The Optimist

Miriam Kerler

Staff Writer

In recent years terms such as ‘fag’ and gay’ echoed through South hallways as insults used to target both homosexuals and those whom were believed to be inferior. More recently it can be observed that such words have been replaced, and there has been an evident increase in the acceptance or at least, tolerance of homosexuality. While times change, so do the purposes and urgencies of clubs which have been dedicated to making targeted gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students feel more comfortable.
Over the past fifteen years the club PROUD has served a vital purpose for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students (GLBT) who seek a safe haven from prejudice experienced at school, home, and the general community. PROUD stands for People Respecting Others Unique Differences and is sponsored by Carla Gardner and John Jeffries, Language Arts. It was initiated by one student who was motivated to spread awareness about the gay community and the injustices brought to those who announced their homosexuality, while offering a support system to those who had to confront homophobia and those who witnessed such discrimination.
 When a division of PROUD first began at South in 1994, discussions with superintendants, teachers, and parents were conducted in order to establish the rights of the group. “It should not surprise anyone to hear that sponsors of the club and students in it have had to go to the mat more than once for our right to be treated just like any other club, or for gay students to be treated and protected in the same ways other students are,” Gardner said. However, Gardner assures that South’s current administration have been in great support of the group and helped the club’s students to feel like “valued members of the school community” as Gardner said.
 Club leader Junior Maya Wahrman believes South’s administration has helped contribute to student’s tolerance of their homosexuals’ peers differences. “The school’s administration has been so supportive the past few years that there are much fewer sexual orientation based harassment cases than there were, and so PROUD’s niche as a support group has gotten smaller,” said Wahrman.
 Not only is it evident that school administration has become more supportive of homosexual students, but it appears that students have become much more accepting of their gay peers. Because of a greater acceptance of homosexuality, PROUD meetings have been much more productive in their fundraising organization. “We have more time now to work on setting fund-raising goals because we need less time to deal with harassment,” said Gardner. This year PROUD was in charge of the school-wide Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF fundraiser. Despite the club’s efficiency, the new acceptance of homosexuality may have also contributed to a decrease in the club’s attendance.
At its peak the club included 25 members of both allies and GLBT students. In more recent years the club population has declined to 6 or 7 regular members. Although the purpose of the club has remained, there seems to be less urgency for such a group. “Gay slurs and hallway harassments were typical a decade ago for many students; while these have not completely disappeared, they’re not the commonplace happenings of years past, nor do most teachers hesitate these days to stop disparagement of gays if that happens in the classroom,” Gardner stated.
 
 PROUD includes both underclassmen and upperclassmen, evenly divided amongst the two. While many underclassmen may attend meetings this year, Junior Nick Heinzen believes that the group has become less of a priority as he has grown. Heinzen has been a PROUD member since his freshman year, yet he recognizes a significant difference in the purposes that the club fulfills today. “I haven’t been as much recently. I already feel safe, while when I was younger, I felt more insecure,” said Heinzen. Heinzen also believes though that although the club served a valid purpose for him when he was younger, his new found maturity is not his only reason for not returning as a consistent attendant of PROUD meetings. “Nowadays it [being gay] is much more accepted.
said Heinzen.
            Senior leader Willow Hughes also pointed out the prime location for a GLBT club. “Bloom magazine named Bloomington ‘The Number One Gay  Small Town,’” said Hughes. Hughes sees the clubs local success to be representative of national progress concerning the acceptance of homosexuality. “I’m not necessarily sure that it’s a “new” acceptance for homosexuality, but I think acceptance is certainly spreading,” said Hughes. “Five states have passed gay-marriage laws and three more recognize the unions without granting them.  It’s been a long fight and slow coming, but I think that we’re finally getting somewhere.”
 PROUD still continues to influence South students despite the widening tolerance of homosexuality. “I’ve learned a lot about the issues surrounding homosexuality, past and present,” said Wahrman. “I feel I have been able to do some effectual things.” The club has prompted many participating students to be active in their community. “We fill a need perceived by students to be important, we are entirely student run, and we give students a chance to develop leadership skills,” Gardner said.