Bertoli

Julia Costello
Beth Flach
University 101
10/01/05

Diversity Interview

I met Blair Hartman on my first week at Indiana State University. He was eating lunch alone in the commons, so I decided to sit with him. We really hit it off, and decided to meet every Thursday for supper, because we enjoyed talking to each other. After meeting three times, I realized I had not added Blair to my Facebook and went to do it. As I read his personal information I noticed he was homosexual. I would have never guessed. Coming from a small town, I only had two gay people in my school, and they were very open and obvious about their sexual preference. Until last Thursday I kept my mouth shut to Blair about his homosexuality. I asked him if I could interview him for my Diversity Essay.
When I inquired Blair about his childhood, he rolled his eyes at me. His early years were the hardest for him. I asked him if he had felt ashamed as a homosexual and he had. He was afraid and confused of his feelings toward boys. He knew something was different about it, but did not want to accept what he knew inside. Blair slowly started to distance himself from his family and his close friends. He did not think they would understand how he was feeling and was afraid of them being judgmental. When I asked about discrimination, he said he has not had many instances of discrimination because he does not wear his homosexuality on his sleeve. He is proud, but not loud.
When questioned about the affects of his sexual preference on his daily life, Blair said there is none. He goes about his day as any other person. Although, he admits he might spend more time in the bathroom than the average male. I then asked Blair if he had ever pretended he was not homosexual. He replied he has no reason to; he is who he is and is happy that way. Blair reminded me he has not always felt happy about it though, so I inquired if he feels his homosexuality shaped him into the person he is today. He said absolutely. He feels he can relate and help out people with any sort of problem because of his own. He wants people overcome discrimination. The Blair like most about being homosexual is he is able to be open with people.
I asked Blair when he was the proudest to be a homosexual and he said it was the day he came out to his parents. He wanted his family to be back into his life and he did not want to feel he was lying to them anymore. His parents are proud of him and that means a great deal to him. When I asked, Blair said he is not interested in changing or being a part of the majority. He feels he would not be as unique as he is if he was a part of the majority of people. He does feel that his sexual orientation can and will affect his opportunities. I asked him why he felt that way. Blair said people are not accepting enough. Everyone is too concerned with everything around them and not enough with their own lives.
I feel I learned a great deal about Blair and homosexuals. My parents raised me to be accepting of other cultures, physical differences, and other people’s preferences. Although I am accepting, I am not well informed. I feel I benefited a great deal interviewing Blair. I learned more about a good friend and got a better insight of homosexuals. I do not have near the amount of obstacles he does, and he has a better outlook on life than I. The thing that most surprised me was his honesty and openness. He was not once offended by my questions and took time to answer every one completely. He put everything out on the table and I respect him greatly for it.