2008 Woodie Awards
Whitworth students ignorant to the reality of homosexual culture
Rachel Carr, Staff Writer
Issue date: 12/5/06
Last Updated: 12/29/07
Whitworth is the perfect place for a homosexual to hide. Whether man or woman, this college is a safe haven for those who can pretend to be a typical student - straight and Christian. Whitworth is the one place where no one would ever think that you were gay. That would just be RIDICULOUS. A man can be mysteriously effeminate, overwhelmingly so, and will not be questioned.
"I enjoy how blinded by Jesus Whitworth is that they cannot tell a gay person even if they came up and complimented their new highlights," senior Mike Nelson said.
Most students are not known for their welcoming arms when it comes to gay persons attending Whitworth - but why?
"It's hard because people think that we are living a life of sin, which we are not, btw," Nelson said. "The way we chose to live life is our own choice, not yours to judge. We don't go around campus telling people that they shouldn't wear their pajamas to class, or think that they can pull off Uggs, because we don't judge."
Nelson explained that many Whitworth students just don't have the life experience to understand or deal with homosexual people.
I remember being absolutely shocked when I visited Seattle Pacific as a pre-frosh only to find that my host had never met a gay person before coming to college.
"I think that the problem is that the majority of Whitworth's students come from uncultured backgrounds, such as the Midwest, or Ellensburg, Wash," Nelson said. "This fact is exemplified when a student opens a conversation with, 'Well my dad says' ... There is a lot more to life than farming and Jesus."
A big part of the difficulties that homosexuals have at Whitworth is the struggle with the Christian faith and other Christians surrounding them. Whitworth is a religious institution, but such people who are different should not have to fear how they will be treated by others. Many students who attend the college are different to such a degree - non-Christians, minorities and more.
"I enjoy how blinded by Jesus Whitworth is that they cannot tell a gay person even if they came up and complimented their new highlights," senior Mike Nelson said.
Most students are not known for their welcoming arms when it comes to gay persons attending Whitworth - but why?
"It's hard because people think that we are living a life of sin, which we are not, btw," Nelson said. "The way we chose to live life is our own choice, not yours to judge. We don't go around campus telling people that they shouldn't wear their pajamas to class, or think that they can pull off Uggs, because we don't judge."
Nelson explained that many Whitworth students just don't have the life experience to understand or deal with homosexual people.
I remember being absolutely shocked when I visited Seattle Pacific as a pre-frosh only to find that my host had never met a gay person before coming to college.
"I think that the problem is that the majority of Whitworth's students come from uncultured backgrounds, such as the Midwest, or Ellensburg, Wash," Nelson said. "This fact is exemplified when a student opens a conversation with, 'Well my dad says' ... There is a lot more to life than farming and Jesus."
A big part of the difficulties that homosexuals have at Whitworth is the struggle with the Christian faith and other Christians surrounding them. Whitworth is a religious institution, but such people who are different should not have to fear how they will be treated by others. Many students who attend the college are different to such a degree - non-Christians, minorities and more.
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