Gay and in med school?

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Flopotomist

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I am currently applying for 2006, and after reading about some of the nightmarish stories from gay and lesbian students at New York Medical College, want to make sure I don't end up in some homophobic hell hole. Are there any schools that are particularly good/bad for gay students? I am not some major activist, so am not going to put anything in my personal statement about it, and don't feel like brining it up in an interview, but just wondered. Thanks in advance!
 
Eeeeeeasy there tiger. I'm a student at NYMC, and while what the administration did is wrong, and I have been outspoken against it, I wouldn't call it "nightmarish" or "a homophobic hell hole." (For those of you who don't know, there had previously been a club, "the support group," which was essentially a very quiet GLBT club. For this year, the president of the club wanted to call it the GLBT People in Medicine Club and have a few events. The administration shot it down, as well as stating that homosexual couples are not welcome in student housing. As it is, people in student housing must all be students, or legally married to one)

A few points. The student body has been fighting the administration. The administration does not otherwise discriminate on the basis of orientation (that I am aware of). There is not a general sense of oppression. This does not excuse the school for their actions, but I thought you should know what is and what is not going on. If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a PM.

Best of luck with your applications.
 
dankev said:
Eeeeeeasy there tiger. I'm a student at NYMC, and while what the administration did is wrong, and I have been outspoken against it, I wouldn't call it "nightmarish" or "a homophobic hell hole." (For those of you who don't know, there had previously been a club, "the support group," which was essentially a very quiet GLBT club. For this year, the president of the club wanted to call it the GLBT People in Medicine Club and have a few events. The administration shot it down, as well as stating that homosexual couples are not welcome in student housing. As it is, people in student housing must all be students, or legally married to one)

A few points. The student body has been fighting the administration. The administration does not otherwise discriminate on the basis of orientation (that I am aware of). There is not a general sense of oppression. This does not excuse the school for their actions, but I thought you should know what is and what is not going on. If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a PM.

Best of luck with your applications.

Thanks for the response. I was sad that I had to take NYMC off of my list, because I was really excited about the school - but I just don't see myself spending my time fighting an organization that openly does not want me there. I am glad though that the attitude of the administration is not shared by all of the students, but I would prefer to endure the hardships of medical school without the added hardship of an administration that was repulsed by me.

I wonder how this whole thing will affect the number, type, and quality of applicants to the school this year.
 
I guess they see Gay people as alright as long as they aren't "upity" and "know their place"? GRRR, stupid crap like that annoys me. One of my close friends in school is gay and I see how much it hurts him when some narrow minded schmuck does something hateful. Then to think an actual educational organization actively discriminates, GRRR.
 
this entire thread is gay.

it's medical school... not the SF day parade. no one's going to ask and we don't want you to tell. just act professional and there shouldn't be a problem.

and it really sounds like NYMC "lost out" by not having an effeminate sissy join their ranks. you really showed them.

we need more republicans in medicine anyway... not sissy democrats.
 
Well, I really had no problems during the application cycle and my experiences at school have been fine so far. I pretty much stuck to schools in the coasts and in larger metropolitan areas and stayed away from schools with religious affiliations. I found you can figure out a lot about the school and its climate without talking about it at interview day. Do a search online and see if the school has an active GLBT group on campus and then contact them. You can also check out AMSA LGBT People in Medicine as they maintain lists of students/residents who are out at their school and willing to talk to perspective students. I think current students are your best resource. You can also search on the pre-allo forum because this has been discussed there. Just ignore all the extraneous junk that comes up on those threads and you can find some good info about people's experiences at various schools. Good luck.
 
typeB-md said:
this entire thread is gay.

it's medical school... not the SF day parade. no one's going to ask and we don't want you to tell. just act professional and there shouldn't be a problem.

and it really sounds like NYMC "lost out" by not having an effeminate sissy join their ranks. you really showed them.

we need more republicans in medicine anyway... not sissy democrats.

Actually, what we need are open minded physicians who do not make judgements about others so quickly. I thank you, however, for your post. It demonstrates perfectly the challenges faced by GLBT students. Please note, not all gay men are effeminate, and not all are democrats. However, all deserve respect.

The entire premise of don't ask, don't tell as you suggest is ridiculous. Should I then be forced to hide my partner of five years? Should I change the emergency contact information so as not to "reveal" the fact that I am gay?

Why not this for a change - why don't YOU keep your homophobic, biased, prejudiced, likely racist opinions to YOURSELF. This isn't a klan rally. Perhaps if you were to do that, then there wouldn't be a problem.
 
Flopotomist said:
Actually, what we need are open minded physicians who do not make judgements about others so quickly. I thank you, however, for your post. It demonstrates perfectly the challenges faced by GLBT students. Please note, not all gay men are effeminate, and not all are democrats. However, all deserve respect.

The entire premise of don't ask, don't tell as you suggest is ridiculous. Should I then be forced to hide my partner of five years? Should I change the emergency contact information so as not to "reveal" the fact that I am gay?

Why not this for a change - why don't YOU keep your homophobic, biased, prejudiced, likely racist opinions to YOURSELF. This isn't a klan rally. Perhaps if you were to do that, then there wouldn't be a problem.

Dude I totally agree with your tirade, but my opinion is that it is better to ignore a pile of shi+, rather than step on it. By responding to that jerks remarks, you not only acknowledge him/her but you also encourage it.
 
You are not welcome here... bye bye.
typeB-md said:
this entire thread is gay.

it's medical school... not the SF day parade. no one's going to ask and we don't want you to tell. just act professional and there shouldn't be a problem.

and it really sounds like NYMC "lost out" by not having an effeminate sissy join their ranks. you really showed them.

we need more republicans in medicine anyway... not sissy democrats.
 
typeB-md said:
this entire thread is gay.

it's medical school... not the SF day parade. no one's going to ask and we don't want you to tell. just act professional and there shouldn't be a problem.

and it really sounds like NYMC "lost out" by not having an effeminate sissy join their ranks. you really showed them.

we need more republicans in medicine anyway... not sissy democrats.


😡 NOT COOL AT ALL!!!!!
 
university of maryland = GBLT friendly

we have a group on campus that i believe is fairly active and meets regularly. also, i have several gay and lesbian classmates - and honestly, i don't think there sexual preference has ever come up. they have brought partners to dances and other school events. also, being in a fairly large city - there are certainly GBLT communities that can also serve in a supportive way.
 
UCONN has a LBGT/Straight alliance. They seem to have become more active this past year. LGBT patient issues are incoporated into our curriculum in both our clinical skills and regular curriculum.

I think no matter where you go there will be people who see it as a non-issue and others who silently disapprove. I would hope open hostility would not be encountered, but unfortunately it still is a possiblity. All in all, my classmates are pretty non-judgemental. I'm sure there are some who feel homosexuality is wrong, but I think the vast majority would welcome you and your partner.
 
As you might have guessed, the University of Vermont is GBLT-friendly. Students in general are very liberal politically at UVM (which in my mind is a good thing).
 
Thanks all for the responses - a lot of schools that aren't on my list on here though (darned residency requirements)
 
Wayne State in Detroit has a LBGT organization as well and the couple of friends that i have that are gay at my school are well accepted and have not been discriminated in any way. Also, we have a whole unit in clinical medicine on LBGT issues. Good luck!
 
NYMC is actually pretty gay-friendly. If you're talking about the students and the faculty, which are pretty much the only people you encounter day to day. The only part of NYMC that is not gay-friendly is the board of trustees and the deans....all of whom I've never had any contact with whatsoever. So if you went to NYMC, it's not like you'd be walking into a room of people staring at you and judging you all day long. We students at NYMC are STILL fighting the decision made by our administration, and I know at least one faculty member resigned over the issue. So while our administration and deans may be living in the dark ages, the faculty and students are not. Those tend to be the people who shape your experience and education in medical school anyways.

It's not a good school to attend if you would like to be active in organizing clubs or events specifically pertaining to the special medical needs of the GLBT community. That is where NYMC falls way short of other schools. NYMC will not give funding for GLBT clubs. That's the problem.
 
typeB-md said:
this entire thread is gay.

it's medical school... not the SF day parade. no one's going to ask and we don't want you to tell. just act professional and there shouldn't be a problem.

and it really sounds like NYMC "lost out" by not having an effeminate sissy join their ranks. you really showed them.

we need more republicans in medicine anyway... not sissy democrats.
👎
 
I don't think you have much to worry about. We have a bunch of 'queers' in my class and we're in west TX and half the admissions committee is Mormon (not exactly gay-tollerant). If ya'll can get in and thrive out here, then NYC shouldn't be an issue. Wouldn't you rather be at a place fighting for rights... or do you just want to blend in (kind of how it is here)?

Funny, though, most of the gay people in my class are serious gunners 👎
 
gay in med school -- WHO CARES???

Really, no one is going to give a **** about your sexual orientation. Really. Your classmates will be worried about themselves, their grades, their board scores, etc.
 
bigfrank said:
gay in med school -- WHO CARES???

Really, no one is going to give a **** about your sexual orientation. Really. Your classmates will be worried about themselves, their grades, their board scores, etc.
Amen!
 
bigfrank said:
gay in med school -- WHO CARES???

Really, no one is going to give a **** about your sexual orientation. Really. Your classmates will be worried about themselves, their grades, their board scores, etc.

I totally agree. Just like black people and women shouldn't care if they get into medical school. They should consider themselves lucky to be finally accepted. They just need to be sure not to tell anybody that they are black or a women and then we would have a problem. Don't ask, don't tell.
 
dankev said:
GLBT club
Sounds like a fancy deli sandwich...no pun intended. 😉

...as well as stating that homosexual couples are not welcome in student housing. As it is, people in student housing must all be students, or legally married to one...
I'd have to agree that who cares what the club's called but do people really have a problem w/ the student housing deal?

Student housing should be for students and their spouses. In MOST places "partners" aren't much different legally than girlfriends or boyfriends. Should my girlfriend (I'm male) be allowed to "benefit" from student housing?
Of course not.

I'm with the:
gay in med school -- WHO CARES???

Really, no one is going to give a **** about your sexual orientation. Really. Your classmates will be worried about themselves, their grades, their board scores, etc.

Everyone is different in some way and subject to ridicule/being ostracized/discriminated against...at least to some extent.

If you're:

-conservative vs. liberal someone will want to project their opinions on you often offensively.
-WWF member vs. avid hunter you're sure to hear about it.
-a former athlete people will often assume you're a dumb jock or got in through "connections."
-uncommonly attractive or have money many people may assume you've automatically got it easy.
-a minority people may believe you get special treatment...

It's endless really...but everyone has to put up with crap/ignorance. Why spend energy worrying about others?
 
LSUwannabe said:
I'd have to agree that who cares what the club's called but do people really have a problem w/ the student housing deal?

Student housing should be for students and their spouses. In MOST places "partners" aren't much different legally than girlfriends or boyfriends. Should my girlfriend (I'm male) be allowed to "benefit" from student housing?
Of course not.
Sure. But you have the option of marrying your girlfriend.

LSUwannabe said:
Everyone is different in some way and subject to ridicule/being ostracized/discriminated against...at least to some extent.

If you're:

-conservative vs. liberal someone will want to project their opinions on you often offensively.
-WWF member vs. avid hunter you're sure to hear about it.
-a former athlete people will often assume you're a dumb jock or got in through "connections."
-uncommonly attractive or have money many people may assume you've automatically got it easy.
-a minority people may believe you get special treatment...

It's endless really...but everyone has to put up with crap/ignorance. Why spend energy worrying about others?
If you honestly think that the "exclusion" suffered by someone who is too attractive or athletic is as hurtful as all other types of discrimination, I think you've led a fairly blinkered life.

(BTW, you're far from being the only person who talks like this. I've heard this sort of garbage from a number of Housing staff in a major North American university.)
 
brightblueeyes said:
Sure. But you have the option of marrying your girlfriend.)

Well you could always move to Massachusetts where you would have the option. 🙂
 
zubirix2k said:
Wayne State in Detroit has a LBGT organization as well and the couple of friends that i have that are gay at my school are well accepted and have not been discriminated in any way. Also, we have a whole unit in clinical medicine on LBGT issues. Good luck!
Which school do you go to?
 
Furrball2 said:
I guess they see Gay people as alright as long as they aren't "upity" and "know their place"? GRRR, stupid crap like that annoys me. One of my close friends in school is gay and I see how much it hurts him when some narrow minded schmuck does something hateful. Then to think an actual educational organization actively discriminates, GRRR.

hahahah yo ill bet hes closet, 100%
 
Jalby said:
I totally agree. Just like black people and women shouldn't care if they get into medical school. They should consider themselves lucky to be finally accepted. They just need to be sure not to tell anybody that they are black or a women and then we would have a problem. Don't ask, don't tell.
not sure about this. Badly placed satire vs. badly played logic. To reiterate, noone cares if you're a black female lesbian either. Really.

Back in service, ol' buddy?

😉
 
bigfrank said:
not sure about this. Badly placed satire vs. badly played logic. To reiterate, noone cares if you're a black female lesbian either. Really.

Back in service, ol' buddy?

😉
But I am sure that the people who says "No one cares" will suddenly start caring when some guy brings their boyfriend to the school dance.
 
brightblueeyes said:
Sure. But you have the option of marrying your girlfriend.
So what?

Whether I can/do marry my girlfriend has nothing to do with whether she benefits AS a medical school student/spouse. It's not an issue of gay marriage so don't make it one.

Same sex partners are not (in most states) afforded the same legal rights as married couples. Take up that battle with someone other than your medical school.

It's not complicated, "student housing" or "married student housing" is not equivalent to "whomever wants to cohabitate housing." Don't blame a school for the law.

If you honestly think that the "exclusion" suffered by someone who is too attractive or athletic is as hurtful as all other types of discrimination, I think you've led a fairly blinkered life.

(BTW, you're far from being the only person who talks like this. I've heard this sort of garbage from a number of Housing staff in a major North American university.)

I never claimed any "exclusion" was as/more/less hurtful than ALL of anything...but again so what?
The point you ignored is that everyone has a cross to bear...so why cry about it?

With all due respect to your "blinkered" reference apparently based on something I did not claim, I try not to make presumptions about others' lives.
Disagreeing is one thing; comparing another's opinion to "garbage" is an incredibly weak argument.
 
USC-Keck has a very LGBT friendly administration. BU and Harvard are also very LGBT friendly. Best of luck. 👍
 
Everyone has some cross to bear?

**Do you have to worry about your family disowning you because you don't date the girl they like--and she's a run-of-the-mill girl...i.e. average/normal in every respect?
**Does your state economically and legally support your relationship by marriage--the last time I checked, homosexuals had to spend large sums of money on lawyers to draw up legal contracts to procure a FEW of the 1,000+ benefits that marriage offers. Joint taxes, health insurance, inheritance laws, property...the list goes on...
**Do you ever feel completely ostracized by your church for who you date? I don't exactly feel comfortable putting my arm around my significant other like many other men in the congregation--much less feel welcomed by the Christian community.
**Do you ever worry about getting a bad eval because a resident doesnt like gays?
**How would you feel if you sat down in a restaurant with your girlfriend and many people began staring at you?
**How would you feel if someone started bashing gays and didn't realize that you were?
**Do you ever fear for your LIFE? When I have withold all affection for a boyfriend because of some area (redneck, etc) that I'm in...I think that qualifies. I know plenty of gays who take the rainbow sticker off their car when they go camping or go to certain areas. If you dont' believe this, check out the cases quoted by activists in states where ppl are pushing for hate crimes laws.

I could go on and on...I think this is a bit more than a "cross to bear" as everyone does. Unfortunately, your attitude is simlar to many in the world today. If you approach your patient with the same dissmissiveness, I can guarantee they'll give the same in return.

FYI, there are many non-stereotypical gays, and I fit in that category, so don't try to defer some of my arguments above as "attention seeking behavior and will thus incur the wrath of the public."

Therefore, I respectfully disagree with your "The point you ignored is that everyone has a cross to bear...so why cry about it?" Our country lags the Western world regarding civil rights, and this is no exception. In action or in feeling, we all love to have someone to hate. Over time this progressed from blacks, immigrants, communists, terrorists, and gays.



LSUwannabe said:
So what?

Whether I can/do marry my girlfriend has nothing to do with whether she benefits AS a medical school student/spouse. It's not an issue of gay marriage so don't make it one.

Same sex partners are not (in most states) afforded the same legal rights as married couples. Take up that battle with someone other than your medical school.

It's not complicated, "student housing" or "married student housing" is not equivalent to "whomever wants to cohabitate housing." Don't blame a school for the law.



I never claimed any "exclusion" was as/more/less hurtful than ALL of anything...but again so what?
The point you ignored is that everyone has a cross to bear...so why cry about it?

With all due respect to your "blinkered" reference apparently based on something I did not claim, I try not to make presumptions about others' lives.
Disagreeing is one thing; comparing another's opinion to "garbage" is an incredibly weak argument.
 
orion1978 said:
Everyone has some cross to bear?

**Do you have to worry about your family disowning you because you don't date the girl they like--and she's a run-of-the-mill girl...i.e. average/normal in every respect?
**Does your state economically and legally support your relationship by marriage--the last time I checked, homosexuals had to spend large sums of money on lawyers to draw up legal contracts to procure a FEW of the 1,000+ benefits that marriage offers. Joint taxes, health insurance, inheritance laws, property...the list goes on...
**Do you ever feel completely ostracized by your church for who you date? I don't exactly feel comfortable putting my arm around my significant other like many other men in the congregation--much less feel welcomed by the Christian community.
**Do you ever worry about getting a bad eval because a resident doesnt like gays?
**How would you feel if you sat down in a restaurant with your girlfriend and many people began staring at you?
**How would you feel if someone started bashing gays and didn't realize that you were?

I could go on and on...I think this is a bit more than a "cross to bear" as everyone does. Unfortunately, your attitude is simlar to many in the world today. If you approach your patient with the same dissmissiveness, I can guarantee they'll do the same for you.

FYI, there are many non-stereotypical gays, and I fit in that category, so don't try to defer some of my arguments above as "attention seeking behavior and will thus incur the wrath of the public."

:wow: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
 
Jalby said:
But I am sure that the people who says "No one cares" will suddenly start caring when some guy brings their boyfriend to the school dance.

agreed
 
Nobody will care. Your choice of partner is a private decision. If you don't make your orientation an issue, nobody will give a #$&# #*&.

Don't make your career plans dependent on the question whether the GLBT club gets school funding or not.

(btw. you guys/gals would be better off dropping the 'BT' part of GLBT. Most 'normal' folks can deal with the 'GL' thing these days, it's the 'BT' part that weirds them out.)
 
That is precisely it--why don't you go around for several weeks not mentioning your significant other and see how that is. Nice to know that if I mention my boyfriend, is "making it an issue."

f_w said:
Nobody will care. Your choice of partner is a private decision. If you don't make your orientation an issue, nobody will give a #$&# #*&.

Don't make your career plans dependent on the question whether the GLBT club gets school funding or not.

(btw. you guys/gals would be better off dropping the 'BT' part of GLBT. Most 'normal' folks can deal with the 'GL' thing these days, it's the 'BT' part that weirds them out.)
 
f_w said:
Nobody will care. Your choice of partner is a private decision. If you don't make your orientation an issue, nobody will give a #$&# #*&.

But one's choice of partner isn't really a private decision. That's why we have weddings and marriages when we publicly proclaim to the world our attachment to one person for the rest of our lives. During med school orientation, one of the first things you will learn about your classmates is who's married, engaged, attached, single, with children, etc. Are you married? Can you imagine keeping that a secret from everyone if you were? I can't imagine keeping my husband hidden from everyone, and I don't think he'd appreciate it very much either. Unfortunately, for many gay Americans, if they mention their partner, some people scream "you're pushing the 'gay agenda' in everyone's faces!" I mean, if the first thing this new med student does is come to orientation wrapped with a rainbow flag and makes an announcement up on stage that he's gay, I can see that's making it an issue. But come on, I don't think he's planning on doing that.
 
orion1978 said:
Everyone has some cross to bear?

**Do you have to worry about your family disowning you because you don't date the girl they like--and she's a run-of-the-mill girl...i.e. average/normal in every respect?
**Does your state economically and legally support your relationship by marriage--the last time I checked, homosexuals had to spend large sums of money on lawyers to draw up legal contracts to procure a FEW of the 1,000+ benefits that marriage offers. Joint taxes, health insurance, inheritance laws, property...the list goes on...
**Do you ever feel completely ostracized by your church for who you date? I don't exactly feel comfortable putting my arm around my significant other like many other men in the congregation--much less feel welcomed by the Christian community.
**Do you ever worry about getting a bad eval because a resident doesnt like gays?
**How would you feel if you sat down in a restaurant with your girlfriend and many people began staring at you?
**How would you feel if someone started bashing gays and didn't realize that you were?
**Do you ever fear for your LIFE? When I have withold all affection for a boyfriend because of some area (redneck, etc) that I'm in...I think that qualifies. I know plenty of gays who take the rainbow sticker off their car when they go camping or go to certain areas. If you dont' believe this, check out the cases quoted by activists in states where ppl are pushing for hate crimes laws.

I could go on and on...I think this is a bit more than a "cross to bear" as everyone does. Unfortunately, your attitude is simlar to many in the world today. If you approach your patient with the same dissmissiveness, I can guarantee they'll give the same in return.

FYI, there are many non-stereotypical gays, and I fit in that category, so don't try to defer some of my arguments above as "attention seeking behavior and will thus incur the wrath of the public."

Therefore, I respectfully disagree with your "The point you ignored is that everyone has a cross to bear...so why cry about it?" Our country lags the Western world regarding civil rights, and this is no exception. In action or in feeling, we all love to have someone to hate. Over time this progressed from blacks, immigrants, communists, terrorists, and gays.

:clap: I appreciate your comments and the posts below (I haven't mastered quoting more than one person in a response...feel free to educate me)... I am a Puerto Rican lesbian. I cannot tell you the amount of crap I've taken from my now ex-gfs family, my own, my Church (I was born into a Catholic family)...etc. I'm sure many have had it far worse than I have. I can't even begin to tell you how taxing and exhausting (and potentially damaging to a relationship) the impact of ignorance can be. If I hold a woman's hand...I'm "being showy about it". It's all those little ignorant beliefs that made being in love with her so difficult.

I will not be out to many in med. school and residency I imagine (only to a trusted, select few). I do not want my romantic life to influence how people view me professionally. Unfortunately that is the reality of our situation--I truly do believe it will have an effect. I am going to be climbing back into the closet...very disappointing to me.

On a more positive note, look at the dialogue this is causing...that's great...knocking down one ignorant belief at a time. 🙂 And I know we have it so much better than GLBT med. professionals even just a decade ago...but better is not good enough! 😛

Finally, June-July is a happening time for Pride celebrations. Jersey Pride is in Asbury Park this Sunday (6/5) and NYC Pride is the weekend of (6/26<--that's when the parade is). Hope this offers some summer fun and celebration to you all!
 
That is precisely it--why don't you go around for several weeks not mentioning your significant other and see how that is. Nice to know that if I mention my boyfriend, is "making it an issue."

Actually, I do. Unless someone asks how my wife is doing, I have no reason to bring it up myself.


During med school orientation, one of the first things you will learn about your classmates is who's married, engaged, attached, single, with children, etc. Are you married? Can you imagine keeping that a secret from everyone if you were?


I don't know what kind of therapy group medschool you are going to, but I don't remember ever being asked any of these questions. Years into school, some people met my wife, but that was more coincidental e.g. her picking me up at the hospital.

Nobody was talking about keeping your partner a 'secret'. The point is that unless you write a long drawn out personal statement how GLBT issues motivated you to become a physician and how you pledge your future to that cause, nobody in andministration will care. And once you are in school, there is no need to hide it. Just treat it the same way how you would treat other personal information.


I am a Puerto Rican lesbian. I cannot tell you the amount of crap I've taken from my now ex-gfs family, my own, my Church (I was born into a Catholic family)...etc.


--> don't talk to her family
--> go episcopalian (catholic light, same liturgy, half the guilt)


I will not be out to many in med. school and residency I imagine (only to a trusted, select few). I do not want my romantic life to influence how people view me professionally.


At some point you will notice that plenty of your residents/attendings are in the same boat. (they just won't form a 'faculty GLBT forum' or any other mechanism to draw attention to their private life.)
 
criminallyinane said:
F-ck you. You've crossed the line. You're a hateful, disgusting person. I pray that you abandon medicine as a career; we don't want you.
i could be wrong, but i believe that this is a personal attack, no?

who is "we?" are you talking about the gays? are you a self-appointed representative of the homosexual community? a so-called queer-ambassador?

the point of my original post was that you guys (the homosexuals/lesbians/transgenders/boyzIImen/etc.) need to stop worrying so much and making such a big deal of your sexual orientation. so what if a school banned a gay club?! you'd want them to ban a swingers club as well, no? if it's not academic it's unneccessary. there doesn't need to be special social clubs funded by the school.

and then there's the timeless "you try and not talk about your SO at school!!!"

well, i've managed to keep my 3-year relationship all to myself and only a few of my classmates know that i'm soon to be engaged. it is obnoxious when people constantly talk about their lover/so/sex life. no one really cares who you're sleeping with or how many times you made him/her orgasm... it's not a gay/straight issue, it's a matter of being outspoken and acting socially immature.

the bigger issue the gays make about this, the bigger the apparent problem is. why can't you understand that being homosexual is still not generally accepted and by bringing it up, you are backing the school against a wall? they have an image to uphold and if you start pushing them, they're gonna have to address the issue... and most likely they'll err on the side of pleasing their constituents (you know, the more conservative men and women that keep the school going).

do i agree with this? yes and no.

for one, i believe you should be able to do whatever you want with your life. if you wanna be gay, be gay. if you wanna chop your dick off, go right ahead. if it doesn't hurt/harm anyone else, go right ahead and fulfill your wildest fantasies. but this doesn't change the fact that most americans (your patients) don't really look highly upon the gay community. and just to reiterate before someone flame(r)s me, i don't think it should be this way.

on the other hand, i don't think medical school is the place to express your personal views. some of the worst emotions were brought about during debates over politics and conservatism/liberalism. just keep a professional behavior, leave your social/personal beliefs at the door and learn. you're at school to become a doctor, not preach your views.
 
Noo,, actually type Bmd and others I think the issue is what minority groups allowed and which aren't. Of course the majority has no problem with it self, they are the majority. Our federal government says that minorities of religion, race, gender are allowed to form groups, so they do. The fed. doesn't require sexual orientation minorities to be accepted, so it isn't tied to funding, so some schools like mine don't allow those groups to openly meet.

Some people on this board tried the "well the majority does it (talks about SO) so we should be able to aswell" which as you pointed out has some flaws. What I see as the real problem are other things also pointed out here. For example the fear of retaliation against you if people find out you're GLBT. I doubt that you have that fear with your heterosexual relationship. The minute that a med student becomes afraid just because they are GLBT I see there being a problem since it effects their education.

I could go on and on about this but unless you are a minority and have had to hide who you are to prevent retaliation I think it is hard to explain.

I think the WTO says it nicely "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." It is highly unhealthy to live in fear.
 
Flopotomist said:
I am currently applying for 2006, and after reading about some of the nightmarish stories from gay and lesbian students at New York Medical College, want to make sure I don't end up in some homophobic hell hole. Are there any schools that are particularly good/bad for gay students? I am not some major activist, so am not going to put anything in my personal statement about it, and don't feel like brining it up in an interview, but just wondered. Thanks in advance!

My class (2005) seemed to have alot of openly gay people. We did not beat them up or anything. I don't know if the administration appreciated their gayness though.
 
typeB-md said:
there doesn't need to be special social clubs funded by the school.

But, my school has ****loads of social clubs just not GLBT club THAT is why it is an issue

typeB-md said:
the bigger issue the gays make about this, the bigger the apparent problem is. why can't you understand that being homosexual is still not generally accepted and by bringing it up, you are backing the school against a wall? they have an image to uphold and if you start pushing them, they're gonna have to address the issue... and most likely they'll err on the side of pleasing their constituents (you know, the more conservative men and women that keep the school going).
humm our faculty, alumni and others are strongly for GLBT issues what image is this you speak of? Granted with the buyout of our school things are a little twisted, but I don't buy the image argument. Saying we aren't gonna change cause the old way is the best doesn't cut it.

typeB-md said:
just keep a professional behavior, leave your social/personal beliefs at the door and learn. you're at school to become a doctor, not preach your views.
A men brother!!! preach on, I 100% agree, see the previous post i made. If we could all show up and just learn, and then all have equal footing without having discriminatory treatment that would be awesome!!
 
sparky5 said:
But, my school has ****loads of social clubs just not GLBT club THAT is why it is an issue

so what? i mean if there is one club, that means that any other club is justified? Like, oh, since there's a GLBT club thats my justification for an axe-murderer's club! And why is there no Straight club? "cause everyone's straight! you dont need a club!!" 🙄
 
f_w said:
Actually, I do. Unless someone asks how my wife is doing, I have no reason to bring it up myself.

What's it? Your wife? :laugh: Why would you not tell people you're married? is it a big secret?



I don't know what kind of therapy group medschool you are going to, but I don't remember ever being asked any of these questions. Years into school, some people met my wife, but that was more coincidental e.g. her picking me up at the hospital.

Wow, you must have made some great friends if NO ONE knew you were married until your wife picked you up from the hospital.

Nobody was talking about keeping your partner a 'secret'. The point is that unless you write a long drawn out personal statement how GLBT issues motivated you to become a physician and how you pledge your future to that cause, nobody in andministration will care. And once you are in school, there is no need to hide it. Just treat it the same way how you would treat other personal information.

It's not really "personal" information. People who are afraid of homosexuals or who don't understand homosexuality think that same-sex relationships should be kept "private" and "personal", like some shameful little secret that needs hiding. People have relationships, people talk about relationships, it's not that uncommon. Why do we wear wedding rings to tell the world we are married, if that is such "personal" info?


I am a Puerto Rican lesbian. I cannot tell you the amount of crap I've taken from my now ex-gfs family, my own, my Church (I was born into a Catholic family)...etc.


--> don't talk to her family
--> go episcopalian (catholic light, same liturgy, half the guilt)

Compassionate, you are. Would you abandon hope of repairing relations with your wife's family if they didn't like you?


I will not be out to many in med. school and residency I imagine (only to a trusted, select few). I do not want my romantic life to influence how people view me professionally.


At some point you will notice that plenty of your residents/attendings are in the same boat. (they just won't form a 'faculty GLBT forum' or any other mechanism to draw attention to their private life.)

What do you think about clubs for minorities in medicine? Are those "drawing attention" to being black? And if so, is there something wrong with that?
 
Severus said:
so what? i mean if there is one club, that means that any other club is justified? Like, oh, since there's a GLBT club thats my justification for an axe-murderer's club! And why is there no Straight club? "cause everyone's straight! you dont need a club!!" 🙄

First, please tell me you're not comparing GLBT with axe-murderers 🙄

Secondly, why do you think there are "minorities in medicine" clubs? To address issues that are specific to becoming a physician as a minority, that's why. Any special-interest club has its own aims of addressing issues specific to that subset of physicians. Why are there peds interest clubs, EM interest clubs, minorities in medicine clubs, catholic med student clubs, etc? Are you as disrespectful of those clubs as a potential GLBT club? Have you ever known someone who was killed for being straight? Then why do you need a "straight club?"
 
criminallyinane said:
First, please tell me you're not comparing GLBT with axe-murderers 🙄

man if that isnt the oldest argument ever. "You cant compare gays to anything except for straights because otherwise thats CRAYZAY! oh wiat, that means by definition that being gay is the same as being straight. which means there is no reason to disapprove of it! i win iwin i win!!"
 
typeB-md said:
i could be wrong, but i believe that this is a personal attack, no?

You called another poster a sissy because he is a homosexual. I'd say that's a far more personal attack; however, I apologize and will edit my post.


who is "we?" are you talking about the gays? are you a self-appointed representative of the homosexual community? a so-called queer-ambassador?
Nope, I am straight, but I don't want you to be a physician if you call gays "sissies" and say it's better for NYMC to not have "an effeminate" person there. How will you relate to your homosexual patients if you have so much apparent hatred for them?

the point of my original post was that you guys (the homosexuals/lesbians/transgenders/boyzIImen/etc.) need to stop worrying so much and making such a big deal of your sexual orientation. so what if a school banned a gay club?! you'd want them to ban a swingers club as well, no? if it's not academic it's unneccessary. there doesn't need to be special social clubs funded by the school.

Allowing other clubs, and allowing an "undercover" gay club but then disbanding it when it goes "public", implies a general discrimination against GLBT folks, which is disappointing to people who believe that the GLBT community has a reason/need for having a safe space where they can address issues of sexuality and medicine. Those (like you) who wish to sweep it under the rug are merely closing off another important avenue of discussion regarding patient care and tolerance for other lifestyles.

and then there's the timeless "you try and not talk about your SO at school!!!"

well, i've managed to keep my 3-year relationship all to myself and only a few of my classmates know that i'm soon to be engaged. it is obnoxious when people constantly talk about their lover/so/sex life. no one really cares who you're sleeping with or how many times you made him/her orgasm... it's not a gay/straight issue, it's a matter of being outspoken and acting socially immature.

🙄 Always hyperbolic, you are. Gay people are not wanting to talk about their sex lives, but want to be free/comfortable mentioning their partners in conversation without fear of ostracism.

the bigger issue the gays make about this, the bigger the apparent problem is. why can't you understand that being homosexual is still not generally accepted and by bringing it up, you are backing the school against a wall?

Why can't you understand that by talking about it, this is the only way to change the "generally not accepted" attitudes about homosexuality?

"In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me–and by that time there was nobody left to speak up."
—Martin Niemöller (1945)
 
Severus said:
man if that isnt the oldest argument ever. "You cant compare gays to anything except for straights because otherwise thats CRAYZAY! oh wiat, that means by definition that being gay is the same as being straight. which means there is no reason to disapprove of it! i win iwin i win!!"

That's not my argument. I just think you should compare a GLBT club to a club for other minorities. Perhaps you could have said, "Do we need a Jewish students club? Or a Muslim students club? Or a Black student club?"

That would be a more appropriate comparison. That's all I'm saying.
 
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