Out & About

Regarding “Out and About,” I must say that the follies of today, motivated by interest groups and political correctness, and embraced uncritically by academia, will one day take their toll. How sad to see the University so misguided and so eager to put itself in the position of misguiding those who are making their own way in the world for the first time. The false “celebration” of homosexuality, bisexuality, and trans-sexuality is a great injustice to this community of young people. Human kindness and forgiveness are always required of us, as we follow the command to “do unto others as we would be done by.” But promotion of these lifestyles is quite another thing, and it is most regrettable.

Andrea Campbell ’94 (ED)

As a UConn alumna and a trans woman, I read the “Out and About” article with great interest. I graduated with a degree in electrical engineering when I still presented myself as a male, and my feeling at that time was that transition to female presentation at UConn was just not possible. I am glad to see that things seem to have changed since then. However, it was a bit disconcerting to see an article about LGBT issues that seemed to imply that this was only about sexual orientation and completely ignored gender identity or expression. I am well aware that the number of people in the LGB part far exceed those of the T part and certainly don’t expect anything close to equal coverage. On the other hand, this article tends to reinforce the misconception that one’s core sense of gender has something to do with sexuality (it doesn’t, one is who you are and the other is who you love – a trans woman can be straight, lesbian, or bisexual). This all leaves me to wonder what conditions are like for current UConn students in the process of adapting their outer gender presentation to their own knowledge of their core gender.

Jennifer A. Smith ’93 MS
Associate Professor of Computer Engineering
Boise State University

 
I just had to write and congratulate you on the Fall/ Winter issue. I couldn’t help but think about how times have changed. … It says something about how we’ve evolved that it even made the cover. Though I’m sure that you’ve had some negative responses, know that you have done the right thing. I do not belong to any of the groups that will benefit from the LGBT movement, but am part of a society that will. Equality for everyone means equality for all.

Gerri Lipman King ’64 (CLAS) I found your story well below the standards of excellence of a legitimate journal. I believe that anyone may choose any alternative lifestyle without fear, but why exploit it? Where’s the fair and balanced reporting? When may I expect to see a cover feature story extolling the virtues of heterosexual lifestyle at the UConn campus?

J. A. Delbuono ’59 (BUS)

 
The support of the Rainbow Center and “advocacy” for gay/bisexual/lesbian/transgender community is direct defiance of God’s word. See Romans 1:24-27. There is no middle ground and/or tolerance for these people who choose this lifestyle; we can pray for them. See also 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 and 1 Corinthians 10:6-13. I am ashamed of this as an alumnus. I understand equal rights, freedom of the press, freedom of the speech, etc. However, it seems as [if] this is a recruiting message.

Martin W. Sivula ’90 Ph.D.

 
I was very much offended by the cover and content of the Fall/Winter Alumni Magazine. While I strongly support the protection of the rights and safety of gay and lesbian students, I strongly object to a university or any public institution promoting a homosexual agenda. Last year, the average cost of college increased by 8.3 percent. Much of this was due to foolish programs such as this. I have difficulty justifying the staff positions created for political agendas, particularly when college is being priced out of the means of many students.

David Goettel ’76 MS

Bike Sharing

The article entitled “Bike Sharing Returns” brought back some memories, and the title may even have referred to a time in the ’60s when a bike sharing program was initiated by then President Homer Babbidge. The concept was really ahead of its time. The bicycles used were blue, and they were referred to as the “Babbidge Blue Bike Brigade.” The use of bicycles was based on the honor system but, unfortunately, did not last long. Hopefully the new system will be more successful.

Paul F. Goetinck