Programkeeps campus aware of gay, lesbian, bisexualissues

by Jennifer Kietur assistant perspectives editor

People of different sexual orientations attended the forum, "Straight from the Heart," to voice their questions and concerns. The forum took place in the Xavier great room on Wednesday,April 9.

The program began with a short video titled "Straight from the Heart" which features parents and their gay children discussing coming to terms with homosexuality.

"The program is part of an effort to keep the Cabrini College community aware and sensitive of gay, lesbian and bisexual issues," said Carol Comito, a member of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual student group.

After the video, the panel discussed why they were there. Dave and Mary Jo Kane spoke about their son who is gay. "Our son is homosexual and we are very proud of hi~. There are just some words you don't use up," said ..

Kane.

Susan LeBoutillier is a lesbian with a live-in girlfriend and a 13year-old son. "It is hard to have kids when you are gay. It is hard on my 13-year-old son. I pretty much have to pretend that I am not a lesbian for the sake of my son," said LeBoutillier. "He- still has to make the leap and tell someone that his mom is gay and he is petrified of his friends finding out. He found out I was gay when he was eight years old and it has been •a gradual process ever since."

One of the main topics of the night was how parents deal with their children "coming out of the closet.'' Parents who attended said they are. still proud of their children and they do not hate them because they are gay. Most parents said they were shocked at their child's disclosure and they did not understand why their child was gay. Education was the key to their acceptance.

All of the panel members were part of a group called Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

PFLAG is a nationwide organization consisting of 50,000 members in 200-300 chapters. Their purpose is to try to educate the public about the homophobia that exists, to act as a support group to families and to educate and advocate equal rights for gays.

PFLAG chapters are used to lobby senators in Washington, educate the public and many people who are still in the closet and do not get involved.

Legally, homosexuals cannot be fired from their jobs or have housing refused to them just for being gay.

"I am hoping that one day people will accept it. Many good things are happening. Although discrimination is sometimes subtle, it is still happening. Family and friends need to show support because coming out is a sensitive issue. Sometimes it is hard to put things into words," Kane said.