College grants us a unique opportunity: the ability to change ourselves in regard to how we come across to others. I came to Ithaca College with a combination of wonder and fear because, for once, I was able to be myself, which meant I could finally explore and express my sexual identity.

I went from high school, where I was closeted, to Ithaca Col- lege, where, for once, my sexuality did not matter, and I could be myself. As a freshman, I immersed myself in the college’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender com-munity. I went to BIGAYLA, inquired about Created Equal and became a volunteer at the Center for LGBT Education, Outreach and Services.

For once, the majority of my friends were similar to me – they identified as something other than heterosexual. But I’ve realized that although this cam-pus is better than others in terms of its treatment of LGBT people, it still has quite a way to go.

As GAYPRIL arrives, the LGBT people on campus are holding their breath to see how long the pride flag will fly. So far, it has been stolen every year that I have been here. When I toured the campus as a prospective student, I saw that rainbow flag flying underneath the American flag, and it meant the world to me. It was not until I arrived as a student that I realized the pride flag has a different meaning for others — it is a sitting duck. Each year, the barren pole has hurt more and more as the flag has become a trophy for someone else. And the flag stealing is indicative of a larger problem of disrespect and disinterest.

There have been some efforts to promote understand-ing of the LGBT community across campus. For example, there is the educational ZAP program. For those who still do not know, a ZAP panel is a panel of students of differing sexual and gender identities who share what it is like being LGBT. After speaking, the panel answers questions, which are essentially the most important part. I have come out to so many people through these panels but sometimes feel that I have done so in vain, changing nothing. But I continue to reach out to people anyway.

It has been found that if heterosexual people know someone who is LGBT, they are more willing to tolerate and eventually accept the entire community. I want this to prove true on this campus, especially when someone is being discriminatory. It would be wonderful if both heterosexuals and LGBT people could stand up to discrimination and tell offenders: “You shouldn’t say that because it hurts some people. In fact, some people I care about.” If I heard statements like this, I could feel truly welcomed because even if not everyone is going to respect me, at least there would be other people willing to step in on my behalf.

In light of the recent racial incidents and the issues LGBT people still face, I can only state that Ithaca College is not a safe place for all students. I am not expecting a Utopian community, but I do expect that Ithaca College will advocate for general awareness and understanding of all differences. They all need to be accepted.