In the past couple weeks I’ve read a lot about the Campus Climate Survey, and one of the things that surprised me was the way it talked about heterosexism on campus.

“Compared with 44 percent of heterosexuals, 65 percent of sexual minorities had observed or personally been made aware of [harassment].” Like many students, I had assumed that this wasn’t really an issue at Carleton, and the results challenged me to think seriously about the topic.

I’ve since become a panelist on the LGBTA Panels that the Gender and Sexuality Center organizes. These panels typically include two homosexual students and one ally. Each panelist tells the story of how they became aware of their sexuality or, in the case of the ally, how they became an advocate for the LGBT community.

The panels usually visit different floors and speak to groups of freshmen. I remember seeing the panel last year and I saw another one this year, and both were very good. At a two hour workshop last Sunday, I wrote and practiced telling my own story. The process of becoming a panelist has made me more aware of the issues faced by the LGBT community.

This is one way in which I’m trying to respond positively to the issues presented in the Campus Climate Survey. I’m looking forward to being part of my first panel this Sunday.