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Ask Louanne
The Collegian's Advice Column
by Dr. Louanne Barton
Personal Counselor
Sexually confused
student consults
Louanne
Dear Louanne,
I suspect I may be bisexual. I do well above average
in school. I find myself being attracted to someone
on my floor. Lately these emotions have been
affecting my concentration. Do I need to confront
him or is there any hope these feelings can be
eliminated?
Dear Confused,
Thank you for writing. I asked another
student on campus if he would help me in
responding to your letter. I have included
his response below because I think it is
very helpful. I would like to add: I strongly
doubt that your feelings can be eliminated.
It is believed that people generally do not
have much choice regarding their sexual
orientation. The choice comes in whether or
not you choose to act on these feelings,
and, if so, when, where and with whom
you choose "to come out". If you are
interested in learning more about students
with feelings similar to yours, come to the
next open forum entitled "Straight Talk" to
be presented by students from the Lesbian
Bisexual Gay Student Alliance from
University Park. They will be talking about
what it's like growing up gay in our society
and on college campuses. The event takes
place Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. in the
Reed Lecture Hall.
Dear Sexually Confused,
When I was in fifth grade, I realized that I was
different. My very first crush was on a girl named
Theresa who sat beside me. Later that year, I had a
new desire. His name was Dave, and he sat on the
other side of me. Nothing ever evolved from either
one of those crushes, however. After all, I was only
about ten years old.
All through high school, I continued to be attracted to
members of both sexes. I still am, and probably
always will be. What society does not understand is
that I cannot change what I desire. I never made a
conscious decision to want sex from both males and
females.
When considering the dilemma that you are in
concerning the guy on your floor, I must leave that
decision entirely in your hands. I am, however,
advising you not to tell him, unless you strongly
believe he will respond positively. If he is gay,
bisexual, or at the very least extremely open-minded,
confronting him should not be a problem; But, don't
forget the fact that he may be strongly against even
the idea, and that could spell disaster.
Also, I urge you to call the Personal Counseling and
Advising Center at 6164. You should ask for Dr.
Louanne Barton. You can leave Only your first name
and number. All calls are kept absolutely
confidential.
Sexually Confused
Louanne
The Collegian
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*******************************
Date: November 13-14
Time: 10 a.m. - 4
Thursday, November 7, 1991
ARTCIYED •