*The following statements I make within this article are my own opinions. The statements made in this article are not the views of The Rotunda or Longwood University*
This past weekend was one of Longwood's most celebrated weekends during the year: Spring Weekend. A celebration where the whole student body comes out to enjoy a fun time under the sun and love the fact they are a Lancer. My Spring Weekend usually involves working an open house for accepted students who will have the opportunity to attend the university in the fall.
I love working these open houses and seeing the faces of future Lancers - it just brings me immense joy and excitement. All the students coming in are just so pumped and ready to be Lancers, then they see the festivities and become incredibly overjoyed and anxious. Parents start tearing up because they start thinking that their babies are going to be leaving the nest and flying solo. Some parents are more worried than others, and some are more excited than others.
This open house became an extremely heartwarming experience, and nearly brought me to tears. I had a parent approach me, nervous as anything and slightly fearful about what he was about to ask.
He said, "I have a question for you. Please correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm making assumptions right now, but my son is openly gay, and I was just wondering if you were too. I just want to know what it is like here at the university for an individual who is open about their sexuality, and is there is a support system here on campus if need be?"
After talking to him for a while, telling him about what Longwood had to offer for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community here on campus, he seemed relieved and very pleased.
He spoke about how back at home it is not as widely accepted, and it's been troubling. I could tell it was a difficult subject for him, not because he was uncomfortable with the fact that his son was gay, but because he was afraid for his son. He only wanted his son to be safe and in an environment that would accept him as an individual and not label him inappropriately.
That is what impacted me the most: the concern the father had for his own son. Now, many people would see this as a father being overprotective, but I see this as a father proving his love and care. That father reminded me of my own dad. My dad is my hero, and he only looks out for me and wishes for my happiness. Sure, the fact that I'm a homosexual made him twinge; however, in the end he told me, "You're my son, and I love you."
My dad continuously tells me how proud he is of me and tells me how much he loves me. It motivates me every day to keep going and to be the best person I can be. The prospective student's father just reminded me of my own father, and it made me happy to know there are other dads out there who just want the happiness of their children. Students in high school receive a lot of grief from their fathers, especially gay males, because fathers want their sons to be "manly men." It upsets me to know this, and it tears me apart. But to have this dad ask me all these questions and introduce me to his son to talk to him pleased me. It reminded me that the world is spinning in the right direction.
If my dad, a retired army man, former farmer and hardcore conservative from Sabina, Ohio, can accept me as an individual and continue to say that he loves me and is proud of what I've accomplished, I'm sure many more fathers can as well.
To the father that approached me, I thank you for being such an amazing person. The world needs more father figures like you who will love their child unconditionally, no matter what they claim to be. People like you are silently leading society into greatness, so continue showing your love and continue being fabulous.
