New Diversity Alliance Tackles Heteronormative Atmosphere at the ASP

By JESS RAU

A gay-straight alliance/diversity discussion group (called the Diversity Alliance or DA) is being formed by Advanced Studies Program interns and faculty in response to concerns of a heteronormative atmosphere on campus, specifically regarding the tradition of serenades.

The group plans to meet Tuesdays, from 5:30 to 6:15 in the Lower dining room to discuss issues including heteronormativity, a societal view that assumes and presents heterosexuality as the norm.

Carleigh Beriont, one of the interns involved in the forming of DA, hopes that the group will help make students more comfortable with themselves and serve as a much-needed support group while also spreading awareness.

“Tolerance is something that concerns everyone so I hope it becomes a campus-wide discussion,” Ms. Beriont said.

Imagining the soon-to-be group as an open venue where students can comfortably express themselves and their concerns, those involved hope that the name doesn’t hinder the success of the group.

“It [the group] needs to be accessible and advertised so that it doesn’t sound like it’s just for gay people,” said Ancient Greece student Holly Zaharchuk.

The group more broadly aims to tackle issues that involve the entire ASP community, particularly heteronormativity on the campus and its origins.

According to Ms. Beriont, the ASP “has some traditions it wouldn’t hurt to reconsider.” One of the ASP traditions recently under scrutiny for heteronormative issues is the serenade, a process by which dorms of the opposite sex perform songs and dance for each other. Some students don’t identify the practice as a problem, while others see it as a definite issue and source of a heteronormative atmosphere.

The serenade policy “suggest[s] that we’re supposed to be wooing the opposite sex” and “has deeper meaning that do have a social consequence,” Ms. Zaharchuk said.

ASP Director Michael Ricard said that he could see how some people might view serenades “as a practice that promotes [heteronormativity]” and that the program is definitely open to change as the administration is always assessing their programs at the ASP. “It is 100% unintentional and is a policy that certainly could be reexamined going forward,” said Mr. Ricard.

ASP community members identified the heteronormativity resulting from a lack of awareness or knowledge of how it affects people. Many regarded the issue as a taboo subject in society and one that is not freely discussed.

“How heteronormativity treats and perceives homosexuals as people needs to be talked about,” Ms. Zaharchuk said.

While the Diversity Alliance will serve to start the conversation at ASP, Shakespeare student Julia Eyman noted its potential to make an impact even beyond the ASP campus. She suggested that students will take what they learn in the group and bring it back to their own high school environment to continue the discussion.