Andrew J. Blumenfeld Archives

Coming to Princeton as a brand new, bright-eyed freshman is, let’s admit, a terrifying prospect all on its own. While we’re being honest, I should confess: Arriving as an openly homosexual male has brought its own set of challenges. Battling through the suffering that accompanies hiding an identity for years, then rejoicing through the triumph of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel when the truth demands to be liberated — these experiences taken in their entirety represent a coming out story. But that was before Princeton. Since arriving — and approaching the end of my first year — I have learned that the story is far from over and, for better or for worse, requires rethinking.

There has long existed a stereotype about homosexuals coming out of the closet: The Midwestern boy secretly stashes away some savings and quietly packs a suitcase so that, on his 18th birthday, he can announce to his corn-husking parents that he is gay and flee to New York or Los Angeles with nothing but his gayness. With a self-congratulatory attitude, many like to believe this stereotype is a relic of the past. It’s possible that the new coming-out story, however, will make us yearn for that original rainbow stereotype.

Wrapping up Princeton University's 'Pride Week' (4/11-4/18) has made me begin to seriously consider just how 'proud' I am to count myself amongst the Ls, the Gs, the Bs, and the Ts.  Specifically, I identify as a male homosexual and this week of activities ('Pride Week' t-shirt decorating, film screenings, appropriately decorated baked goods, etc.) has called into question the extent to which this identity is a legitimate source of pride in my life.

No doubt nearly all those who identify as members of the LGBT community had moments of particular difficulty early on in their lives when they hoped their identity could be wished away (or ignored entirely).  While many people might be straightforward in admitting that those hopes are still alive within them (and, indeed, there are those who claim they were even successful in exorcising that element of their identity), the all-too-familiar ‘Pride’ celebration and mantra seems to indicate that this is certainly not the mainstream in the LGBT community and movement.