The article that offered a glimpse into the life of a lesbian couple was a welcome addition to the Daily.

There are many lesbians here at ISU, although we tend to be marginalized and invisible. When I saw the article about Reis and Joelle, with “lesbian” in the title, I was initially delighted.

Although the Daily helped to make ISU lesbians more visible, I feel that it is unfortunate that the article seemed to stress some negative aspects about being lesbian.

In particular, I think that the choice of photo to accompany the article was poor. Surely, you could have picked a photo that was more representative of the joy most lesbians feel about their life.

The one chosen, which pictured one of the women crying, and the other one solemnly comforting her, seemed to perpetuate the false stereotype of lesbians as sad, pitiful people who are routinely disowned by their family.

This does not seem to be a fitting portrayal of lesbians during Coming Out Week, which is a time to celebrate our visibility and joy at being queer.

And although both Joelle and Reis suffered great emotional pain when their parents rejected them after being told about their lesbianism, not all parents follow this tragic pattern.

Half of all American parents, when told about their child’s homosexuality, are immediately accepting. This is an important fact to remember during Coming Out Week, especially for those people who are considering telling their parents about their homosexuality.

Although many family members immediately accept the news, even being happy for their loved one, often they have to go through the same type of coming out process that queer people go through.

Initially they may deny or ignore the fact of homosexuality (“It’s just a phase you’re going through”), then they may pass through a shock and anger stage (“I can’t believe that you would do this to us”), even a bargaining phase (“your lover can come to Thanksgiving dinner, but only if you promise not to tell your grandparents that she is your lover”).

The really good news for lesbian, gay and bisexual people is that a majority of family members finally come to a place of acceptance about their loved one’s homosexuality.

Coming Out Week is an important time for queers on campus and in the larger community. The Daily did well in highlighting lesbians who have done much to increase lesbian visibility on campus.

We should all keep in mind, however, that people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered are each unique individuals. No one person is representative of the whole queer community. More articles about us will help to increase knowledge about our community, and hopefully will work to decrease the hostility felt by homophobic people.

I’m sure that I speak for many others when I ask that you print more stories (and more photos) about us.

And not just during Coming Out Week!

Jensine Anahita

Junior

Sociology and Women’s Studies