TO THE EDITOR:
In response to The Daily Tar Heel’s article about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer students being provided gender-neutral housing — or an alternative to living in dorms —I don’t think it’s fair for anyone to have to live in an uncomfortable situation. I am in full support of the idea of gender-neutral housing.
H.C. Black defined “tolerate” as “to allow so as not to hinder” and “to permit as something not wholly approved of.” In my opinion, this wholly applies here in relation to the LGBTQ community. Students who make it their goal to harass and chastise students different from themselves need to learn tolerance for different forms of sexuality, lifestyles and self-expression.
As a strong academic community, it is our goal to set the standard for other college campuses and, as Megan Cassella wrote, “allow individuals of any sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity to live together in UNC’s residence halls.”
College students have been the focus of many groups trying to decide what the most sufficient ways of introducing tolerance of other social groups might be. However, it is an issue that is going to take much more exposure.
Until then, the LGBTQ community deserves to feel safe, comfortable and accepted. Equality should be available to everyone.
Madeline Krapf
Freshman
Business Administration
