“You can shove your lesbian story up some dike’s ass for all I care,” said one of my eleven fans last Thursday night.

The words “Queer Lover” were also found inscribed in my door early Friday morning, all in reaction to last Thursday’s feature on a lesbian relationship.

I wrote this story about Joelle Andrew and Reis Pearson with only good intentions in mind. It really worries me knowing there are people here at Iowa State that are angry enough that they want to hurt the people involved with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) issues.

I am assuming the goals of these threats were to scare me, and others involved, into cutting off LGBT support on this campus. Ironically, and unfortunately for those opposed, it has only pushed others, along with myself, to take an even stronger stand in bringing awareness to this community.

As an ally, I refuse to suppress from something that I have come to support so intensely. It is sad to think that some people can feel so threatened by an article that was never attacking them in the first place.

On the other hand, I was overjoyed to see such a strong reaction taking place.

It really shows that people are doing more than just reading about this controversial lifestyle, they are more importantly thinking about it.

This type of backlash only proves that more needs to be done to increase awareness and gain better visibility for the LGBT community. It also suggests that these uncultured, close minded vandalists finally saw a speck of light at the end of the tunnel, and I think it scared them.

At first, the idea of writing this follow-up was out of the question in my opinion.

I was afraid to stir up any animosity that had finally settled, but I now realize that was exactly the reaction those who called and carved words in my door wanted me to feel.

Then, after receiving numerous messages form supporters of the article encouraging me to continue the fight, I decided not to cut myself off from writing about homosexuality.

A fellow ally told me that it’s not going to be easy taking a stand in this debate when it’s not my fight. Good, I like a challenge.

I have built a bridge for myself and I refuse to tear that down when I have so much more to learn.

The violence and threats are not going to keep the people involved in LGBT quiet. In fact it is only creating a louder roar.

I received an e-mail with a quote from Maggie Kuhn, co-founder of the Gray Panthers who said, “Speak to the people you fear, even if your voice shakes.”

That’s what I plan to do.