OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS — DECEMBER 1998 — 27 D Y K E Carol L. Thoyer, M.D. Fcimily Physician 3 B - I b- “- _.’—,/ PSYCHE BY ESTHER ROTHBLUM of five young women in 21 Vermont high school about what it means to be lesbian, bi, or questioning. These women students—and a teacher—have been meeting weekly in their school after hours. Hard as it may be for us older lesbians to believe, but such groups are a part of all high schools in the Burlington, Vermont area. The women were proud that their classmates hadjust voted in (500 in favor, 100 against) a club to be called the “Gay and Straight Alliance.” As one woman said “what was so good about the‘ process was that it was so out there, and an explanation went along with it, so people knew it wasn’tjust a gay thing.” In fact, one of the club’s organiz- ers received a school medal for her efforts. But school life is not without harassment. One student said: “Yesterday, a kid came up to me Irecently talked with a group HE A AT W and said ‘I- would really appreci- ate it if you didn’t make out with other girls in the hallways.’ I’ve never done anything like that in school.” Another woman, who is bisexual, has been called a “dyke” by another student. Also, students in their high school will refer to something they don’t like as “gay,” as in “that dress is so gay.” The women I interviewed were aware” of internalized homophobia as well. One woman said: “In eighth’ grade there was this kid that everyone said he was gay. He had a very hard time with harassment. Then when I came out my freshman year, he started making fun of me! I said to him: ‘Don’t you remember how bad it felt when everyone made fun of you?’ He said: ‘But I wasn’t and you are.’ In some ways, I was his revenge. Another woman was con- cerned about how her heterosex- ual friend would be viewed. She said: “I think my being fairly out in school affected her. We used to sit together in class and spend T OU 5-588 ~ uuestionin9——aml voung: ll 00lllIEl'S¢‘Ill-DI! Will! I” 108115 a lot of time together. We’ve been friends since kindergarten. I think the fact that we were so close actually negatively affect- ed her, with people assuming that she was gay as well. I found myself pulling away from her so » that she wouldn’t be stereotyped. I wanted her to be able to find a boyfriend and by happy; I didn’t want her harassed.” In some ways, being gay is viewed as trendy in their school, but only when it refers to female students, mostly those who are bisexual. But the women I inter- viewed felt that trends are viewed as a phase, and their classmates wonder when this particular trend will finally be over. “My friends thought I was a ‘poser’ because I told them that I was bi,” said one woman. Esther Rothblum is Professor of Psychology at the University of Vermont and Editor of the Journal of Lesbian Studies. She can be reached at John Dewey Hall, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, email: esther.rothblum@uvm.edu. KAISER PERMANENTII Community ° Health Plan NOR'T’l’l'fF.AS'l" Dl'VISlON Georgia Health Center RR#2, Box 7760 Fairfax, VT 05454 Tel: 802/524-9595 Fax: 802/524-2867 A ' Michael Gigante, Ph.D. Psychosynthesis Counseling 6* Therapy (802) 254-8032 15 Myrtle Street, Brattleboro VT 05301 Susan McKenzie MS. Licensed Psychologist—Master Experienced therapist specializing in the individual and relationship issues of Lesbian Women and Gay Men Quechee 8 0 2 2 9 5 - 5 5 3 3 Insurance Accepted-Sliding Fee Scale Hepatitis Clinic Vaccinate Yourself! December 12, noon @ VT CARES office in Burlington, 361 Pearl St. call Yolanda for appointment. Hep A/Hep B or both vaccines offered Rutland: Dav St. Jay: Yves 48-9061 Burlington:Yolanda 863- 243 7 or calltoll free @ A 800-649-2437 .. at a reasonable price. Take care, be healthy!