In offhand remarks in school...

In Historical Context Lit. this afternoon, my instructor, in describing the content of the first exam to be conducted in one week's time, he made a point of stating that the poetical works of Rimbaud, whom we studied earlier last week, would only be "on the test for gay people."

I know he was kidding. I know he's a rather broad-minded and well-versed teacher, and classes so far have been both educational and entertaining, however peppered with references to Gilmore Girls and politics.

In fact, if he'd've left it at that, I would have taken it as one of his usial remarks and mentally moved on.

But he made it a point to note after the muted laughter and snickering that in any other univeristy in the province, the gay populace of the class would be vocal and assertive in stating both their opinions and the opinion that there should be more gay literature included on the list of 'great' modern books. In Lethbridge, however, there are either none at all, or they are too afraid to come out of the closet.

I'm not gay, but that makes little difference as soon as I clarify it to bisexual. It's still an 'alternative sexuality'.

Thank you, so much, for reminding me that not only is it still a possibility in this wonderful, free, and open-minded country for me to be ostracized, shunned, lynched, and even murdered for something as personal and private as my sexuality, but that I have to somehow achieve my lifetime education in the middle of one of the most conservative cities in the conservative west.