In a sign of advanced maturity so great that simple beings like myself cannot even begin to comprehend it, a single individual or group of individuals, undoubtedly making a conscious decision to share their heightened state of enlightenment with the rest of the ISU community, communicated to all of us earlier last week with a simple, eloquent message of only three words: “ISU Fag Rag.” (I can only hope that readers of this column can sense my dripping sarcasm in the previous sentence.)

So it appears that some people have a problem with homosexuality. I guess that comes as no shock to us anymore, given the amazing words of wisdom and intelligence that have been similarly spray-painted earlier this year on the walls of Durham Center and the Student Services Building and chalked outside the Farm House Museum.

Unfortunately, situations in which students stumble onto these types of anti-homosexuality statements are increasingly more common. We see them stenciled on the walls of the individual study desks at Parks Library or carved into the stall doors at any number of restrooms on campus. Not long ago, as we trudged indoors from the bitter winds and snow just before 8 some weekday morning, my classmates and I were welcomed by a little note that wished death upon those who are homosexual, scrawled in orange marker on the classroom’s back wall.

And what are the effects of this language and the attitudes of those who believe its message? To some extent, I am sure these messages are delivering their desired effect. Maybe another segment of the student body feels threatened, much like many of our classmates of Middle Eastern descent have felt in the days and months since the tragedy in New York.

If individuals have the intelligence to come up with such clever rhymes and the sophistication to spray paint their messages on the side of buildings, perhaps they also possess the hatred to physically harm. One can only hope the progression never takes us that far.

If nothing else, I am sure that these messages make many people uncomfortable, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Iowa State is a haven for so many of us, a location where we have finally had an opportunity to fend for ourselves and discover who we are. This is our home, and each and every one of us deserves to be comfortable in the place in which we live.

However, some are going out of their way to eliminate this comfort, this sense of security. I despise the fact that my classmates are being singled out and intimidated.

I respect that different people have different opinions on any number of topics, ranging from issues regarding sexuality to religion to the action of our country in dealing with Iraq. If you have objections to homosexuality, so be it. If you want to express these objections, by all means feel free to. There are many people, myself included, who would love to hear the thoughts behind your opinion. I am always up for a debate. But a scrawled message painted on a random wall is not an effective way of inspiring debate or lending any more credibility to your thoughts.

Somehow, I don’t think this revelation is going to influence your methods of spreading your beliefs. Sadly, I have to say I won’t be surprised if or when another message appears on campus.

Yet it appears that these articulate messages are largely going unheard. As far as I can tell, homosexuals are having the audacity to continue to live. They have the nerve to continue to be who they are, instead of conforming to the wishes of a few. They have the cockiness to continue to live their lives the way they wish and even feel confident enough to be proud of who they are.

It’s almost like they realize that most of the Iowa State community respects their freedom to live as they see fit, just as we respect those that choose to dye their hair, pierce their nose, or listen to classical music.

Or maybe they are just secure enough to understand they know best how to live their lives and be confident enough to respect the choices of others in their community.