By Bobbi Becker, Special to the On-line Forty-Niner
April 21, 1997
Amy approached her dorm room anxiously wondering what would she find on her door this time. She looked behind to see if anyone was watching. Taking a nervous breath, she faced the door and gasped.
After quickly unlocking her door, she tore the taped note that had been hanging there for everyone to see. She cried as she read "Dyke lives here."
Until Sept. 30, 1991, gay Cal State Long Beach students like Amy had no where to go to feel safe on campus.
That is when a few dedicated students, with support from former CSULB President Curtis McCray, started the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Resource Center, which is celebrating its sixth anniversary.
Erin McLaughlin 26, student assistant at the LGBRC and graduate student, came out while attending CSULB in 1988.
She talked of personal testimonials from students describing incidents of harassment involving other classmates and faculty.
McLaughlin said she is serious about the needs of gay students. She has reached beyond what most people think of in terms of issues.
Domestic violence in the lesbian community is the topic for her master's thesis.
The language on domestic violence is limited to male-to-female relationships, McLaughlin said. There is little in the mental health field for gays and lesbians.
As a student at CSULB, McLaughlin said she knows the importance of the LGBRC.
Before its inception and even now, numerous incidents have occurred that support the need for a center.
When the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Students United posted a flyer early spring semester 1990 for a meeting, a group of unidentified students posted additional flyers underneath announcing a Bestiality and Incest Student Union. The gay students group went to McCray for support.
After an accumulation of incidents, the President' Commission on Campus Climate began documenting hate crimes at CSULB.
The president authorized research on gay and lesbian resource centoccurred that support the need for a center.
When the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Students United posted a flyer early spring semester 1990 for a meeting, a group of unidentified students posted additional flyers underneath announcing a Bestiality and Incest Student Union.
The gay students group went to McCray for support.
After an accumulation of incidents, the President' Commission on Campus Climate began documenting hate crimes at CSULB.
The president authorized research on gay and lesbian resource centoard listing housing, scholarships, events and meetings for the gay students' group and gay men's fraternity.
Being gay at CSULB brings about many challenges, McLaughlin said. One major emotional issue for students is coming out to families and friends.
The LGBRC provides support for their relationships and dating.
Students say they often feel unsafe talking about their partners in class. They come to the center to talk and feel normal, while seeing reflections of themselves through other students.
Two semesters ago, a member of the gay fraternity committed suicide. Alumna Carol Hass, the student assistant at the time, enlisted the help of different campus services involved in support and counseling.
Two bereavement groups were established to assist the students in their grief.
McLaughlin said the LGBRC still has work to do. Students at the center have complained about class discussions on gay and lesbian issues leading to harassment.
She hopes that sensitivity training can alleviate some of the hostility.
Rachel, a student in a psychology class, was asked by an instructor if he was covering all issues of diversity in his discussions. She pointed out that he was not addressing sexual orientation. The room got very quiet and the students whispered around her. Since the class discussion, she said, most students avoid her.
. Many instructors rarely mention gay, lesbian and bisexual issues unless the student brings it up. This means if a student wants to do a paper on a gay and lesbian topic, the work is doubled because of the lack of tolerance or because information is unavailable.
Student panels from the LGBRC help facilitate dialogue between classmates and instructors. This discussion is meant to encourage an awareness and understanding of the issues faced by gay students.
McLaughlin and her partner Karla Saldana have expanded their safe place inside the LGBRC walls to the outside. They are often seen holding hands walking through the university. Many students watch with puzzled and uncertain glances as if seeing that for the first time. For McLaughlin, if that is the worst thing that happens, then the LGBRC is providing a needed service.
Editor's note: Students' names have been changed to protect their identities.