Viktor Frankl once stated, “Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one’s belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one’s right to believe, and obey, his own conscience.”
As someone who spends a great deal of time with the LGBTQ community, it was disturbing to read the opinion of a West Lafayette resident who feels the gay students on campus should attend elsewhere. The writer believes the students here “only complain” and they “go against traditional Boilermaker values.” I myself was not aware that as a Lafayette native, Purdue legacy, and Purdue student, the values of Boilermakers were those of bigotry and blatant loathing for a group which identifiescertain way.
The writer used the cliché of hating the sin but loving the sinner. The religious argument has been dissected and analyzed to the point it’s obvious those who use it are doing selected reading of the Bible. Leviticus has many other audacious claims, but this is not a discussion on Christianity and homosexuality. I have already written on that before.
No, the point of this article is to remindstudents that we are at a public university that plays a big role in the world. We set the example in multiple fields. If we were to do what the writer suggests and dismiss students who are LGBTQ, what would that tell the rest of the world? It’s okay to be gay, but not at Purdue? What if a major university decided they didn’t care much for the lifestyle choices of students who identified as Christian? They might not like the fact some abstain from sex until marriage, or that they protest for pro-life values. Would that be okay? No, it would cause a national uproar, as it should.
Tolerance is the key. You don’t have to like it. You don’t have to hang out with a particular group if you do not agree with its lifestyle choices or values. You simply put up with it by accepting different groups exist and go on with your life. Your everyday cycle will not be altered by their existence.
To all those who are offended by the LGBTQ community, think about who wrote ‘[A1] We Will Rock You’ the next time your stomping and clapping at your next sporting event. Neil Patrick Harris is incredibly popular for his humorous role in the Harold and Kumar series and portrays a notorious player on the hit comedy ‘How I Met Your Mother.’ The list could go on and on of popular and influential figures in society of those who are gay, bi, transgender, etc. Yet, we find ourselves conveniently letting go of those facts.
So, the writer and any student who thinks the students who go against “traditional Boilermaker values” should leave to another university need to realize nobody is going anywhere. These individuals are people just like you and me. We all have thoughts, feelings, ideas, and goals in life. All they simply ask is to be guaranteed similar protections that other minority groups receive here at Purdue.
