<p>Europegrad’s post just reminded me of a bizarre conversation I had with a (not any more) close friend. I had invited her to room with me since she wasn’t going to get on-campus housing otherwise and my roommate status was iffy. She then went on to tell me the problem was that I’m gay. She said she’s totally, 100% pro-gay rights, an ally, has only gay friends, yadda yadda yadda, but she’d think it was disgusting to have a “pervert leering at me” every time she went to went, and she feared “having one of them try to rape me at night.” Needless to say, I’m glad she won’t be living on campus because I wouldn’t want to share a hall with one of THEM, meaning heartless hypocrites.</p>
<p>(Oh, Europegrad – that doesn’t mean I’m attacking you. Sorry. You just sort of reminded me. Thanks for being civil.)</p>
<p>I’ll never understand that line of thought, but then again, I grew up in a pretty liberal “gay” environment all my life. I disagree with GLBT people having to room with GLBT people since there are TONS of people who are fine rooming with a gay person. My current roommate is totally okay; we’ve both made it clear that neither of us have intentions to date freshman year, neither of us will sexile the other, and if either of us get the urge to kissy-kissy with either gender, just head out, find a nice tree, and go to town. :)</p>
<p>Quick advice to Europegrad: a number of dorms have anti-discrimination policies, meaning you can’t change roommates based on their sexuality. My best advice would be to make it clear as soon as you meet him (hopefully, in your case, before he comes out if he’s gay) that NEITHER of you will be bringing dates back, NEITHER of you will express your sexualities openly, and NEITHER of you will discuss it again. Yes, this means no nekkid lady posters on your side of the room, no girlfriends, no talking about hot chicks; if he couldn’t comfortably live in the dorm expressing who he loves, neither should you. If he is gay, maybe you’ll get lucky and he’ll move because he doesn’t like the rules. Best way to avoid problems.</p>