Queer Medical Students?

[DrinkYourMilk]

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So, are there any gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered med students out there?

Maybe it's just that I go to school in the south, but I'm feeling surrounded by heterosexuals. In fact, I don't know of a single out person in my class - statistically there should be 14 of us - where are they hiding?

 

[blurry]

where are they hiding?

In the closet.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

So, are there any gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered med students out there?

No. You are the only one in the entire nation. It's going to be a rough four years for you. 🙄

 

[njbmd]

So, are there any gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered med students out there?

Maybe it's just that I go to school in the south, but I'm feeling surrounded by heterosexuals. In fact, I don't know of a single out person in my class - statistically there should be 14 of us - where are they hiding?

For many reasons many people don't want to share their sexual orientation with others in an academic setting. You are located about 100 miles from Washington, DC where you can find plenty of fellowship with medical students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or heterosexual and quite reachable on a weekend drive. My guess is that you are surrounded by people who are more diverse than you would believe than by just looking at them. Make some friends and enjoy them for what they bring into your life.

I found a wide diversity of folks ethnically, and differing sexual orientations during my tenure in Charlottesville. Statistics do not apply to individuals by the way. My guess is that you don't know everyone of the members of your class's IQs but statistically most of them should be around 100.

 

[NonTradMed]

Our school has one 'out' student. Statistically, that is a lower number than my more liberal college. I think location definitely matters as some students feel very uncomfortable about revealing their orientation, or have not come to grips with it yet if they live in a particularly conservative area.

 

[bth7]

So, are there any gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered med students out there?

Maybe it's just that I go to school in the south, but I'm feeling surrounded by heterosexuals. In fact, I don't know of a single out person in my class - statistically there should be 14 of us - where are they hiding?

Get connected to others!

http://www.amsa.org/lgbt/

Join the email listserv, and come to the convention in March in Houston!

🙂
bth

 

[Flopotomist]

In my school of ~600 students total, there are only 4 out students. Two are m1s and two m2s. 3 are guys, one is a gal - poor thing. We have a GLBT group here, and to be inclusive we added an S (straight) to the acronym. The straights far outnumber the gays in the group, and the running joke is that they are going to take it over, and then kick us out.

 

[AuburnPreVet]

You aren't alone - it's probably the region of the country. Out of the 360 or so at our school, I don't know of any "out" gay people. They're probably keeping quiet for obvious reasons.... and some probably had options at schools in more accepting locations and took those offers. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

 

[colbgw02]

but I'm feeling surrounded by heterosexuals.

Am I the only one that thought this was an odd statement? You might as well get elected to Congress and then say you feel surrounded by old white men.

 

[Rotinaj]

Probably because they don't advertise their sexuality to everyone. If I'm single, I don't wear a pin of my left hand on my lapel advertising that I'm single, you have to get to know me before you find out that no one wants anything to do with me.🙄

 

[da8s0859q]

In the closet.

You should get far more credit than you've been getting for this comment.

 

[da8s0859q]

Am I the only one that thought this was an odd statement? You might as well get elected to Congress and then say you feel surrounded by old white men.

No, no, you're not the only one.

 

[aaj117]

I am definitely taking it into account when choosing a medical school, and have made sure to ask students about LGBT groups on campus and the environment of the campus and surrounding city on my interview day. I'm actually really scared of feeling like the only one, and not really up for that type of challenge.

 

[Boogsie]

You can get a membership to club 216 (the gay members only club) in Charlottesville. I went there on Halloween (they have open party nights as well), and I saw lots of cute gay guys (if you are a guy) and a few girls (if you are a girl).

Another way to meet people is to volunteer or get involved with the undergraduate clubs. If you go here: http://www.virginia.edu/deanofstudents/lgbt/getinvolved.html you'll find some info about the lgbt, and they could probably put you in touch with some older people (grad students and young professionals).

I volunteer at an HIV clinic in Charlottesville, and I interact with tons of gay men from Cville. You could volunteer two or three hours a week and make some friends and find out where everyone is hiding. In Charlottesville, most of the younger people tend to be in the closet (Its still the south!!)

Travel: Richmond or DC are you best bets.

Good luck and Have fun!

 

[RugbyJC]

My school formed an LGTBstr8 student group. We actually have a confidential listserve and mostly just publicize events in the area that are relevant. There are only a few students at my school who are out, probably because they fear the impact it might have on their professional advancement. I suspect there are more out there who just don't advertize.

 

[CCLCMer]

My school formed an LGTBstr8 student group. We actually have a confidential listserve and mostly just publicize events in the area that are relevant. There are only a few students at my school who are out, probably because they fear the impact it might have on their professional advancement. I suspect there are more out there who just don't advertize.

We have a group for GLBT and straight allies at CCLCM too. DrinkYourMilk, if your school doesn't have a GLBT group, why don't you start one? If nothing else, you can help educate your straight classmates about health issues affecting the gay community.

 

[AlexMorph]

This is kinda off-topic but I thought it was politically incorrect to call homosexuals "queer". Forgive me if I'm being ignorant, but that's what I thought anyways.

 

[dizzle69]

So, are there any gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered med students out there?

Maybe it's just that I go to school in the south, but I'm feeling surrounded by heterosexuals. In fact, I don't know of a single out person in my class - statistically there should be 14 of us - where are they hiding?

I love the title of this thread ... "any queers ... out there?" Any you wonder WHY these students don't come out the closet. 😉

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

This is kinda off-topic but I thought it was politically incorrect to call homosexuals "queer". Forgive me if I'm being ignorant, but that's what I thought anyways.

It's one of those "take back the word, claim it's power over us." type things.

 

[notdeadyet]

It's one of those "take back the word, claim it's power over us." type things.

In the same sense, it's not really on to toss the word around if straight, unless you're with folks who know you well.

 

[Timmythemic22]

"DrinkYourMilk"...ha, I get it.

 

[AuburnPreVet]

This is kinda off-topic but I thought it was politically incorrect to call homosexuals "queer". Forgive me if I'm being ignorant, but that's what I thought anyways.

A lot of older gays still take offense to the use of the word "queer."

 

[lilzelda2]

So, are there any gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered med students out there?

Maybe it's just that I go to school in the south, but I'm feeling surrounded by heterosexuals. In fact, I don't know of a single out person in my class - statistically there should be 14 of us - where are they hiding?

I feel your pain I was thinking the same exact thing over break. Surrounded by a whole bunch of straight people. But were close to NYC so it makes up for it I guess.

 

[Tiger26]

So, are there any gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered med students out there?

Maybe it's just that I go to school in the south, but I'm feeling surrounded by heterosexuals. In fact, I don't know of a single out person in my class - statistically there should be 14 of us - where are they hiding?

You know pretty soon they're going to have their own schools

 

[SnowTown]

So, are there any gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered med students out there?

Maybe it's just that I go to school in the south, but I'm feeling surrounded by heterosexuals. In fact, I don't know of a single out person in my class - statistically there should be 14 of us - where are they hiding?

what is the generally accepted percentage anyways? i've seen anywhere from 1 to ~15%...

more like 2~3%?

 

[2BAnIDrNoMore]

In the closet.

You should get far more credit than you've been getting for this comment.

I second that...hilarious! 😆

 

[AuburnPreVet]

what is the generally accepted percentage anyways? i've seen anywhere from 1 to ~15%...

more like 2~3%?

The figure I see quoted most frequently is something like 8-10% (seems high to me) however I really don't see how accurate statistics can be calculated since so many are closeted/in denial/etc at any given time. With people in many states/countries facing discrimination, loss of their jobs, etc etc I highly doubt they'd be honest in reporting their sexuality.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

This is kinda off-topic but I thought it was politically incorrect to call homosexuals "queer". Forgive me if I'm being ignorant, but that's what I thought anyways.

Its that age old double standard. Homosexuals can call each other queers, but if us heterosexuals say that, then its against the rules.

Just like african amercians calling each other a certain term, but NO white boy can say that or its wrong.


I dont get it, and I guess I am just not supposed to....

 

[Tiger26]

Its that age old double standard. Homosexuals can call each other queers, but if us heterosexuals say that, then its against the rules.

Just like african amercians calling each other a certain term, but NO white boy can say that or its wrong.


I dont get it, and I guess I am just not supposed to....

Right on "Cracker" (can white people say this to each other?)

 

[sprinkibrio]

Am I the only one who thinks a straight person can use queer?

 

[howelljolly]

I feel your pain I was thinking the same exact thing over break. Surrounded by a whole bunch of straight people. But were close to NYC so it makes up for it I guess.

I feel your pain too. Where I go to school Im surrounded by a whole bunch of people that are right handed, I cant stand it! But when we Southpaws get to anesthesiology and don't lose our grip on the laryngoscope like those righties, that makes up for it.
I guess

No?

 

[notdeadyet]

Am I the only one who thinks a straight person can use queer?

Probably not. But would you be comfortable calling black people n-----? If you ain't walked in the mocassins, it's probably not a good idea.

I lived with a mixed orientation crowd in SF for 15 years and I don't recall any straight friends using the term conversationally, unless it was part of the name of a club, movie, or march slogan. A slur becomes a form of power only if you're the target of the slur. It takes a long time for it to get watered down to the point that the general public can use it without risk of offense and we're a long way from there yet.

 

[chicklett1]

Am I the only one who thinks a straight person can use queer?

I think it is acceptable for anyone to use "queer", as long as it is not used in a derogatory manner. The contemporary usage of the word (which emerged in the 1990s and is based on a school of gender studies called queer theory), is as an all-inclusive term claimed by anyone who is questioning or who has a nonheterosexual sexual or gender identity or even non-mainstream sexual practices. In essence, it's the antonym to heteronormative, and includes many more individuals than a term such as "gay" or even LGBT. There are several examples in the mainstream media of the choice of "queer" to reinforce a positive self-identification, such as the shows "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and "Queer as Folk".

Yes, it is a reclaiming of a previously derisive word, but the evolution of the word has changed its usage and meaning. I'm not sure you can say the same with the "n-word" as it relates to African Americans. Notdeadyet, your point about the power of a slur is well-taken, though. Maybe some of it has to do with what part of the country you are in and who you're around. I guess a straight person using the word queer has to be careful to make sure that it is understood in the appropriate context.

To the OP, I go to school in a very liberal part of the country (although I grew up in VA), and last year, I knew of only one out individual in the entire school. Now there are about 15, and they are not all new first-years. I'm not sure what happened during that time that enabled more students to come out, but at least it goes to show that they were always there. I'm sure something similar is going on at your school, although I can only imagine how much harder it would be to be out in your neck of the woods than in other parts of the country. Do you know if there are any out faculty?

Good luck.

 

[notdeadyet]

In essence, it's the antonym to heteronormative, and includes many more individuals than a term such as "gay" or even LGBT.

Huh. That's news to me. Any examples? If you tell a straight cross-dresser (work with me here) that he's "queer", I'd bet you'll get a correction at best.

There are several examples in the mainstream media of the choice of "queer" to reinforce a positive self-identification, such as the shows "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and "Queer as Folk".

Both of these are shows produced in conjunction with gay producers and a gay cast. If you had a show produced by straight producers and a straight cast, I doubt very much you'd hear the term Queer thrown around.

Notdeadyet, your point about the power of a slur is well-taken, though. Maybe some of it has to do with what part of the country you are in and who you're around. I guess a straight person using the word queer has to be careful to make sure that it is understood in the appropriate context.

Maybe. I'm from San Francisco, which has a pretty strong gay community. And a straight person tossing around the term queer would for the most part not be appreciated. This is true of any derogatory term that has been reclaimed by a particular group.

You basically have two options. You can either not use the terms (queer, n-----, etc.) until they're pretty explicitly approved by the groups they've been used against as hate speech. Maybe this will happen in a generation or two. But we ain't close yet.

Or you can use the terms. You will quite possibly offend people, hurt their feelings, or (most likely) look like you're a poseur trying to fit in with a culture to which you don't belong. Again, amongst your close friends, you might be able to let it fly (though the may cringe on the inside and just not say anything to avoid hurting your feelings), but amongst strangers, the terms are still too loaded.

 

[Baritonebass]

Edit

My preceptor for ICM at the school of medicine in Sweet home alabama is openly GAY. He said orentation should not matter because it's a personal choice and their are gay guys at my school and their cool but I do notice that some of the gay and people of non-christian religions display frustration with the conservation of my public medical school

 

[medicomel]

My preceptor for ICM at the school of medicine in Sweet home alabama is openly GAY. He said orentation should not matter because it's a personal choice and their are gay guys at my school and their cool but I do notice that some of the gay and people of non-christian religions display frustration with the conservation of my public medical school

i think "queer" is better than "homosexual" any day.

 

[acbyrd]

Wow, I got my first warning from SDN. I'm so cool.

 

[chicklett1]

.

 

[chicklett1]

Huh. That's news to me. Any examples? If you tell a straight cross-dresser (work with me here) that he's "queer", I'd bet you'll get a correction at best.

Sure. Here you go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer (since wikipedia is getting me through med school, I might as well use it here too!) I think many people who cross-dress chose to identify with the queer community.

Both of these are shows produced in conjunction with gay producers and a gay cast. If you had a show produced by straight producers and a straight cast, I doubt very much you'd hear the term Queer thrown around.

I mean, I guess, but I would suggest that Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is intended for a broad audience and I would guess that many if not most of the production staff of the show are not gay (I'm just supposing, though--don't know for sure).

You basically have two options. You can either not use the terms (queer, n-----, etc.) until they're pretty explicitly approved by the groups they've been used against as hate speech. Maybe this will happen in a generation or two. But we ain't close yet.

Again, I see your point and I would never argue in favor of using a slur, but I do think that part of reclaiming a word has to do with a mainstream shift in the meaning of its usage, and that is something that we can all work on (i.e. use "gay" to mean people who are homosexual and not a synonym for stupid).

 

[notdeadyet]

Again, I see your point and I would never argue in favor of using a slur, but I do think that part of reclaiming a word has to do with a mainstream shift in the meaning of its usage

Yeah, I definitely hear where you're coming from. I think I'll hold off using it until it has near universal acceptance among the community it applies to. As long as some in the community find the term offensive (and many, many do, particularly the older generation), I'll hold off.

You brought up some interesting points, though.

 

[bth7]

Yeah, I definitely hear where you're coming from. I think I'll hold off using it until it has near universal acceptance among the community it applies to. As long as some in the community find the term offensive (and many, many do, particularly the older generation), I'll hold off.

You brought up some interesting points, though.

Hello all,

I've been following your conversation at a distance. I thought I'd add my point of view. To me, "Queer" is a very inclusive term, generally referring to any LGBT person, yet there's no reason a hetero can't be queer too. I think it of it more as a descriptor of one's mentality toward heteronormativity. Whereas "gay" or "bisexual" describes sexual orientation - to be queer is to have had a prolonged experience of being profoundly different. Queer is the process of reconciling (or not!) this difference through your life.

bth

 

[aaj117]

Hello all,

I've been following your conversation at a distance. I thought I'd add my point of view. To me, "Queer" is a very inclusive term, generally referring to any LGBT person, yet there's no reason a hetero can't be queer too. I think it of it more as a descriptor of one's mentality toward heteronormativity. Whereas "gay" or "bisexual" describes sexual orientation - to be queer is to have had a prolonged experience of being profoundly different. Queer is the process of reconciling (or not!) this difference through your life.

bth

This is one of the best explanations i've seen in a very long time. Equality forum here in philadelphia is actually having a panel discussion on the term queer as a prefered one for the community because it is all inclusive and doesn't require someone to pick a specific label to define themselves for others. The panel will be in late spring/early summer, not exactly sure of date yet.