The admissions office will immediately email students who identify as LGBT with links to information on housing options and campus resources that may interest them, Barron said.

Dodge said the applicants' responses would be stored confidentially in the university's records

They've already been accepted.

MG

Does your definition of "acceptance" mean that the university will allow the student to attend or does "acceptance" mean that the student is accepted for who he or she is as a person?

This is useful not only to "celebrate gayness" but also for the sake of those rooming with them. My son was put in a room with a gay guy who is a nice person but who was not up front about his sexual preferences, which put my son in a very awkward situation. Now he must live with it because if he should dare to complain about privacy issues, he most likely would be tagged as a "hater". But he's not. He just should have been given the choice.

What frickin difference does it make....this 'gay' thing is totally out of hand. They are literally asking about what the student will do sexually. WHF!!!

Lisa 256867,

This is useful not only to "celebrate gayness"

Now we're going to be celebrating "Gayness." I don't care if they ask the question or not by I'm not sure how many people will be celebrating. What would that look like?

If they have a heterosexual question are we going to be celebrating that too.

I think the question is needed for finding appropriate roommates, no question.

Is "None of your business" an option for response to that question? Everyone seems to want to pry into your life asking questions that are really none of their business. I guess privacy really is dead these days.

I would answer, no I'm not Gay, but I occasionally enjoy show tunes! :)

At least this time someone actually asked. Unlike the rest of the time when gays are always volunteering that information.

@Jim

Timothy-

Repeat after me, "Gay people are real,

Really how so? I've seen a lot of human beings, with a self identified homosexual orientation, but I've never seen an actual gay person.

@captadam

Your response is dismissive and inconsiderate. Your second point only reinforced Lisa's. Mixed rooms are offered, not required. You don't have enough information to know that her son may feel just as uncomfortable sharing a room with a girl. On the surface, Lisa's statement seem to indicate the roommate was nice enough, but her son was just uncomfortable with sharing a living space. I don't think it's unreasonable for someone who feels that way to want a different roommate.

WilliamOfRites: "They've already been accepted."

According to the first sentence in the article, they haven't:

The University of Iowa has become the first public university in the U.S. to include a question about students' sexual orientation in their application for admission.

Cap, What if you had been attracted to him? Whole different story then.

.

Cap, What if you had been attracted to him? Whole different story then.

Perhaps he would've been flattered?

Two people living together will experience a range of emotions. They might love each other; they might not be able to stand each other. One might enjoy the other's presence, while the other loathes every habit of his roommate. Human interactions are multifaceted.

Your response is dismissive and inconsiderate. Your second point only reinforced Lisa's. Mixed rooms are offered, not required. You don't have enough information to know that her son may feel just as uncomfortable sharing a room with a girl. On the surface, Lisa's statement seem to indicate the roommate was nice enough, but her son was just uncomfortable with sharing a living space. I don't think it's unreasonable for someone who feels that way to want a different roommate.

Below, Lisa writes,

The whole thing is so unnatural and extremely messy.

Sorry, that's a red flag. Homosexuality is natural. It happens. Some of us are born gay. Big deal.

If Lisa's son has a problem with it--if being around a gay dude makes him uncomfortable--I don't think we should just excuse that. Now, if her son can't stand living with his roommate for any reason, he can petition to his housing office to get a new roommate. I'd be shocked if his school wouldn't allow him to move. But perhaps he should instead confront his fears. His fears likely stem from a misunderstanding of homosexuality. College is all about learning and growing--and maybe, just maybe, Lisa's son should take the time to realize that gay guys don't want to jump into the sack with every male they see.

jake2247

This is Iowa. It's just as likely that anyone answering "yes" gets denied so those extra resources can be shut down to save money, or so they can "cleanse" themselves of anyone they don't like.

Prove it. If an organization that actively looks for discrimination against the LGBT community applauds the college for doing this, who are you to claim it's only an attempt to weed out those people from the college.

hushupalready

Repeat after me...gay people are disgusting. gay people are disgusting. Now I feel better ass clown.

No, what's disgusting are people with homophobic attitudes like your own.

Lisa-256867

This is useful not only to "celebrate gayness" but also for the sake of those rooming with them. My son was put in a room with a gay guy who is a nice person but who was not up front about his sexual preferences, which put my son in a very awkward situation. Now he must live with it because if he should dare to complain about privacy issues, he most likely would be tagged as a "hater". But he's not. He just should have been given the choice.

How would you suggest he do that, Lisa? The only way to give him that choice before moving in with a gay room mate would be to ask their sexual orientation, and that information is no one's business. Instead your son should grow a spine and request another room. I have no problem with him being uncomfortable having a gay man living in the same room. But he is the one who needs to make the change to fix the situation. There should never be a spot on the room registration sheet that asks sexual orientation.

This all stems from the Tyler Clementi fiasco. Colleges want to avoid law suits so they have no choice but to ask if your queer. What really chaps my hide is the blame game formented by the liberal media. Actually you can call it Commie media. Theyve gone way beyond liberal. Mrs Clementi wants to blame their religion. Listen to this.

"In the months after Tyler’s death, some of Ms. Clementi’s friends confided that they, too, had gay children. She blames religion for the shame surrounding it — in the conversation about coming out, Tyler told his mother he did not think he could be Christian and gay."

Whats the matter Ms Clementi, dont you have the guts to say that God is wrong?

No, but I do identify with the incest community.

Thank you for finally admitting to it, "jo ann". I've been suspecting it of you for awhile...and, yes, you are proof that incest does cause mental mutations undesirable in a decent society.

captadam

Colleges have realized students AREN'T rabbits and WON'T automatically start having sex whenever they're living in a confined space!

ROFL..who hasn't been 20........LOL

I do think there are a few interesting issues going on here. This is listed under an "optional" area, right? Not every student has to provide an answer, or even get into this area to even discuss the options listed. Let's remember that this current generation (those entering college) is more open minded than my age group (50-60) and the older groups - and I'm quite open minded.

I remember long ago when insurance companies wanted "basic information" on our sexual practices. This was in the 1980's when HIV and AIDs was just becoming known. This was fought against because not only was it a private matter, insurance was trying to gain information that could deny rights at a later time. My question with this is, will it "protect and serve" students in the LGBT community for the better? If so, I am completely for it and then it should be on all college applications. If however, this will be used to segregate anyone in the LGBT community in any way, it cannot happen.

Unfortunately, this is not a male/female, color/non-color issue. Sexual orientation is something that some people are very uncomfortable with. It depends on how our parents feel about sexuality (their own and that of others) and that translates to comfortability of sexuality within the LGBT community.

Lisa is uncomfortable with her sexuality and has brought this forward to her son. It's not necessarily that he's a homophobe, he just might be uncomfortable with anyone expressing physical love. For that we say, "Thanks Lisa for raising a child to be inhibited sexually". It brings forth a slew of problems including the NJ Rutger's spying, rape, problems with intimacy, impotence and ejaculation problems.

Do students in the LGBT community have to live in the same dorm or community with one another? This would be the segregation I feared. It's not necessary and not realistic. In all neighborhoods (yes, even Lisa's), there are members of the LGBT community whether open or not. If Lisa's problem (or others) have a difficulty with any roommate, changes are possible no matter the circumstance. Lisa mentions "hater" likely because she has encountered it before. We raise our children sexually repressed if we were brought up sexually repressed. Change is difficult but fortunately our children are more evolved than we are.

Well said Margo.

yes, you are proof that incest does cause mental mutations undesirable in a decent society.

What's wrong Shockanddisgusted? It's not nice to have a incestphobic attitude. Practice tolerance please. We are suppose to love whoever we want, remember?

Understand when I use the word "Seriously" in my other post.

Watch out, I'm using the word again.

Seriously, wake up Shockanddisgusted. We don't live in a decent society anymore.

justoneguy

What frickin difference does it make....this 'gay' thing is totally out of hand. They are literally asking about what the student will do sexually. WHF!!!

When it no longer makes a difference, and no one cares (except for a very teeny bunch of bigots who will always be around, but will be powerless, ostracized things), then the question will no longer have to be asked.

The question on the application should clearly indicate that it's optional to answer it. That way if the applicant wants to share this information they can, and if they don't want to answer the question they shouldn't have to. It's none of the collage's business what the applicant's sexual orientation unless the student chooses to disclose that information. Maybe the application should have a question asking, "Are you homophobic?" If the applicant answers "yes" to this question, then their application can be denied. While we all have a right to our own opinion, if the college sincerely believes that LGBTQ students are important members of their campus community and want to provide them with the opportunity to identify themselves in order to be connected to resources and to build networking structures, then they shouldn't allow homophobic students to attend their college.

Ah yes, another slippery slope advocate.

Way back in the 1920s, we let women have the vote. What next? Dogs voting? Where does it stop?

You can apply the same ridiculous logic to anything.

Ooh, here's another good example:

If we don't give gays equal rights and give into the Christians, what next? Do we let Muslims introduce Sharia Laws? Where does it stop?

happy42xxx

Chris from Yuc:

Why should the other person have to leave? It is the gay person that has chosen to live that lifestyle...the normal fellow should be able to maintain his room and have the gay guy move.

That biased statement is exactly why there is a problem. To YOU there are gays and there are normal people. In your mind it's the 1950's and gays are blacks who must give up their seat when a white person shows up. Please take your ignorant prejudices some place else. There is no room for it in a civilized conversation.

On a separate note

Lisa-256867

This is useful not only to "celebrate gayness" but also for the sake of those rooming with them. My son was put in a room with a gay guy who is a nice person but who was not up front about his sexual preferences,

Why should the gay student be up front about his sexuality? You are going to college to learn. Pick up a sexual partner on your own time. Does your son fear being raped in the middle of the night by his room mate? If so then he's got other issues he needs to be addressing. Now, if this gay room mate is having sex in the dorm room, then that's something entirely different and your son needs to complain because I'm pretty sure sex in the rooms isn't allowed regardless of whether it's same sex or straight. If your son is just uncomfortable knowing his room mates sexual orientation, my advice is get over it. Mommy can't coddle him forever. He's gonna need to grow up and realize the world is not a Leave it to Beaver episode.

I lived with straight roommates all through college. I was subjected to their sorts watching, their lack of taste in decor and fashion, I survived that. I was subjected to their straightness day after day week after week. Oh the tyranny of it! Of course we were honor students and while the weekends were more loose, we were overachievers with the highest grades (If you had a GPA under 3.5 you were out, to graduate with honors you had to have a 3.8 or better) So we just did not have all those problems with other people. THey walked around often dressed very lightly, and in 4 years and about 10 total roommates (We lived 4 to a suite in apartment accommodations) I was never attracted to any of them.

To the idiots who still use the word 'sexual preferences' or claim gays 'chose' their 'lifestyle' Grow up. Due to societal pressures I chose to be straight, but that never quite worked out well as I was not straight. Just as much as you did not choose to be straight. How ignorant can you be? Evidently extremely so.

One day I just know we are going to read that article about how gangs of gay youth go around looking for straight people to beat up on. How gay men targeted straight men and killed them for being straight. Yeah you hear about that kind of crap every day....

I'm not gay, but I am interested in applying to this college. Does that make me gay?

When filling out the 2010 Census and asked what race I was, I answered "human".

Onemanonewomanmarriage:

You weren't born gay.

You're either being sarcastic or can prove your statement.

God doesn't make mistakes,...

You're a fine example disproving that theory.

My nephew got a gay room-mate at college. Lets just say that what happened most of you wouldn't like. My nephew was arrested and kicked out his first day. I bought him a beer, and he switched colleges when he got out of jail. lol

They are gay, and that is fine...whatever. but for what reason is their to tell the university if they are gay? its crap like this and the crap laws that say you have to allow a certain amount of minority students...even if they arent as good as a white applicant. By classifying people by race, and now sexuality, we are encouraging segregation. the way to get past the tensions between groups is not by forcing it on the other, but by just letting the world evolve by itself. I think we are a lot different from our ancestors and we are naturally becoming more accepting. This whole thing helps none.

I don't think the university meant it to discriminate against homosexuals. I think it was to assist in their transition into the student community as a group with an identity. If you can have other groups such as African-American, Hispanic or Asian clubs/groups on campus, I see no reason why the LGBTQ community can't have their own group.

Left-overs, your nephew is lucky that the young man didn't sue. It is a hate crime. Instead of being proud you should be plain sad. This gay man could wreck his life and rightfully so. If people like your nephew actually do things like that, it is a pre-cursor to other things in the future. Obvioulsy he has an issue controlling himself and people like him shouldn't be amongst civilized people in society (the few that are left.) if i were the gay man, he would have been sued the @!$%# out of by me and he would be feeling it way into his 20's. You should be thankful.

Maybe they just want to know who is going to be flying around the halls. Captadam that's your problem. Lisa you have a good point. I wouldn't want to share rooms with one.If they are anything like straight people they are going to take a peek if they get the chance if they find that person good looking. That's just nature whether right or wrong.

Onemanonewomanmarriage

Why does homosexuality, which is just sodomy, which is just another word for anal sex, need to be celebrated? You're going to die of AIDS. There's nothing to celebrate. You can be offended all you want at hearing this, but the fact remains that HIV/AIDS has increased by 69% and people are dying because of this deadly lifestyle. That's horrible. Red flags should be telling you not to celebrate this choice. And, yes, you have a choice. You weren't born gay. You became gay because you choose to believe the lies that you keep telling yourself. God doesn't make mistakes, but we do. God loves you and is right there to help you if you ask him to. He has great plans for you!

If you are a Christian, you are doing your cause more harm than good with ignorant nonsense like that.

If we are ever going to be accepting of everyone despite their sexual orientation, we must stop singleing them out. Why should any university bend over backwards to make campus life any better for the gays than the straights? Doesn't it just perpetuate and futher divide the gays and the straights? Why is is so important to identify with a partucular orientation?

Dodge said the applicants' responses would be stored confidentially in the university's records.

Isn't it amazing how quickly confidential information can become public information.

"Sorry, that's a red flag. Homosexuality is natural. It happens. Some of us are born gay. Big deal"

Natural? Some are born with 2 heads too. So I guess this state is possible.

Maureen, if they are bending over backwards for the gays, they are bending in the wrong direction.

In the late 70s (graduation 1979) I met a guy at the University Ball. He was with his girlfriend (female) and I with mine. His date knew he was gay, but did not care. I (male) and my date (female) did not know he was gay. Later in the evening he told us. We did not care that he was gay. We became life-long friends (still are). The University is a small, private Catholic University. My friendship with him was based upon respect for each other, not some f*cking stupid state or federal jerk-off law that stated we HAD to accept each other. Laws do not do sh*t to change the way people feel about each other. My friend and I are offended by the crap in the legislature that dictate rights for gays. Because they already HAVE the same rights as we do. Gay marriage is a political bullsh*t ploy to divide and concur as well as to "give us bread and circus" in order to distract us from the fact that the scumbags in D.C. are growing government til it pops! I hope the LGBT community will take up arms and fight alongside us straights and fight for our (all of "our") freedoms that the pricks in D.C. are stealing from us when the sh*t hits the fan. The rest of you can all go f*ck yourselves!!!

Because they already HAVE the same rights as we do. Gay marriage is a political bullsh*t ploy to divide and concur as well as to "give us bread and circus" in order to distract us from the fact that the scumbags in D.C. are growing government til it pops!

Gays/Lesbians DO NOT have the same rights as heterosexuals. Until gay marriage is legalized, and gays/lesbians cannot be "FIRED" from their jobs simply because of their sexual orientation, there are NO EQUAL RIGHTS.

The optional question appears in a section of other optional questions asking students about family connections to the university, parents' educational background, interest in ROTC programs, and interest in fraternities and sororities.

The question is optional and meant to connect students with all campus resources available to them. As is everything else on the application, it is also private information. If your son or daughter has a problem with people in the world who are different than them, perhaps college is not the place for your child. Diversity is the cornerstone of the college experience (with the exemption of those private religious institutions) and will prepare your child to deal with a variety of different people in the real world. It is really too bad Lisa passed along her prejudice to her son. He has probably been cheated out of the opportunity to make a life-long friend.

Sounds very balanced. AND, the linchpin is that it's "OPTIONAL", not mandatory; but so it should be, also, whether or not to be part of an immediate mass emailing of specifics, instead of just an alert that there are accommodations to be explored, if anyone wishes and would like to do so, because other than that it is "overreaching" in an assumed and presumed "psuedo-informed-consent" on the University's part. (And get and retain an exact paper copy of specifically any "confidentiality" agreement [in its entirety, fine print and all] that pertains to it, FIRST, before answering! Including that "answering" the question is NOT automatically the same as "signing" to ANY agreement).

Now we're going to be celebrating "Gayness." I don't care if they ask the question or not by I'm not sure how many people will be celebrating. What would that look like?

Ever seen a gay pride parade? I imagine it would look something like that...

I lived with a gay man for 6 months, coolest dude ever. My wife and I loved him, and probably the biggest reason? He wasn't overbearing and in your face about his homosexuality. He had some friends that would come over that were the annoying gay type, but he was super cool and laid back about his gayness. There's a difference, and if gays want to be accepted they need to stop pushing their homosexuality. With all the stories in the news you would think the LGBTQWRHV community was HUGE, but it's not. It's just really really loud.

Are you gay? University of Iowa wants to know

I am very happy . The fact that i do not live anywhere near Iowa is only one reason. Thanks for asking.

What is your point, Skipper? Freshman men and women room together only when they choose to do so. How is this different?

Would it be better that roommates be chosen at random to increase the odds of a LBGTQ student rooming with a gay-bashing homophobe?

student rooming with a gay-bashing homophobe?

(See Above)????

Are you one of those people who think that homosexuals should just "choose" to be straight, and marry some unsuspecting heterosexual and mess up their life with a bad marriage and eventual divorce?

Would you like to marry someone who "chose" to be heterosexual? Do you want your children to marry someone who "chose" to be heterosexual? Do you want the gay gene passed on to your grandchildren?

My daughter is in college. The dorms are coed. There are no bed checks or curfews. Are you trying to make sure that all college students "remain" virginal? Seriously?

Do you want the gay student paired with a straight student instead? Do you want gay males paired with staight females? Gay females paired with straight males?

Dumb. Just dumb.

Well sam, this does open a can worms. If we're going there, then we need to go there completely. If a person is gay, come out with it and lets get the room situations straightened out. I guess they need to put a gay guy with a gay girl, if it's going to be a comparable situation to heterosexual dorms. It's not working as it is, because now, because of not being up front, they're putting gay guys (or girls) in with straight kids of the same sex who have no choice in the matter, which is uncomfortable not to mention inappropriate.

The whole thing is so unnatural and extremely messy.

don92774 - - Are the odds better than being assigned to a straight bashing heterophobe like serial killer Randy Kraft?

People who actually read the article may notice that it says nothing about housing, which usually involves a different application anyhow.

Rooming an LGBTQ student with a homophone one sounds like the basis for a really bad sitcom, actually. Or a new reality show on TLC!

Well, at my university you could room with someone in the same major or someone who had the same interests as you. At the end of the day they're all preferences.

Lisa, I hope your son is less homophobic than you, for the sake of his roommate. My brother had a gay roommate in the dorms and after what happened to Tyler Clementi, his roommate was relieved to have someone accepting so he could carry on his studies in peace. I hope your son realizes that neither he NOR his roommate had a choice in the matter, and that the most likely victim of the situation is not your son at all. If he is accepting like my brother, then there should be no victims in the matter.

There is no such thing as a homosexual. Only a person who makes a conscientious decision to participate in homosexual acts.

While I'm not ready to determine gimme is a Nazi, I do think it is a strange reaction. While I am not gay, I am supportive of the LGBT community. I am also a Christian though I believe God will the judge actions of others - not me. That is the difference with gimme and Mic and many others in the Christian community.

Watching commercials and TV shows with a neutral view, I can see how subtle the influencing of heterosexuality is. Couples are heterosexual, men and women wear wedding rings and they kiss or hug frequently. I recall when "The Cosby Show" was first on air. The reviews stated it was the first time a black family was represented on television. Not only that, both parents were involved in the child rearing and both parents had careers. Because of that, subconsciously or even consciously, public opinion regarding black families changed.

Though there are television shows with homosexual couples, most are on HBO and other channels. Modern Family (hilarious) represents one couple (Cameron and Mitch) that are gay and successful. I long for the time when commercials represent homosexual couples (not sarcastically) and the rest of the LGBT community. When we air shows and commercials representing this community, public opinion will again change for the better.

OK to the haters on both sides Being roomates in college is not institutional hooking up. I say go back to the old ways no significant others in the rooms meet them in the reception hall That means no boy/girl, boy/boy, girl/girl hookups in the rooms you are supposed to be there to study and to learn not play sex games on your parents dime. Oh and for sake of polite speech unless someone is a close friend they are not honey, sweetie or any other cutsie term. That closeness is something you have to earn and is denigrating, extremely disrespectful if used without permission.

The issue is that homosexuality is being presented as a "normal" way to live ones life (which it is not)...the fact of the matter is that being gay is unnatural and abnormal...there is no procreation involved so from just that basic point the behavior is not viable. Other issues come into play as well - religious of course but also the acceptability of abnormality...that is a slippery slope...in 100 years will thieves be demanding tolerance? Or child marriage?

I think what's even more important is for the university to ask prospective students if they snore and how tolerant of others snoring they are. I was severly persecuted for my SNORING by many roomates until I was forced to pay for a room for myself!

A student filling out that box on the application will have ZERO influence on the room mate he receives. The article states this question that's being asked will be kept confidential and used to provide options that can assist the person into INTEGRATING with the community, not segregate them into 'gay only rooms'.

While I laud the thought behind it, I have serious doubts on this database being being able to be kept private. There will always be someone in the chain of custody who will feel it's their god given duty to publicize it. Or some hacker will decide to steal it just to see the havok he can unleash by releasing it.

IMO, it would probably be best if the college simply placed the information and links on it's website for those who'd like it, thus allowing them to stay anonymous.

Margo: Thank you for your posts. You are right, you know, the media is the all important teaching tool. Back when TV became the norm - and, generally speaking - there were only white men news anchors; never saw minorities unless it was 'news.' Never saw a 'married' couple in the same bed, no LGBTQs in 'polite' society, never any direct sexuality. There were no women or other minority doctors, EMTs, attorneys, police, only teachers and nurses. Generations of secrets, pretenses, falseness. The soap operas cracked opened the venue of minorities. It all takes time. We are a young country, assimilating many cultures from whence we learn. It'll be the same with LGBTQ. With the movement of generations and their beliefs into the wind comes a better understanding of humanity. WE all live on this planet, under the same sky. It's a discomfort for some to learn to accept, but there's no stopping the greater understanding of humanity.

The school is becoming a pimp for the homos?

Margo...what about "The Jeffersons" George and Weezy? What about "Good Times" with J.J. Michael, Florida, James, and Thelma? I am pretty sure they were the first television shows to represent a black family...not "The Cosby's".

Even back in the early 70's, Bewitched had a show featuring a black family prominently in one episode.

"I'm not homophobic, I have a gay friend"

Sorry but if you've got to make that kinda statement, then yes, you are, lol.

ram-762581

Why should it affect their rooming? I would say it is none of their business and wouldn't want that in my records...they don't put in mine that I am heterosexual. So why not give out literature to anyone who applies and keep their business private? So if you aren't out but you are gay you either choose to trust them with that information (umm no thanks) or tell them and hope no one who is anti-gay or wants to segregate or whatever gets the info. I don't get why...geez.

And they email them stuff? What if someone gets into your email and you aren't out to every single person in the world? Or why allow them to send mass emails? Do they have mailing lists for all heterosexuals as well? Really...creepy to me.

Well seeing as "the move was heralded by gay rights advocates" per the article, it sounds like it isn't that big of a deal aside from the university being the first to do this. As to why it should affect their rooming, remember the Reuters incident? I think many of the students are concerned of this happening and feel better having someone who is the same as they are. And for the emails, that is optional if the students want to be reached for resources regarding the LGBT community. They don't have to sign on the mailing list if they don't want to.

What if someone gets into your email and you aren't out to every single person in the world?

If someone gets into your email, it's a criminal act and they would be prosecuted. Just like if you were to get into my email and use personal information against me, you would be pursecuted for invasion of privacy among any other laws of internet usage that can be used.

Do they have mailing lists for all heterosexuals as well?

They don't discriminate against one's sexual orientation as the mailing lists are for community resources and nothing else. This means that heterosexuals do receive emails from the university regarding resources that they wish to receive information on per their own request. None of this is creepy, it's just the university's way of reaching out to a community that is usually ignored, denied opportunities or unaware of opportunities that are open to them that the university provides.

ram-762581 - Why should it affect their rooming?

So they don't get stuck with you.

bible-thumping nutjob

I am the least religious person in the world. But bible-thumping nutjob is as offensive a term as "faggot."

That's probably the question that should be asked during admission - are you a thumper?

No, I'm a bambi.

(see also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBEN4jtzh-4)

We're trying to establish a society where none of that matters. Where there is not a question of being "out", or "closeted".

If you don't answer, you might get paired up with some homophobic teabirther. Bad for both of them.

sam-298381 - If you don't answer, you might get paired up with some homophobic teabirther.

Tragically, that's what happened to Tyler Clementi.

A lot of ignorance going on here. First, the college was Rutgers not "Reuters". Second, that's not what happened to Clementi. The kid rooming with Clementi was from a Hindu family, not Christian and no one has any idea of their political leanings. This kind of ignorant labelling is how the unthinkable happened during Hitler's reign to the Jews. Please be careful what you say and get your facts straight.

And try to think of the other person's rights, too. Do you think a straight person deserves some consideration or respect here? Or should they just be expected to be put in with someone who is gay, who may try to take advantage of that, and not be concerned or uncomfortable? For the same reasons you wouldn't put heterosexual put a girl and guy together in a rooming situation, this should not be allowed. Geez, do I really even have to point this out?

I am the least religious person in the world. But bible-thumping nutjob is as offensive a term as "faggot."

No--one can choose to be a Bible-thumbing nutjob.

Shrekk, here's news for you--it would be hard for you to find a roomate. You're a dick.

I think you may have left sucker off the end of that line...

@Dems

Something tells me nobody checks you out, hits on you, OR finds you attractive, gay or straight, male or female.

Oh, and by the by, there's more sucking and @nal going on in hetero relationships than in gay ones anyway. Straight people be freaky. I should know.

Lisa-256867 - Second, that's not what happened to Clementi. The kid rooming with Clementi was from a Hindu family, not Christian and no one has any idea of their political leanings.

To be fair, part of what happened to Clementi is that his mom was a bible-thumper who reacted poorly to his coming out. She's admitted as much.

It doesn't really mater what religion he was. Without religion, there is no command to be homophobic or bigoted. Clementi's conservative Christian mother played a huge part in his death.

Funny!! Back in the day, when I used to hitchhike, there were two kinds of people that I did not want to get a ride with: queers and Jesus freaks. Both made me uncomfortable, for different reasons.

Hey skrekk the gaylover.....If my bible dosen't belong in your life, why does your gayness belong in my life? You, sir gaylover, are a hypocrit!

skrekk - Thats probably the question that should be asked during admission - are you a thumper?

You realize you were being just as bad as a homophobe when you said that right? It's the exact same thing. You are bashing somebody because they are different than you.

Look, I have no problem with gays and I am Christian. I accept them for who they are. But I don't think they deserve special treatment just for liking their own sex. What exactly is the purpose for asking the question anyway? They never gave a clear cut reason in the article. All they mentioned was out reach (which can be found via a little research, no special attention needed) and dorms. We do not need specific dorms for every race, religion, or sexuality.

Well I, for one, like to hear about Sweet Sweet Dee's sex life. You go, girl!

captadam - no, one can choose to be a bible-thumping nutjob.

One can also choose to be gay. A person is not born gay, they develop feelings for somebody just like us heterosexuals.

Fitting that there is an AIDS advertisement below on a story involving queers.

One can also choose to be gay. A person is not born gay, they develop feelings for somebody just like us heterosexuals.

You've chosen to be heterosexual?

captadam - You've chosen to be heterosexual?

In a way, yes. We choose who we want to date, don't we? So yes, sexuality can be considered a choice.

cocacola150dr - You realize you were being just as bad as a homophobe when you said that right? It's the exact same thing. You are bashing somebody because they are different than you.

Actually I'm bashing the Christofascist nutjobs who think their bible-babble and sharia laws should control other people's lives.

If you're not a member of the Christian Taliban then my comment wasn't directed at you. I'm well aware there are lots of Christians who don't hate gays and don't try to push their religion on other people, and who don't try to use the government to enforce their bizarre sharia laws.

What exactly is the purpose for asking the question anyway?

The same reason they ask religious affiliation, to give a student access to community resources they might be interested in. All it does is put your email address in a specific listserve. You have no obligation to answer the question, much less use those community resources.

I'm just curious (but not gay curious). How many of you bigoted wingnuts actually read the article to educate yourself on just exactly what this was about. I'm sure 99.9% of you homophobes who felt obliged to either make what you saw as a clever response or just outright hate on a large segment of your fellow citizens didn't bother to read beyond the article's header (stop snickering). If you had, you would have discovered the schools reason for asking this. I'm sure you really aren't interested in the why. You are just so bigoted that all you can do is to hate an entire segment of people. You are no better than a racist who hates strictly based on a persons skin color, nation of origin or their race. It must be a terrible way to live your life, having to put up with your own stupidity. I feel terribly sorry for you and will continue to pray for your enlightenment.

Thank you skrekk. Well said.

shrekk:

You're posting stupidity. Sharia law deals with Islam, your post demonstrates your stupidity.

Magic Rat (not gay curious) Yeah, of course not. It's okay though.

They are doing it for a number of reasons. The one stated here is to promote support. Another would be to track LGBTQ data. There is evidence to suggest that LGBTQ students have additional issues while in school (perhaps with society, the school environment, or friends and family). On that note, they tend to drop out of school at a higher rate. Tracking groups of students and their retention would allow them to assess how well the school is doing. This is just like providing information regarding other minority groups (gender, race, parental education background, and family income).

Sarcasticus1 - You're posting stupidity. Sharia law deals with Islam, your post demonstrates your stupidity.

While that was a metaphor which seemed to go over your head, it really doesn't matter which cult your silly sharia laws come from. We have a secular government, not a theocracy. If you think the government should enforce your Christian sharia laws you should move to Iran where they've achieved the theocracy you seek. And like you, they hate gays there too.

I'm not certain how being gay is a choice. Nor do I understand how, because we choose to don't choose to date a specific person that is the reasoning behind being gay.

Equally, the timing of when a person "comes out" is entirely individual. No one can/should force an individual to come out. Considering the postings, I can see that a college student would have a difficult time coming out to family and their college at such an early age.

I don't recall when I knew I was heterosexual. I don't recall an "awakening" so much as I knew when I met my husband I wanted to be involved with him in every manner for the rest of my life. From the LGBT people I know, it seems important to be acknowledged. I'm certain this has something to do with limited representation in television, in politics, in advertising and everywhere else. Perhaps once the LGBT community is fully recognized and represented, this question and discussion can be eliminated.

Margo do you live without media? Everything on television is tainted with the gay acceptance garbage. Politics is so infiltrated with the aggressive progressive fag agenda the world has flipped upside down. We don't need more we need less of this crap. Everything from politics to healthcare is overrun with illogical feminism ideology that ordinary normal people who wish to be polite get pushed and bashed and insulted into their homes while these dis-functional idiots scream to change how they feel about themselves. Self worth starts in the mirror. Quit looking to everyone else for affirmation. We don't care if your gay. You do.

skrekk - While that was a metaphor which seemed to go over your head, it really doesn't matter which cult your silly sharia laws come from. We have a secular government, not a theocracy. If you think the government should enforce your Christian sharia laws you should move to Iran where they've achieved the theocracy you seek. And like you, they hate gays there too.

Sharia laws are Islamic, not Christian. They are two different religions (not cults, as you referred to them). I don't see where your metaphor comes from, considering we do not force anything on you. Were you referring to his own personal beliefs?

Margo-2235341:

I'm not certain how being gay is a choice. Nor do I understand how, because we choose to don't choose to date a specific person that is the reasoning behind being gay.

Equally, the timing of when a person "comes out" is entirely individual. No one can/should force an individual to come out. Considering the postings, I can see that a college student would have a difficult time coming out to family and their college at such an early age.

I don't recall when I knew I was heterosexual. I don't recall an "awakening" so much as I knew when I met my husband I wanted to be involved with him in every manner for the rest of my life. From the LGBT people I know, it seems important to be acknowledged. I'm certain this has something to do with limited representation in television, in politics, in advertising and everywhere else. Perhaps once the LGBT community is fully recognized and represented, this question and discussion can be eliminated.

You are taking my words to literally. You do not have to "awaken" to something for it to be a choice. Think of it this way. You have the option of dating either males or females. You don't really think about your sexuality if your heterosexual because you aren't questioning anything. If one is homosexual, they have to begin questioning their sexuality at some point and technically, they make a choice when they come to a conclusion. I guess you could call it more of a realization than a choice, but my point stands. People are not born gay, there is nothing in our DNA that determines our sexuality.

CocaCola...Right Wing Christians (Not to be confused with people who believe in God, Jesus and follow their message of love and tolerance) do not force anything on us? WHAT???????

You try to FORCE us to not be married saying it is against God

You try to FORCE us to read your selections from the bible by attempting to have them placed on Court Buildings, Etc.

You try to FORCE us not to control our own bodies saying it is against Gods plan

By the way I am now, and have always been a Christian...but never, ever try to confuse what a Christian really is with what passes for organized religion in this country. They have vey little to do with each other.

And yes IDIOT I was born Gay...I can look back now and it was already there when I was extremely young, though I had no idea what it was or what straight was or any of it. But it was there. Once I realized what it was I fought it for years, came close to suicide, told nobody. I had been taught to be straight, all my exposure was to being straight, I did not know what gay meant until I was in High School. UNtil I accepted myself I was very miserable due to the ignorance of people like you.

THere are millions and millions of Gay Christians, there would be more but for the hatred of those who claim to be Christians but are not, they drive people away from God.

Margo-2235341 - I don't recall when I knew I was heterosexual. I don't recall an "awakening" so much as I knew when I met my husband I wanted to be involved with him in every manner for the rest of my life. From the LGBT people I know, it seems important to be acknowledged. I'm certain this has something to do with limited representation in television, in politics, in advertising and everywhere else. Perhaps once the LGBT community is fully recognized and represented, this question and discussion can be eliminated.

I think things are changing in that regard, depending on where one lives and what one's family is like. My wife and I suspected one of my daughters might be gay when she was about 6, several years before she knew that for herself. She never came out per se because she was never in the closet - everyone kind of realized she was gay and didn't care. It was a complete non-issue for her.

But I hate to think what it's like for gay kids who grow up in Alabama with bible-thumpers as parents. Those are the kids who are forced to stay in the closet and be uncertain about their sexuality until they're away from home and at college.

And while I can't speak for any gay people I'm sure it's less about being acknowledged than it is about not needing to hide or to be dishonest about oneself.

You FORCE your bedroom habits on us.....

You FORCE your anti 1st and 2nd amendment infringements on us...........

You FORCE food and sugar bans on us............

You FORCE us to pay for your health-care............

So it's only fair we ban queers from marriage...........

Whoever said life was fair????

Frank, first and foremost, I am not a rightwing Christian, I am a true Christian. Regarding the Bible messages, our country was founded by Christians. That is why you see religious selections on government buildings. Nobody forces you to read those I might add and they don't hurt anything anyway. We have every right to display bible messages, as it is our first amendment right. Why are you so against it if you are Christian? You should be for it, as it spreads the message.

Look, I don't mind gays. You love who you love and you can't help that. Thats fine. You should have every right that we do. The only thing I don't agree with is when it comes to marriage. I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman only (and our anatomy agrees).

A true Christian does not force their beliefs on anybody. As a told a few others, we are taught to spread the Word of God and the Gospel message. We ask people to consider it, no forcing whatsoever. The people you are referring too are extremists and in no way represent the Christian faith. They are actually a very small group but are very outspoken, making them seem bigger than they really are. As you said, they are not true Christians.

And no, you were not born gay. There is nothing in our DNA that determines sexuality. As I said earlier, it's more of a realization than a choice, but my point stands.

If I may be so bold, what in the heck made you think I was a rightwing Christian? Was it something I said? Or was it just an unfounded snap judgement? Just so you know, I do not endorse what DemsAreHypocrites posted.

cocacola150dr - People are not born gay, there is nothing in our DNA that determines our sexuality.

Says the rather clueless bigot.

Not only are you wrong from a scientific standpoint (learn about epigenetics and prenatal hormonal influence on sexual orientation vs brain structure), but my wife and I realized one of our daughters was gay when she was about 6, long before she knew it herself.

If I may be so bold, what in the heck made you think I was a rightwing Christian?

Your words are a clue, like these next ones:

The only thing I don't agree with is when it comes to marriage. I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman only (and our anatomy agrees).

And I thought you were the one who claimed that you Christofascists weren't trying to impose your sharia laws on everyone, yet that's exactly what you want to do in regards to the legal contract of marriage.

Tell me, how exactly are you different from the racist Southern Baptist who said mixed-race couples should also be denied the right to marry?

And just an FYI, it sounds like you've confused marriage with sex. Denying gays the right to marry won't prevent them from having sex, as much as nutjobs like you wish otherwise.

The same could be said for the cock sucking faggots...... You think we all should accept your un-natural sex habits being forced on the rest of us, it works both ways. Another example of the hypocrites from the left. Before you start with your homophobe comments, let me set you straight....I'm not scared of queers, I find their life style disgusting.... I would not want to room with some man looking at my balls. Queers should have no problem putting this on their application. After all they have no problem with their queer pride marches declaring they're cock suckers.. When NORMAL STRAIGHT people start marching about being straight, then I'll shut up....... Until then keep doing what your doing behind closed doors, just like the rest of us do and shut the @!$%# UP!!!! Notice I didn't use the word "gay". Gay means happy, stop turning the meaning of words around to mean something else.

Spoken like someone with doubts about their own sexuality.

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"

Just a statement on the discussion. There are not pathological differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals. There is no scientific evidence of biological, cellular, or genetic differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals...none...starting with the Human genome project and arriving at our current understanding of genetics and biology today. So what does that leave us? Draw your own conclusions. Argue all you want but science does not allow any wiggle room on the subject periodt (peer reviewed and examined).

Regarding the Bible messages, our country was founded by Christians.

That doesn't make us a "christian country," although not all the Founding Fathers were christian.

We have every right to display bible messages, as it is our first amendment right.

Only as long as you don't try to push them into the government or law or infringe on another's rights!

The only thing I don't agree with is when it comes to marriage. I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman only (and our anatomy agrees).

You don't own the word marriage and there's no logical or legal reason to deny gays the right to marry.

The people you are referring too are extremists and in no way represent the Christian faith.

The No True Scotsman fallacy.

As I said earlier, it's more of a realization than a choice, but my point stands.

Your point contradicts itself. You say no one is born gay, but they then "realize it?" That means they realize they're gay, just like some realize they're straight (or bi or asexual). That means they're "born that way."

If one is homosexual, they have to begin questioning their sexuality at some point and technically, they make a choice when they come to a conclusion.

No they don't. Gays know they're attractd to the same gender just like heterosexuals know they're attracted to the opposite gender. There's no question.

People are not born gay, there is nothing in our DNA that determines our sexuality.

You really don't know how genetics or physiology works, do you?

considering we do not force anything on you.

Which group is it that tries to get gay marriage banned based on religious grounds (the same holds true for abortion, creationism in school, ect.)?

We choose who we want to date, don't we? So yes, sexuality can be considered a choice.

You confuse behavior with orientation.

A person is not born gay, they develop feelings for somebody just like us heterosexuals.

You just contradicted yourself!

But I don't think they deserve special treatment just for liking their own sex.

What "special treatment" are they getting?

Frankly True: You cite three different ways that Christians supposedly try to "force" their beliefs on people, namely the Ten Commandments on Court buildings, gay marriage, and abortion. However, it is quite a stretch to say that the three of these are trying to "force" things on anyone in the ways you claim.

First, putting the Ten Commandments (or any other part of scripture, for that matter) on Court buildings does not "force" you to read it. Similarly, putting warning labels on tobacco products does not force you to read them either (I know lots of people who don't read the labels on their tobacco products).

Second, unless you are in a state that has legalized gay marriage already, no Christians are trying to force you to not get married as such, what they are trying to do is force you to accept the status quo (subtle difference, I know, but it's there)

Third, Murder falls into the category of things that the government has the right to "force" you to not do (kind of like stealing and other crimes) Therefore, if someone believes that abortion=murder, it follows logically that the government has the right to "force" you not to do it. Now you may argue that abortion is not murder, but that is irrelevant when we are talking about people who don't believe that.

Lastly, I would just like to point out that being right-wing (at least, fairly middling-to-right) doesn't mean that you have to be intolerant and unloving. Just like those who are middling-to-left tend to not be intolerant and unloving. It's usually those on the fringes of society who are hateful and intolerant (in the political spectrum, far left- and right-wingers).

Gordy: 'No True Scotsman Fallacy' Really? If I said 'all blacks are gangsters' and someone replied with 'they don't represent all blacks' would you come around with 'no true Scotsman fallacy'? I know way too many Christians who are very tolerant (has to be around 85% of the Christians I know) to accept that this represents a 'no true Scotsman fallacy'

DemsAreHypocrites

You FORCE your bedroom habits on us.....

No dude, clearly you go looking for those habits, my only question is 'why'??

Also, what's with using the word "homophobe"? It's a poorly made-up word, it's never used to describe people who actually have a phobia of homosexuals, and it is extremely disrespectful towards those people who have phobias that are actual psychological disorders (like agoraphobia) to misuse it like that.

caprdam - NO, homosexuality is NOT natural no matter how much BS and propaganda is spread in the schools and by those that have bought into perhaps the biggest media approved crusade in the last 75 years. Homosexuals are NOT born that way, they develop a preference for their same sex PERIOD just as some people prefer masturbation over actual sexual activity. It has nothing to do with hormones, chromosomes, or the shape of one's brain. I would no more want to share a room with a homosexual than I would a pedophile, for both suffer from sexual behavior disorders, one of a pathological nature, the other of a sexual identity confusion nature. THAT should be MY choice and not a universities. The sad fact of the matter is that gays and lesbians are made, not born, and all the valid, credible research of the last 200 years supports this fact. They are made by parents that refuse to reinforce gender based role model identification, by schools and institutions that are permeated with gays that have succeeded in removing religion and creationism from schools and put into place "diversity" programs, by a peer group that creates special accommodation for gays/lesbians, especially in adolescent years, that attracts kids who would otherwise be ignored and gives them "status", and most of all by a society that has abandoned morality, religion, and self-responsibility. I am tired of a minority population trying to force their view of unnatural, abnormal behavior on everyone else and then turn around and label them as "homophobes--right-wing, uneducated" and all the other crap used to demean anothers opinion or perception on reality. The REALITY of the NATURAL world is that members of the human species that prefer same-sex relationships are UNNATURAL and ABNORMAL. Just because people like captadam and Gordy would like to remake the entire foundational structure of beliefs in this nation does not mean the rest of us have to accept their BS and stick our heads in the sand like so many have done and ignore them. It's time to STOP ignoring them unless people want a totally Godless, immoral, abnormal, anything goes country - and that's the way it looks like we are heading.

Just for the record, I would be fine with sharing a room with a lesbian if she were a nice person, and I wrote what I did earlier as a supportive post to equal treatment for everyone. I am not religious and it is obvious that people don't choose to be straight or gay. JP, you have some issues, and one of them is ignorance.

I would love a godless country. Someone being gay is natural...that's why it happens in nature. The fact that you point out the removal of creationism from our schools as one of the reasons for our countries descent into the abyss is reason enough to know that you are not educated enough to appreciate the differences that naturally occur in humans...homosexuality being one of them.

just as some people prefer masturbation over actual sexual activity.

Then you're doing something wrong.

:)

Notsosure10 - There is no scientific evidence of biological, cellular, or genetic differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals...none...starting with the Human genome project and arriving at our current understanding of genetics and biology today.

That's simply an ignorant comment. Not only are there MRI studies showing brain structure differences (straight male brains are similar to gay female brains, etc) and other studies showing a neonatal hormone influence, but also a recent study demonstrating an epigenetic link.

Damn straight Bubba errr, Bill.

William BBQ and scotch....Uh Grab the Gas X!

Satanick

They are not required to answer the question, but some will probably answer in the crude, anti-social way that you suggest. But why just leave it blank when you have a golden opportunity to be obnoxious?

@don - It is Iowa ya know

Wisconsin

And your point is ?

Maybe not but with as small as dorm rooms are that would be a little uncomfortable. why not help avoid that problem. I would love a female roommate but she would probably be a little uncomfortable changing in front of me. friendship would not be a problem but living in the same room would.

'Cause Don, WIDAD knows that Iowa stands for Idiots Out Wandering About...

Why do you think it's not appropriate?

The LGBT community seems to think differently as this allows students to get the resources they otherwise wouldn't know the university provides. Their information is kept secured just like any other student.

How so? It could help prevent a hostile rooming environment, and aid in awareness of LGBT groups on campus. It is strictly confidential, and may ultimately prove benefical to LGBT students who enroll at the university(Let us also not ignore the fact that gay advocacy groups support the move).

They can ask you quite a number of things on those forms. You're not required to answer them. That's why it's appropriate. It's like marking the religious things on such forms. You can always mark declined to state.

Do you mind sharing a dorm with a gay person?

This could prevent some bad situations, like the one where the guy was videotaped and outed by his roomie, then commited suicide.

sam, although in that particular case Dahrun Ravi would have answered no.

Kal

And too bad for the gay student who stands a very good chance of being placed in the same room with a homophobe. And what are the chances that the roommate of this gay student is going to be happy with the placement, even if that roommate is not a hater? I submit to you that this is a bigger issue than just sharing economic status or religion.

There you go, another new category for the admission form: "hater"

Not that that's a bad thing. You could be sure that a student with that designation would not get paired up with a LesbianBisexualGayTransgenderQueer. Ha! I'm sorry, what does the Q really stand for anyway?

Still Working

I guess it's easy to determine your category. Stand up and be proud! And I agree with you ...... you really are sorry.

Don - Kal's point is not without at least a little bit of merit. I guess the question is whether or not the university plans on assigning roommates based on sexual identity. If not, I don't see how answering the question helps with your concern. The university doesn't ask students if they are homophobic or don't want a gay roommate so the university wouldn't know if they were putting the LBGT student with a homophobe or not. And, if I can have my choice for a gay roommate honored why not my preference for a heterosexual roommate of the opposite gender? Does the university also assign roommates based on race? I can't imagine that they do. The university's intended use of the information as it related to roommate selection is at least a valid question to ask.

Still - I believe the "Q" stands for Questioning.

a "very good" chance? Come on! And who's to say the gay student couldn't beat the heck out of the straight student? Kind of bigoted to assume all gays are whimps! And what if I beleive a black person would hate me so can I fill out my form so that I don't room with a minority?

Kal
Thank you! Finally someone else sees that questions such as these are discriminatory.

The liberals taught us the criteria I'm just so shocked that they get so angered when we expect EVERYONE to treat EVERYONE the same. What it shows is that they are bigoted as they only want special rules for the special groups that they have decided to create them for. They try to assign bigotry to someone being color, gender and orientation blind. If your room mate is an azz then change. That could be because they smell, don't clean, are too loud or don't like your lifestyle whether that's country music or orientation. Why are you making it a big deal? Campuses are one of the MOST accepting places how about trying to normalize not stigmatize. Come on libs, YOU taught us these rules don't cheapen them and make us question them by not being willing to follow them your hypocritical self!

I just looked it up. The Q can mean either Queer or Questioning. But I think another meaning for the Q could very well be Querolous.

Who you live with in that little dorm room is a pretty big deal, and I think colleges usually give students a lot of leeway to make sure they are comfortable with it. Treating everyone the same is one thing; living with them is something more than that.

LBGTQ -- Queer would be both redundant and controversial, so that isn't likely

LBGTQ -- Queer would be both redundant and controversial, so that isn't likely

Actually, it does stand for queer. It's a catch-all term that encompasses everyone, even those that don't fit in one of the other categories and don't fit in with society either.

You didn't bother to actually read the article, did you, Sheeyah? If you had you would have known the Q actually does stand for questioning, as in gay-curious or bi-curious. You have no business in this conversation since it is blatantly obvious you never went beyond the sixth grade. If you did you certainly only passed each grade as a social pass (due to advanced age).

How about a further breakdown. "Do you want to study and graduate with honors?" "Do you want to do drugs, drink a great deal of alcohol, waste time and money in college and get by with low grades?" I know my children are in college and studying. My daughter has friends in the LGBT community and supports that. What she minds more are the students in her classes wasting time, coming in late, hung over, wasting time and then asking her for information because of their lack of studying. How about that on the application?

This is not something the university is enforcing. It's optional for students to divulge this info if they wish to receive emails on resources focus more on their interests as well as being placed with someone who is like them to avoid situations like what happened at Reuters University. But as I said, it's OPTIONAL. Because it's optional, it's not labeled as discrimination or harassment unless the university uses a student's information (regardless of sexual orientation, sex, religion, race, etc.) against the student.

ahhh the changing times, glad to live in Iowa where most of us practice "Live And Let Live"

What I got from the story is that the university is trying to use this to better serve their students needs.

I also understand that they better do it right, or there will be hell to pay.

I very much agree with you! When I was in high school, there was a small group of us who did a club that was meant as a support group of LGBT students and straight students who supported their friends. I'm glad this university is doing something positive for a community that is usually ignored or denied support and resources.

In your case they need a checkbox for "clueless bigot."

Shrek, your opinion means nothing to me.

skrekk can check "ignorant hater". If you don't believe in Liberal discrimination they hate on you and try to make you think that up is down. Sorry dude. Connect the dots. What if the question was Jew? Same answer? I think not. They have NO business EVER asking something like this! That in and of itself is a form of discrimination. See libs, we listened when you explained all of this to us but you sure hate it when we demand that you to live up to YOUR criteria.

They ask several demographic questions and religion may well be one of them. It is not about admission but about services.

And it seems to make it clear the question is optional.

Kal Albert - skrekk can check "ignorant hater".

Tyler Clementi might be alive today if Dharun Ravi had checked the box for "ignorant hater" or "clueless bigot."

Ravi might have been ignorant and clueless, but he didn't seem like a hater or unusually bigoted. Juvenile may be the best word.

When assigning dorms, I don't really see a problem with trying to match people up and avoid potential conflicts.

Good point skrekk so why not "ignorant hater" box? Why not Jew? Why not African American? Why not Christian? Get it???? Your little issue is no bigger than anyone elses THAT is what makes it bigoted and discriminatory. Can't believe in 2012 this has to be explained to so called enlightened folk!

Same ole extreme and ignorant reaction from you same ole bigots, fearful bigots at that.

Working, none of us really care what our opinion's mean to you. We simply enjoy watching you folks make fools of yourselves.

Kal, if you read the article it says that the question is in a section with several other similar questions. There is no discrimination of any kind.

"Extreme" we know that's a bigot code word! Amazing how libs lecture everyone on not making decisions based on race, sex, orientation, religion and then turn around and make decisions based on all of those things and call others racists and bigots who REFUSE to allow that to happen! Your setting back your cause bro!

On the way to hell could be a category.

Jock then why ask it? It can only lead to trouble! I'm telling you I'm on the same side just pushing for awareness that the hypocrarcy creates a whole block of people who feel it's unfair and it counter pushes your effort.

What decision is the college making, based on the question they ask?

Seems to me the article says it's a service, so the Gay kids can decide where to seek connections

to housing and other like things.

I think people are taking this way out of context.

Kal, again if you read the article it makes it pretty clear. If you have more concerns, ask them; I'm sure they are used to dealing with them by now.

The question is optional and confidential, and they said they don't expect most people to answer it.

Kal Albert - Jock then why ask it?

To help provide access to services and support. This is the first time most of these kids will be living away from home, and it's also a traumatic time for many gay kids who haven't fully come to terms with their sexual orientation.

What if the question was Jew? Same answer? I think not.

College applications ask students about their religious affiliation and ethnicity. Answering isn't mandatory, but the statistics that are gathered are helpful.

lying dem- Keep that in mind next time you're checking out a woman's cleavage.

It's obvious you are a closet homosexual, sir, and a smart one at that! I applaud you for coming out right here in front of everyone. I know that was a big step, but I am sure life will get easier for you, from here on out. Just think of all the delicious cock you will be gobbling now that you are out and proud. Oh, the "cornholing" you have ahead of you... gracious!

I wouldn't want to get stuck rooming with some gay guy checking out my package.

They can't "check out" what isn't there. Don't flatter yourself.

I just feel I shouldn't have to be some gay guys eye candy.

I'm pretty sure you won't ever have to worry about being considered ANYONE'S "eye candy".

Please get some help with you mental illness

You first.

Not a bad idea but they have a space problem.

How could this possibly take away from any of those things.

Criminal activity would seem inappropriate, although on the other hand it might be good to know.

Ugggh - No!!

prog, that would be true only if people didn't have pre-conceived biases against it, like David for example.

I think if one could choose, 98 percent would choose to be straight and about 2 percent would choose to be... oh, wait.

Timothy, what you think rarely has anything to do with reality , so you are probably wrong here too.

If by pre-conceived notions you mean that I have pre-conceived notions such as beauty and not wanting to to put my manhood into something meant solely for disposing of excrement - then yes!!

David, if you were bisexual then you would by definitin have different notions of beauty, so it shouldn't be an issue. As for what sex acts you would choose that is largely irrelevant. There are people of all orientations that engage in sodomy and people of all orientations that do not.

I think the incidence of heterosexual sodomy is still far below being a majority. I do believe it has gone up in recent years due to an increase in sodomy based pornography, and due to general moral decay. That said, prog1 was saying that a majority of people would choose to be bisexual if given a choice. I don't think so.

That said, I believe in many ways Sexual Orientation is a choice or set of choices. We may all be born with a genetic disposition leaning one way or the other, but this is re-inforced by our actions and our environments. Who we are is way more than our genetics. It is a compilation of our whole life experience.

I think the incidence of heterosexual sodomy is still far below being a majority.

Who said that heterosexuals who engage in sodomy are the majority? Still, the figure is somewhere near 40%.

I do believe it has gone up in recent years due to an increase in sodomy based pornography, and due to general moral decay.

"Sodomy" and "morality" are two different things. Furthermore, morality is subjective; your so-called "morals" are immoral to many others.

I believe in many ways Sexual Orientation is a choice or set of choices. We may all be born with a genetic disposition leaning one way or the other, but this is re-inforced by our actions and our environments.

And, like so many others who ride the clueless train, you confuse orientation with behavior.

Ok ErinNJ - So I think we are just having semantic difficulties. If, when you say "Sexual Orientation" you solely mean a genetic pre-disposition towards having sexual attractions to men, women, or both - then fine. What I am trying to focus on is someone's "Sexual Identity". Thats something that is not solely based on genetics, but also by our lifetime experiences. Our attitudes, wants, and desires about ANYTHING (Not just sexual attraction) are influenced deeply by our life experiences. Check with any rational psychologist and they will agree with me. To a huge extent we are what we experience, and how our brains rationalize those life experiences. This is especially true during childhood and pubescence.

So I think we are just having semantic difficulties. If, when you say "Sexual Orientation" you solely mean a genetic pre-disposition towards having sexual attractions to men, women, or both - then fine. What I am trying to focus on is someone's "Sexual Identity".

David, get a clue -- that's what sexual orientation IS. You are talking about sexual behavior, not sexual orientation OR sexual identity. A person's sexual identity is inextricably linked to his/her sexual orientation.

It's interesting that you mention "rational psychologists" -- you should see one. Sooner rather than later.

No need for name calling. Perhaps I am confused as to the terms I should be using. However, I am not talking solely about sexual behaviour. I am talking about our attitudes, feelings, etc. Lets take another example - Belief in God. Our attitudes, thought processes, AND behaviour can change over time. Perhaps I was brought up and truly believed in God and prayed to him daily. And then my parents got sick. I prayed, and prayed, and then died nonetheless. Perhaps my attitudes and thought processes would then to believe there was no God. If I felt that way for a whle, I could then join the local group of atheists trying to extricate people from the "bonds" of fake religion. My attitudes could become even more staunch. But then I had a child, and they were in an accident, and in despration I turned back to God in prayer and my prayer was answered. My thoughts, attitudes, and behaviour (Basically "Who I am") could decidedly turn back to being a religous person. So - if by your definition "Sexual Orientation" means solely whom I am attracted to sexually - then Yes - I disagree with you. It is NOT solely genetic. I might agree with you that there is a genetic factor, but thats as far as I will go.

lol David, religious belief is associated with the higher areas of the brain (I know, surprising right?). Sexual attraction is one of the most base and primitive desires we have. False equivalency logical fallacy, dude. That's what that is.

I think the article answered those questions pretty well.

Really? Please provide the quote where it says that they won't use the information in admissions decisions.

I agree it would have been better if they had addressed that obvious question explicitly, but it seems pretty clear from the context.

Admissions decisions are not made based on application information that is optional to answer! A public school (and most privates) has published criteria (ACT, SAT scores, high school rank/GPA) that must be met for admissions. Generally, there aren't numerical limits as in private schools, so if you meet the published criteria, you're in.

Racial questions are ususally optional, but affirmative admissions standards do exist.

Yup, they got one finger pointing out, and three fingers pointing back at them.

I think it's a great service. Then I would know where to go to hang out with my Lesbo sistahs.

Ya know, throw a few cold ones back, play some pool. Get a date.

Hey Lucky, does the name Michelle Kissboot ring any bells?

Just curious. If not, then never mind.

Of Suicide Girls ?

That Michelle ?

I think this questionaire is not trying to discriminate only to identify whos who of the Licking Club so the Gay Community can locate their next Trick Sooner Than Later !

I would agree with that, but girls don't do the "trick" thing, that's why they call some of them "U-Haul Lesbians". LOL

I can't believe I looked up "U-Haul Lesbians".

And that wikipedia has an article for it!

Some people need to grow up and stop acting so juvenile. Your bigoted and adolescent jokes make me wonder if you ever ventured outside of the HS boys' locker room.

There were just as many gay people back then. Your comments make it clear why you didn't know about them.

That must be the Bush's did not attend UT.

You are showing your very bigoted side. It is not attractive at all, except to another bigot.

You must be a Christian. Only those so-called righteous people would ever voice such hatred.

Bob: you realize you're being entirely bigoted towards Christians, right? Oh the irony...

Stop bashing Christians. Not all Christians hate homosexuals. It really shouldn't matter what someone's sexual orientation is on whether they get into college or not. They shouldn't even ask on the application.

Oh yes Texas... remember the good old days when murder and hatred were just boys being boys. Yeah. The dumb-f*** old days.

Coming from someone who is a Christian and having been raised in church my whole life, I feel no hatred towards anyone who is gay. I will admit I didn't understand homosexuality for a long time, but I have never hated anyone who was homosexual. The Bible clearly says we are not allowed to judge others, so who am I to judge someone for how they live their life? This past semester I made friends with a girl in one of my classes whom I found out two months after meeting was a lesbian. I'll be honest, at first I was uneasy because I come from a very small community where sexuality is not discussed period and I had never really known anyone who was gay, but I realized she is a human being with feelings just like me so why should I treat her any different? Or why should I hate her just because she doesn't like men? To this day we remain friends and I don't see that ever changing. Please don't bash Christians because not all of us hate homosexuals.

Not the way it is being used.

Most commenters rarely notice anything after seeing the word "gay" in the title.

The question was not about private matters.

redshirt, I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

I doubt you would be accepted red@!$%# you brainless troll.