Suicide
continued from page 1
Richmond’s decision to end his life.
Self said Eugene is usually a good
place to live for the LGBT commu
nity, but there are times, such as
when Martorano’s commentary was
published, when some people feel
like outsiders.
“Articles like that tend to create
an environment where gay and les
bian people don’t feel safe and wel
come,” she said. “I understand why
it was put in, but with free speech
comes responsibility. To target a
group that’s already targeted in
many ways ... is not responsible.”
Although being a homosexual
doesn’t automatically mean harass
ment at the University, some stu
dents said it seems that way.
Kristina Armenakis, co-director of
the LGBTQA, said
while she has nev
er felt threatened
herself, some of
her friends have.
“I’ve known
people who have
had things thrown
at them and have
had homophobic
slurs yelled at
them, she said. -
There are several resources on
campus and in Eugene for any stu
dents who do not feel safe or are
questioning their sexual
orientation.
University Counseling and Test
ing Center Director Robin Holmes
said in her experience as a coun
selor, many LGBT students say
they are not discriminated
against, but in an anonymous sur
vey released in 2002, many said
the opposite.
“It’s always our role ... to bring up
issues that are being missed,”
Holmes said, adding that it is normal
for students to go through a stage
where they question their sexuality.
The Counseling and Testing Cen
ter offers support and therapy serv
ices for students who are unsure of
their sexual orientation. In addition,
two center staff members meet with
the LGBTQA staff regularly.
The LGBTQA offers social sup
port services and peer-to-peer assis
tance to students, but more severe
situations get forwarded to the Of
fice of Student Life.
Students are encouraged to drop
in to the Counseling and Testing
Center office between 8 a.m. and 5
p.m. An appointment is not needed.
Students may request an LGBTQA
counselor or a counselor of color.
PFLAG also offers its own help
line, where anyone can call and leave
a message and receive a prompt re
sponse. PFLAG’s phone number is
302-4422. The organization receives
an average of 10 calls a month.
Self said the calls are usually from
people asking for counseling, asking
about LGBT events in the commu
"I've known people
who have had things
thrown at them and
have had homophobic
slurs yelled at them "
Kristina Armenakis
LGBTQA co-director
nity or inquiring
about LGBT
friendly business
es and doctors;
some come from
family members
calling to say a rel
ative has just
come out.
“We tell them
that that’s OK; we
-- listen to their reel
ings,” Self said.
“Some people are very upset, some
people aren’t. It’s not the end of the
world — in fact, it can be the begin
ning of a wonderful life.”
Self added that PFLAG cannot de
cide someone’s sexual orientation
for them.
“A person has to explore them
selves,” she said, adding that people
who think they might be gay should
find out who they are attracted to
emotionally, spiritually and physi
cally. “No one else can tell; it’s a very
personal journey. Just talk to some
one — there’s people and family out
there who love them just the way
they are.”
Caron Alarab contributed to this report
Contact the reporter
atromangokhman@dailyemerald.com.
Nominations
continued from page 1
• Pick a professor to nominate, and
include one or two sentences address
ing the reason for the nomination
• Nominate a GTF, again with a
short blurb explaining why
Do it soon! Nominations must be
received by Sunday at 4 p.m. At that
time, the Emerald will count the
nominations and narrow it down to
the top five contenders for both pro
fessor and GTF. Monday, the Emer
ald will announce the five finalists
and give students a chance to vote
for their favorite.
Contact the news editor
atbrookreinhard@dailyemerald.com.
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