Basically it all started last Sunday evening, Sept. 13. I went to prepare for bed late that evening around 2:00 a.m. and found the note attached to my room door in the suite. Our suite door was broken at the time and wouldn’t lock, so the common room was easily accessible to anyone. I was shocked and first took it as some sick joke when I read the note, “die you motherfucking FAG!!! Nobody wants your kind on campus.” At first I was angry and I balled up the note and threw it in the trash, but shortly afterwards I realized that this was a serious matter that needed to be addressed. The next morning I took the note and went to report the incident to Public Safety and filed a report. They took the issue very seriously and were very kind to me through the process since I was obviously very shaken. Later that same afternoon I was contacted by Sandra Bowles and met with her that day to talk about how I felt and to give her a better idea of the incident. She also immediately put in a work order for the door to be repaired and it was taken care of that same day. The administration was horrified by what had taken place and began to discuss what was going to happen in response to it. I was included for the entirety of the process, which I am very grateful for. They have not left me out from any decision or done anything without my consent, wanting to make sure that I am okay more than anything else. As plans were forming for the Bryan announcement by Aaron, the second incident took place on Wednesday evening a little before midnight. I was sitting in my room with the window open and the blinds were down since it was rather hot when I heard a loud noise. I looked around, unsure of what it was and saw a very obvious bend in the blinds. I walked over to examine it and noticed a square stone lying on the bed with a piece of paper wrapped around it, held together by rubber bands. I immediately called my RA and asked her to make sure she didn’t see anyone running before coming over to check on me. She acted quickly and responsibly in the situation, calling Public Safety and staying with me until they arrived. Another report was filed that night and they assured me that whoever it was wouldn’t be allowed to do it again.

This is the incident that really got to me deep inside. It was horrifying for me to think that someone that I do not even know would be willing to do such terrible things. I am in no way saying that the first note was acceptable, but the idea of throwing a rock through my window is so violent and aggressive that it really made me begin to worry. I found a huge source of support within the administration at Guilford, and their reaction to the second incident was complete outrage. They were just as visibly upset as I was by the idea something like this could happen on our campus, where we live in such an open and accepting community, and by the fact that this isn’t a difference of ideas, but a threat on a student’s life. I was very shaken at that point, but I knew that if I continued forward this aggressor wouldn’t win, so I met with people such as David Hammond and Aaron Fetrow, both of whom have been amazing in helping me through this issue, to discuss the best course of action.

With my approval, it was decided that the meeting should still take place and that both notes should be read to show all of the Bryan residents the severity of what was happening in our home. On Friday Aaron proceeded with the evening hall meeting of all Bryan residents and expressed his strong convictions of how wrong these acts were and very sternly warned that whoever is responsible will suffer the consequences of these actions if they are caught. This was the first time I had actually heard the second note since I couldn’t bring myself to read it on Wednesday night when it was found. Hearing the words of that note made everything in me sink. “I hope it hit you in the fucking head faggot. You don’t deserve life like the rest of the world. It’s bad enough without all the gay crap pulling people down. It’s sick, unnatural, and death is almost too good for you. Almost.” Hearing that really tore me up inside, but looking around I saw how horrified everyone else was at the words as well, and I knew that our campus was a place that would not tolerate that sort of thing.

Since the two incidents I have been slowly getting back on my feet, working toward finding a more stable ground to stand on. Each day is better than the one before and I am so happy to see all over the campus the outrage that people have toward such horrible acts as these. Seeing the administration act so quickly and effectively, and seeing PRIDE organize things to stand against this really helps me. Even if people do not know who I am, everyone should know that I see all of the work being done by the campus around me and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. I know I am loved here and that this isn’t something that anyone is going to tolerate. It isn’t a fight between liberal and conservative views or a debate between whether homosexuality is right or wrong, but a blatant act of aggression and hate against someone. It is my hope that everyone remembers that when thinking about this issue. Guilford is an open and accepting place, and we must remember that ideas are not going to always match up, even on issues such as homosexuality. But it’s okay to disagree and still live together and get along, and that is what must happen now on this campus. One of my worst fears is that this will degrade into a battle of one mindset over another, because it isn’t about that. It’s about the twisted mind of an individual and their terrible expression of hatred toward another human being because of their lack of understanding and acceptance. All I ask is that everyone accepts one another for who they are, even if you do not agree with them on all issues. That way perhaps we can help each other, educate each other, and look toward each other as we grow. That is the only way to avoid these acts of aggression: we must diffuse the fear that comes from not knowing or understanding because that is what leads to the hatred.