The Bible Preaches Acceptance of Others [Movie Transcript]

Paul: So here we are in Christ Chapel at Gettysburg College. I'm gay and I'm also Episcopalian. The Episcopalian Church is actually being ripped apart ironically over the issue of homosexuality: back in '03, they appointed a gay Bishop and that caused a huge rift in the Church.

Personally, I see the scriptures as being--a lot of people impose themselves and their values. Some people will say, "I don't believe gays should be allowed to live in the Christian community," but then, they don't recognize the fact that passages of The Bible accept and encourage slavery or the abuse of women, so I feel that there are a lot of people who are tempted to pick and choose their choices.

As for me, I believe that most of The Bible definitely leans toward acceptance of people and faith in Christ. So, you can look at it either way: you can decide to subverse yourself and try to discriminate against some people, or you can accept most people in the faith of God.

I've Known Since I Met You, HAVE YOU MET YOU?! [Director's Commentary]

Yes, I'm one of those people who had the pleasure of meeting Bill back in 2005, when he was not only in the closet but homophobic. Like most people, I knew he was gay the moment we met but when I learned that he wasn't anywhere close to coming out, I didn't really try to be his friend. After some humiliating experiences with "closet cases," I found it best to simply avoid them altogether, especially if they poke fun at gays in order to affirm their heterosexuality. Along with the older ALLiES members, I was happy to put the past behind us and welcome Bill into the group during our senior year; he has become extremely comfortable with his sexuality, and I'm proud of him for being honest with himself and everyone else.


I understand Bill's predicament; for most of us, our families have acted as barriers, preventing us from coming out to everyone. In my house, my father didn't show much hostility towards gay people; he just had the attitude that they didn't really exist and if they did, they only lived in segmented parts of urban areas like NYC. Coming from a socially and politically conservative family, I can imagine that he's had a much harder time gaining full acceptance from them. To this day, he still identifies as a die-hard Republican, and I would chock that up to family influence.

I've Known Since I Met You, HAVE YOU MET YOU?! [Movie Transcript]

Bill: OK, so my Coming Out was a little bit later than most people's. I didn't come out until I was 20. It was the end of my sophomore year of college.

I think I've known that I was gay probably since I was 7th grade, because I just kinda knew I liked boys. But I never really want to admit it to myself because I didn't want to be different. And I was also raised in a homophobic household where my dad constantly told me that gay people were less than everyone else, so I didn't want to be apart of that.

So I just repressed it within me until I came to college, at the end of my sophomore year. I first came out to one of my friends here and told her. I said, "I think I'm gay." And she goes, "Yeah... I've known that since I met you. HAVE YOU MET YOU? It's pretty obvious that you are!" So I was like, "Alright."

And I learned to accept myself pretty quickly, so I was happy with that. How I realized I was gay? I had a guy friend who was just my friend but I realized that, to me, he was more than a friend. I was really attracted to him. ...Nothing ever happened but it did get me to Come Out.

On the Gettysburg campus, a lot of people think that it's a really homophobic school but I haven't really had any problems. I'm out to all of my friends here. And I would say that I'm completely Out. If anyone ever asked me, I would always tell them. I don't just volunteer it... without there being a reason for me to tell somebody I'm gay usually. But I would say I'm totally Out.

At home... not so much. Both my parents know but they've asked me not to tell any other family members because, I guess, it'll embarrass them. So I haven't told any other family members.

So yeah, my Coming Out was definitely stressful because I knew it was going to be a tough issue at home. My mom's OK with it now, but for my dad, it's definitely tough for him. So I try to be understanding to the fact that he doesn't really accept it, but it's kinda hard.

I WAS KNOWN AS "THE LESBIAN ON CAMPUS": At Least It Was Exposure To Some People (Celia)

I came out my sophomore year and joined Allies right away. There was one or two other OUT students that I knew of.

In college, I didn't really care about being out. I sort of immediately became the president of Allies and did a lot of stuff around campus. People I dated came to school and I held hands with them while we were walking around. I did get a lot of crap from people, but so many people were really supportive as well. It was sad to be known as “the Lesbian on campus”—before people really knew me, that is—but it was nice to know that it was exposure to some people, I guess.

I’m really curious about how accepting campus is now. I’ve visited and it was so nice to have the ALLiES gathering [the GALA Reception] over Homecoming [2007], where I got to meet many of you. I remember doing that once when I was in Allies and we had a couple come in. Always a small group, but it's so nice just to gather and share stories.

I wasn't as politically minded back then- and I really didn't know much about anything at all. I didn't really have any role models as far as learning about politics relating to GLBT issues. Sadly, I didn't do as much with Allies as I would have liked (in retrospect anyway)—but at least it was going and we did a few things... it wasn't until I moved to DC that I learned things and met up with different types of people and really learned more.

I live in DC now—have been here for 6 years. I’d definitely want to buy a house, get married, have children, etc.

BLACK, OVERWEIGHT, MIDDLE CLASS, NONRELIGIOUS BUTCH LESBIAN: I'm Attacked From All Sides (Nelly)

As soon as I moved to Pasadena in the fourth grade, I knew something was very, very different from Glen Burnie. Where my class was a nice mix and balance of racial minorities there, it was me... and James. That's it. It only became worse when James and I advanced in our educative careers, for we both were like, the token black kids in the AP classes.

Add to that the fact that I'm female, and the fact that I don't "act Black," and there's a double hit from both fronts. In the dating pool, I've gotten more flack about being a black woman ("Sorry, no black chicks" is a common sentence I see in personals ads) than I have for not acting "black enough" in high school.

Add to that the fact that I am, in fact, a lesbian? Good grief, triple minority there. And I'm not all super excited about religion? Oh, and how about wanting an education instead of getting high at any given opportunity, as well as keeping a steady job? The hole gets smaller and smaller when we get more specific in our minority classifications.

I never attempted to prioritize all the aspects of who I am, because I think they're all equally important and just as telling of my character. However, if I was to list them in order of acknowledgment, it would probably be something like:

1. Lesbian
2. Female
3. Educated
4. Overweight/Cuddly/Muscular
5. Black
6. Middle Class

Whenever I hear about discrimination of any minority group, I respond in kind. Either with passive-aggressive criticism, discussion within Freedom Alliance, or doing nothing. I wish I could afford to donate to advocacy groups, be it time or finances, but I honestly can't.

I consistently attend Freedom Alliance meetings. I go and discuss topics and listen to consenting or opposing opinions. Sometimes I go hang out with them outside of meeting times when I have time. I never tried to attend anything like the NAACP or the Black Student Union, simply because I don't want to, nor have time to. And, I feel like it will be just as disorganized as some other black student organizations, and don't wish to waste my time listening to the latest gossip and arguments that can happen and continue.

I may try it out this semester, though. I might go and see what it's all about, and really take a look into it.

FAGGOT: Why Try To Reclaim It? (Adaeze)

"Faggot" is one of the weirdest words ever! Come on! I do not know how a term for a bundle of sticks came to be a derogatory word for homosexuals. Really, people should stop using the term because it just makes them sound unintellgent.

Also, for those trying to "reclaim" the word faggot, why? Same with black people trying to reclaim the word "nigger" by changing the "er" to "a." Both words have a history of loss, struggle, and pain so why try and reclaim the word when the gay community is trying to fight against the discrimination and win justice and equality? Seriously when the group being discriminated using the same discriminatory words against themselves, isn't that self-hate?

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL: Initially It Was A Progressive Step... Now It's A Joke (Katelin)

1: I would never join any branch of the military whether I were straight or gay. It’s just not my thing; I don't like war. But to comment on that “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy... its completely disgusting that such an act of discrimination has been in force for as many years as it has. At the time, it was a progressive step... but now it’s a joke. "they", whoever "they" are, say soldiers knowing that fellow members are gay will cause a break in unity. This being the case, I applaud any Gay or Lesbian person who is strong enough to withhold their preference, simply to appease the homophobes. That is true dedication to one's country.

2: I went to catholic school for 13 years and it’s not the reason I am an atheist. I was always taught that God is cool with the gays as long as we don't "act" on our urges. It just doesn't add up to me, not that much religion (especially catholic) does add up in my mind. I think if I were religious enough to want to devote my life to god, my sexuality would not hinder my decision. If I was devout, I would truly believe god loves me not for who I lay next to in bed, but the intentions I have of being a morally upstanding citizen staying true to commandments of God... and true ones, not the radical, misinterpreted passages many use against homosexuals.

I HAD A HOMOPHOBIC ROOMMATE: She Refused To Watch RENT and Tila Tequila (Tory)

Freshman year I lived with a girl I would consider homophobic. She never said anything specific about why or anything. I've never even heard her say anything negative about homosexuality, but she refused to watch Rent or A Shot at Love just because homosexuality was a topic and gay people were involved. She's still one of my close friends, but needless to say, I will not be bringing her over to Allies house... We did have some tension because of this, but generally I avoiding bringing up the subject since we had a great relationship otherwise.

Sophomore year my roommate was bisexual, but only out to a small number of people on campus, because she thought her teammates would not approve. Since living with her she has come out, and is now living with my Freshman year roommate (as of last week)...so this should be an interesting situation.

HELL FROZEN OVER: Frostburg, Maryland (Bryan)

Frostburg, Maryland is about two hours away from Gettysburg. It's a town a tad smaller than Gettysburg, without a liberal arts college to balance things out in very, very western Maryland. I’ve been there all my life.

“How large was/is the population of openly gay citizens?” If they’re here, I don’t know where they’ve been hiding all my life.

“How accepting were people at my high school?” NOT accepting. Completely homophobic. Frankly, my family and I were concerned that I would be beaten up and alienated if I had come out during high school. Outside of the school, the area’s pretty conservative and homophobic. Given there isn’t even a sizable out population here of “townies,” I would say my town isn’t accepting at all.

I’m not proud of my hometown in the least. In fact, I’m supremely disappointed and truly, truly wish I could have grown up somewhere else.

“Did I come to Gettysburg to "escape" my hometown?” YES, yes, and YES! What kept me going for the past 3 years was the thought of going to college and finally being able to be open and with other GLBT people my age. I know people say that there are very few GLBT students, but compared to knowing NO GLBT students in my high school, Gettysburg is a small paradise.

I didn’t feel safe or comfortable being openly gay in school, and that’s why I didn’t come out there.

Frankly, I hate this town. Minus a few dozen friends and family members, I would be happy to never set foot here again. I tend to get sad and irritated if I’m here too long. I will never live here again. I just can’t… It’s been really hard staying here even over this break [3-week Winter Break]. A huge part of me just wanted to stay on campus and hang out with my international friends. I would have been fine seeing family members and friends for a few days and then leaving. Sadly circumstances prevented me from doing just that.

I’m completely open at Gettysburg. And it’s fucking awesome. I feel totally comfortable in being who I am. For the first time in my life, all my friends know and we can joke about it and everything. It feels pretty amazing, honestly.