Make the Coming Out Dance safe
Dear Editor:
Tonight is the Coming Out Drag Show and Dance at 10 p.m. in the Kagin ballroom! As the co-chair of the Queer Union, I invite you all to participate in a celebration of queerness at Macalester. I hope you all will help to foster a supportive environment for your GLBT peers. The new addition of this year's drag show will be a fun and exciting way to create a space where all gender expressions are affirmed and valued.
In the words of George Michael, "Sex is natural, sex is fun." Tonight can be about celebrating our sexuality, embracing our ability to love ourselves to full capacity and having a damn good time. Tonight can also be about getting drunk, feeling pressured to dress up super-slutty and forcing others to have sex with you. What kind of space do you want to create?
The kind of space that I want to create is one that allows queer students to feel safe at the dance. A space where we don't need ambulances to care for students with alcohol poisoning. A space where men do not think that a short skirt equals consent. A space where rape is not acceptable.
You don't have to be drunk to show up at the Coming Out dance. You don't have to hook up with someone at the end of the night. You don't have to wear the skimpiest clothes you can find.
On the other hand, you can do all of these things responsibly. Know your alcohol limit, take protection with you from the safer sex table and wear whatever you're comfortable wearing.
The Coming Out dance is meant to celebrate a sense of pride of who we are as people. Queer people aren't always allowed a space in which to do that. If you're a straight ally, it means that you are committed to a world where no one is judged on the basis of one's sexual orientation. Be an ally and please join the queer students tonight in validating our existence and pride in who we are.
Let's make tonight's dance a safe space for all people. Keep an eye on your roommate and your friends. Let's hold ourselves accountable for maintaining a space where we all can feel comfortable and safe.
Margalo Willard '03
Co-Chair, Queer Union
Greens respond, again
Dear Editor:
I am writing in response to Andrew Riely's article, "Green Party betrays itself" in the Oct. 4 Mac Weekly. I am an avid supporter of the Green Party, and yet, I am also someone who has voted Democratically in recent elections. I even skipped school during the last presidential election to get out the Democratic vote in support of Gore. However, this reactionary voting strategy is not one that I am particularly proud of because it proves the existence of the very problem the Green Party is determined to fight. The United States government is in such a monochromatic rut that the American people have virtually no power to enact change. The presence of the Green Party reminds all Democratic politicians that there are liberals out there that will not settle for lukewarm representation. The Green Party is not, as Riely said, "intent on defeating" Democrats like Wellstone, and they are certainly not "betraying the very principles for which they claim to stand" by participating in elections. Their principle is to make their liberal agenda known, which requires that they participate in elections. Their participation has absolutely nothing to do with defeating democratic candidates. The vote-dividing that causes Democrats not to be elected is, as Greens see it, a sorry by-product of change. Change cannot happen without risk, and if the Green party didn't make that claim in the name of liberals nation wide, no one would. The Green Party works to make the practice of representing liberal views more liberal, a goal that all liberals, even "mainstream Democrats" should support, not fear.
Maggie Sandford '05
That New York Times ad
Dear Editor:
A few facts on The New York Times ad. The ad actually didn't cost us anything because we paid for it as part of the two Kofi Annan ads we did last year. The Times gave us a free page. For a total of about $70,000 we got three full-page ads, which normally would have cost more than $200,000. That's a pretty good buy. Second, we have received incredibly positive feedback from alums, trustees and many others in the higher education community. Third, while we are all acutely aware of the budget deficit, these ads were paid for out of the fiscal year 2001-2002 budget. The budget deficit will occur for the 2003-04 budget year. Finally, I would argue that marketing the college, fundraising and other advancement work takes on even more importance when times are tough. Such work brings in added sources of revenue when the college most needs it.
Doug Stone
Director, College Relations
Arrows fly at love column
Dear Editor:
Millions upon millions of thanks to Ms. Dinsmore's love column for showing me the light to better love. The secret is out and I will no longer waste my time on studies and socializing. In order to help others, as Lucy has done so selflessly in her column, I intend to translate her words into simple commandments we can all follow:
1) "I think it's natural after two years without a serious boyfriend for sex to dominate one's thoughts." Translation: To get back into the dating scene, have sex with the first available prospective partner to get all that "sexual frustration" out of the way before you get serious.
2) "I think I might be ready for a real boyfriend now." Translation: Lower your standards for a relationship until after the one night stand expect the next guy or girl to take you and your feelings seriously (even if you don't).
3) I want to have that awkward first kiss … holding hands for the first time. . . the PDA … I want to feel butterflies." Translation: Go to Ramsey Junior High on Grand Ave, introduce yourself to the first seventh grader you see, have his or her mom drive you to Tuck Everlasting and then watch as the awkwardness unfolds.
4) "If all else fails, I'll always have my Ken doll." Translation: Buy a plastic doll and bring it to parties as your date. As long as it talks, who will know the difference, right?
5) "Take Lucy on a date and talk to her about what it is like to not be plastic." Translation: If you are so desperate for a date that you can't pay anyone to take you out, simply write your own sad ass excuse for a personal ad and watch as your little black book overflow.
To the editors: If I wanted lousy dating and sex advice from someone, I'd go talk to my local priest. As to Lucy; you don't need a "real boyfriend," you just need some arrows of reality shot into your head before you write another column.
Ashley Kile '05
