GLBQ SUPPLEMENT

If we reach just one gay- basher and make him or her re-think how he or she behaves towards other human beings, we have at least partially fulfilled our purpose.

new light. This may be obvious to some and a very simplistic idea to others, but many do not even notice the effect that reading has on them.

This educational value, in my opinion, justifies printing a GLBQ supplement. I feel it is necessary to take the time out to think about why this minority has to struggle in our society. If we reach just one gay-basher and make him or her re-think how he or she behaves towards other human beings, we have at least partially fulfilled our purpose.

The newspaper is an educational tool, and we should use it in an accountable way. Some people suggested that we pay more attention to other minorities, such as Asians; or, other important issues that students face, such as living on a low budget. By publishing a GLBQ supplement we are not saying that this minority is more important than any other minority or issue, we are saying that this is just one of the many important issues that we, as students, have to face.

The X-Press is willing to publish stories about the struggles that other minorities face everyday; and we are willing to research and report on any issue that students feel is important. Just don’t put us down for practising our right to the freedom of the press. Don’t tell us that we are wasting paper because an issue is not important to you, because it may be important to the person sitting next to you, and you cannot take that away from anyone.

So please, keep an open mind as you read, form your own opinions, and tell us what you think. Let us know if there is an issue that you would like us to address. We are here to serve the needs of the students and university community. The only way for us to do that successfully is for you to bring your ideas and needs to us.

Alternative sexuality glossary

AC/DC: bisexual

biphobia: irrational fear of or aversion to bisexuals

bisexual: attracted to and sexually active with both males and females

butch: designating a masculine-appearing or -behaving female; designating a masculine-behaving male homosexual

come out: declare one’s homosexuality to family and friends or publicly; enter gay subculture

drag: clothing worn by one sex that is characteristic of the other sex

drag queen: male transvestit

dyke: lesbian

effeminate: not masculine in appearance or behaviour, said especially of homosexuals

faggot: male homosexual

fay hag: heterosexual woman who cultivates friendships with gay males

fem: very feminine lesbian, in contrast.to butch

flaming: blatantly or outlandishly gay

fruit: male homosexual

gay: homosexual, either male or female, sometimes restricted to males only

gay liberation: sociopolitical movement to combat legal and social discrimination against homosexuals, begun in late 1960’s gay power: organized political influence exerted by homosexuals as a group, esp. to achieve equal rights and social justice

gay pride: communally nurtured sense of self-esteem and Self-assertion among homosexuals

gay subculture: social environment of self-identified homosexuals, comprising neighbourhoods, events, organizations, and other formal and informal institutions that promote a sense of community and identity

gender-differentiated: designating homosexuality involving fixed sexual roles in which one partner is passive and the other activ penetrative; or, one butch and the other fem

go both ways: engage in bisexual acts

granola dyke: New Age lesbian who rejects cosmetics and feminine beauty accessories

heterosexism: prejudicial discrimination against nonheterosexual practices based on tacit belief in universality of heterosexual n¢ homophile: one who is homosexual; supportive of gay rights and interests

homophobia: irrational fear of or aversion to homosexuals

homosexual: person sexually attracted to and usually sexual active with members of the same sex

homosociality: male bonding without implication of sexual contact

in the closet: secretly homosexual

latent: in popular usage, designating one who appears heterosexual while repressing unconscious homosexual tendencies leather scene: subculture involving suggestion of sadomasochistic activities and wearing of leather accessories

lesbian: female homosexual

lesbian separatism: extreme lesbian movement advocating complete separation from males

outing: public exposure of another’s homosexuality against his or her will

out of the closet: having revealed one’s homosexuality

queer; homosexual, especially male; recently used as a term to cover all forms of nonheterosexual, nontraditional sexual activity example: transvestism, sadomasochism

queer bashing: physical and/or verbal assaults on gays, usually by young homophobic males who self-identify as heterosexuals switch-hitter: one who is bisexual

transvestite: person who dresses in clothing of opposite sex, especially drag queen

vegetable: rare term for lesbian, as distinguished from male ‘fruit’