This past week there was a protest here at my school, Dominican University of Chicago. It was a racially driven protest. However, the ones in charge welcomed any type of discrimination to be addressed. I went to that protest for Black Lives, and for LGBTQIA Lives, especially those of color. At this school, that I will say I love very much, I have experienced aggressive negative comments and actions that have been directed towards the LGBTQIA community. As one of my good friends said, if you have a problem, I have a problem. It is really sad that there are faculty members and professors here who make students feel uncomfortable and targeted. It is something we are working on changing now. It is also something that faculty members are aware of and are doing their "best" to address it.

One of the events that I experienced here was when I was told that there was absolutely no way I could have a gay wedding here on campus, because of the affiliation. I was not surprised, however, what surprised me was the fact that other faculty members disagreed. They also pointed out the fact that there have been gay weddings here on campus before. I was in shock. Also take in mind that I am leaving out major details of the experience, it was not a calm and collective conversation. However, to be lied too and just because of a certain belief made me outraged. I do not deserve that, also, if you are a person of truth and love, why can't that be fought? I had a member of the ministry here on campus tell me "so f*cking what," we can change and fight those silly rules here.

I go to a school that has a picture perfect outside, but an inside that is corrupt (at times) and just about the money. I was informed that when the first LGBTQIA alliance group was formed here on campus the university lost donors. I thought that was just silly, but I guess it turned out to be huge chunks of money. I guess what just bothers me the most is that I am a student, that was convinced I was going to a place that would make me feel the world was a little more just, had to hear this. I wish there were faculty here who would respect the lifestyles of all students, who would encourage them to be themselves. We have a lot of work to do here, and I will do what I can while I am here. However, this is not something I look forward too. This is prejudice that I have experienced since I was not a masculine little boy. It feels like this is never ending sometimes, and I cannot even imagine what it is like for our black students.