well-attended events opening dialouge throughout the unviersity on gay and lesbian issues.
I have taken my enthusiasm outside of the Xavier community by being elected to the Board of Trustees of Stonenwall Cincinnatti, a local human rights organization, whose mission is to work on behalf of all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to end discrimination and violence, and to promote cultural inclusion through education, advocacy and outreach. I was appointed to the board of Citizens to Restore Fairness, an organization whose purpose is to repeal Issue 3 in Cincinnati's city charter. I too work with GLSEN, the Gay, Lesiban Straight Education Neetwork and PFLG, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Through these organizations I have spoken to high schools and colleges throughout Cincinnati on diversity topics. On March second, 2002, I recieved the annual Gene Schmeling PFLAG award of excellence for leadership and service to the Cincinnati community. In April, I was presented with Xavier Uniersity's 14th annual Cultural Diversity Award and recognized for founding the organization entitled "New Organization of the Year."
Having finished my undergraduate education and entered into law schol, the need for gay and lesbian action remians at the forefront of my intentions. Through my experience, bother personal and public, I am devoted to finding a permanent way that all people can live with equal and just rights. Law school is providing me with knowledge and wisdom to turn my aspirations into reality through education, advocacy and experience.
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