Bryce

The Second Semester

Chapter 13 - Support for the GLBT

            Tuesday morning began like Monday, with a strenuous workout at the gym.  As usual, Bryce saw Curtis Manning there, who reminded him of the Sigma Alpha Tau meeting that evening, as though that were necessary.  Bryce noticed that Curtis seemed less and less focused as the days passed.  He pondered that as he spotted for his friend.  It did not take much thought to arrive at a conclusion.  Curtis was getting married in June.  He was seeing his fiancée every day.  His attention was not on the fraternity, not on classes, and not on working out.  Bryce smiled, and wondered whether he would ever have a similar experience with Damon.

            After waking Damon and sharing a good breakfast, in contrast to the day before, Bryce reported to his Psychology class at 9:30.  He had looked forward to this class, called Introduction to the Psychology of Personality, as a contrast to his experiences with Dr. Greeley the previous semester.  However, things were not turning out the way he anticipated.  It was true that Dr. Greene, his instructor this term, had a different approach than had Dr. Greeley last semester, but it was no more acceptable to Bryce.  She was an adherent of the behaviorist school of psychology, following in the footsteps of B. F. Skinner (1904-1990) of Harvard.  The members of this school of psychology are convinced that humans, or what they call ‘organisms,’ are entirely determined in their beliefs and actions by external stimuli, consequently denying free will and any responsibility of the individual for his or her actions.  It seemed everyone was determined to relieve us humans of responsibility for our actions and our future, whether it was John Calvin with double predestination, or Karl Marx with economic determinism, or Sigmund Freud with sex, or B. F. Skinner with behaviorism.  As far as Bryce was concerned, there was not a bit of difference among them.  Each had a part of reality, and blew it up into the whole thing.  A life totally controlled by outside forces, with no real choice by the individual, was simply worthless.

            As in the previous semester, there was an outside paper required.  In a spirit of perversity, Bryce decided to do his on the so-called Humanistic school, which had been dismissed by Dr. Greene in her introductory lecture as “wishful thinking.”  This school of thought, following the theories of Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, seemed much more compatible with Bryce’s own outlook, in that it allowed for free will and individual development, even in the face of adverse external stimuli, which seemed to fit the case of Damon Watson much better than the behaviorist school’s paradigm.  Bryce found the Humanist school’s outlook compatible with the so-called Serenity Prayer used by most of the 12 Step Programs he had encountered while attempting to free himself from his drug habit back in high school.  Bryce had never actually been part of such a program, but had researched them on the web.  That prayer says: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

            Following his Psychology class, Bryce had two and a half hours before his karate class at 1:30.  He began that period by again visiting the library, working on his various term papers, again with an emphasis on Dr. Johnson.  At noon, however, he met Damon for lunch.  As they had more time than on their Monday, Wednesday, Friday days, they decided to go off campus, and were about to leave when they encountered Jason Todd.  After a couple of minutes’ exchange, they invited Jason to accompany them, which he agreed to do.  Hopping into Bryce’s Mustang, they made their way to a Cracker Barrel, which always served good meals, but was always crowded.  They had to wait twenty minutes to be seated.  While doing so, they perused the pseudo-country store offerings in the shop, mostly making sarcastic comments, to the annoyance of some of the other customers.  The lunch itself was good, of course, and the three enjoyed their companionship.

            Jason informed Bryce that he decided he could accept some of the advice he was given on Saturday, even if he did not agree with everything Bryce had to say about the secularization of the country.  He had come out to his closest friend in the fraternity, his former mentor, Bob Balducci, who was now the fraternity treasurer.  He was surprised to be told that Bob had assumed all along that he was gay.  He laughed at that, and told Bryce that, if they all went like this, there would be no difficulty whatsoever.  Neither Jason nor Bryce expected his family to be as accepting as his mentor, however.  Nonetheless, it was great to see Jason so buoyed by this latest success.

            Returning to campus, Bryce had his Physical Education class beginning at 1:30.  This was the follow-up class to his Beginning Karate class the previous semester.  Damon, however, did not have his next class until 3:30, and then it was a class in swimming.  Growing up in the Chicago projects, Damon had never learned to swim.  His contacts with Bryce and his family, and his consideration of his own goals, convinced him that he needed to learn, in a way like his signing up for soccer last fall, so he signed up for a class for beginners.  Bryce admired his boyfriend’s determination of better himself and grow beyond his background, which just might be the subject of his Psychology term paper.  He would have to talk to Damon, to make certain he would have no objections to being a ‘guinea pig,’ but he seemed a perfect model for the Humanistic approach to the psychology of personality.

            When Bryce reported to the gym for his karate class, the first person he met was Caroline Koehler.  She immediately began critiquing his karate in the previous class, but he deflected her interest by mentioning the jazz concert featuring Jason’s combo, which would take place on Saturday.  Caroline was always ready to talk about events at the School of Music, so that kept her busy until class began.  Bryce found that what he had learned last semester was coming back to him without difficulty, and some of what had seemed difficult before now was beginning to seem natural and easy.  Easy in the sense that he could do it without having to analyze each step, not in the sense that it did not raise a sweat.  He was beginning to get the hang of it, in his own terms.  At the conclusion of class, they met Damon, who was arriving for his swimming class.  Caroline invited both guys to again consider lunch at Rebecca Ruth Hall, where her cooking classes, or “human ecology” classes in Orwellian Newspeak, were held, and where she promised a delicious and healthful repast, and Bourbon balls.  They promised to be there on Thursday.

            Thinking of “Human Ecology” and Newspeak, Bryce was reminded of George Orwell’s lament about the abuses of English in his 1946 essay, “Politics and the English Language,” in which he lambastes his contemporaries for dying metaphors, pretentious diction or rhetoric, and meaningless words.  He wondered what Orwell would have to say about American English sixty years later.

            For Bryce, it was then another plunge into the library until it was time to meet Damon for the evening meal before heading out to the regular weekly business meeting of Sigma Alpha Tau.  As he was leaving the library, he encountered Hunter Matthews, the dull individual he had seen several times working out at the gym.  Hunter was just looking up at the library building, which was, after all, a pretty nice looking structure.  But as Bryce passed, Hunter said, “All this is unnecessary.”

            “Pardon?”

            “All this is unnecessary.  Everything in the library can be put on-line, and accessed by computer.  There’s no need for large buildings like this, and all this waste of paper products,” Hunter replied.

            Bryce looked at him.  “You really think libraries and books are outdated?”

            “Oh, definitely.  We can get rid of all this,” Hunter asserted.  “It’s simply no longer needed.”

            Bryce looked up at the neo-classical proportions of the James Kennedy Patterson Memorial Library.  He remembered only a few moments ago holding a century old volume containing erudite commentary on the works of Samuel Johnson, recalling its feel and its smell, and devoutly hoped that Hunter was wrong.  Anyone who made decisions based purely on utility seemed to Bryce to be an enemy of civilization.  Maybe Hunter and Newspeak would go well together.

            “I hope you’re wrong, Hunter.  Your world is one I would not want to live in,” Bryce said as they parted.  Hunter looked confused.

            Over dinner, Bryce broached the possibility of using Damon as his test case for his Psychology paper.  Damon was torn.  He was not certain where this would lead him.  He was not anxious for exposure, but he was kind of flattered that anyone, and especially his boyfriend, thought he was worth writing about.  He had helped Bryce with his Psychology project last semester, but not in such a personal manner.  He agreed to think about it, and Bryce agreed to give him more information about what would be involved.  They discussed briefly the psychological theories involved, and Damon proved quicker to catch on than Bryce had initially expected.  Bryce had to remind himself that, despite his inadequate background, Damon was every bit as intelligent as he.  It was only a lack of context which sometimes made him seem less so.  He leaned across the table and said softly, “When we get back to the dorm, I owe you the rest of the evening.”  Damon’s eyes lighted with anticipation.

            Sigma Alpha Tau fraternity only pledged new members once each year, unlike some others which pledged each semester.  In consequence, there were no slaves available for setting up the meeting room, or doing gofer duty.  The brothers had to do that themselves.  So, Bryce and Damon showed up twenty minutes prior to the time the meeting was to begin to help with arrangements.  Curtis was there supervising, and appreciated their cooperative spirit.

            “You can tell who’s going to go far in this outfit, and who’s only along for the ride, when you see who shows up to help when he doesn’t have to,” Curtis commented.

            That indirect praise made both Bryce and Damon feel good.

            The meeting room was set up, with rows of chairs for the brothers and the table in front for the officers, by 7:30 when it was time for the opening ceremonies.  Tom Blankenship, the fraternity president, entered, accompanied by the other officers, and took his place behind the table at the head of the room.  Dr. Dickinson, the fraternity advisor, was seated off to one side as usual.  He had arrived while the setting up was in progress.  The Sergeant-at-Arms was instructed to guard the door, and not allow anyone not giving the correct signal into the room.  Bryce learned that it did not matter whether the Sergeant-at-Arms actually recognized one or not.  If one arrived late and did not have the correct signal, no admission was permitted.  He thought that kind of silly, until he considered that it was a powerful incentive to be on time.  He and Damon were seated well before the doors were closed and the meeting began.

            When the agenda arrived at the point for new business, President Blankenship informed the brothers that he had received a communication from another student organization which required action.  He then read the missive from Gary Woodson, President of the GLBT Club, requesting support for the students who had been suspended for demonstrating a week ago.  Bryce felt odd, hearing his own words read out to him, as he had composed the letter sent out over Woodson’s name.  After reading the letter, Tom said he was inclined to support the effort on behalf of free speech, but thought it appropriate to bring it before the brothers before sending an official response.

            Several brothers took the floor to speak, asking questions more than anything else.  The gist of their comments was that they did not want to be identified with the more radical activities which had taken place a little over a week before.  One brother in particular was critical of any involvement.  This was J. Harrison Dwyer, a sophomore.

            “We have done more than anyone could expect to show we are supportive of diversity,” he argued.  “We admit anyone who can pay the entrance fee to our parties.  We even have admitted blacks and gays as brothers.  I don’t think anyone can accuse SAT of being prejudiced.  But enough is enough.  This is a social fraternity.  There’s no need for us to become involved in campus politics, especially in such a questionable cause.”

            Both Bryce and Damon, as well as several others, jumped up to respond to that statement.  Damon obtained recognition from the chair first.

            “I’m pleased that Brother Dwyer is not prejudiced,” he began in a sarcastic tone.  “However, I would like to think that my brothers in Sigma Alpha Tau voted to accept me last semester because they thought I would be a good brother, not because I was some kind of requirement for fulfilling a diversity quota.”

            DuBois Kennedy, who was Damon’s mentor last semester, added, “I kind of hope the same was true of me, even though I’ve been a brother longer than Damon.  Being a poster child may be an honor, but being a statistic on a chart is not.”

            Another brother contributed, “We may be a social fraternity, but SAT has taken a stand on issues of interest to students in general before.  We voted for coed dorms two years ago.  The fact that the Administration has not acted on that matter does not change the fact that we took a stand.”

            Another brother joked, “That’s kind of a social issue.  At lease, I like to think of socializing with the girls in my ... well, never mind.”

            “Yeah,” another yelled out without being recognized, “I think us straight guys should have the same ogling rights in dorms as the gay guys.”

            That evoked laughter, which eased some of the tension in the air.  Even while laughing, Tom called that last comment out of order.

            Bryce obtained the floor.  “Look, guys, no one is asking you to support the protesters who were having sex in public, or those who were destroying University records, or those who were trying to force kids to sign petitions they did not want to.  The GLBT Club itself has called those actions unacceptable.  But there were others, most of the demonstrators, who were peacefully trying to gain attention for what they thought were valid grievances.  Whether you think the grievances were in fact valid is not the point.  We’re not being asked to endorse those protests.  All that letter asks is support for students who are being punished for exercising their right to protest.  Do you really think peacefully protesting should be treated in the same category as attacking other students and beating them up?”

            There ensued considerable discussion about what had actually happened on the Monday of the protests, and what the actions of the Administration had been since then.  Dwyer again obtained the floor, and stated that he thought it would be a great mistake for the fraternity to be associated too closely with “questionable” elements on campus.  There had already been rumblings from some of the “old boys,” i.e., the alumni of the fraternity.

            Bryce was pleased that Keith Hamilton spoke up, saving him the necessity of speaking too often.  Keith again pointed out that the issue at stake was one of free speech.  He went on to assert that it was also a matter of justice.  Equating merely protesting, however annoying to some, with actually physically attacking someone with whom one disagreed, simply made no sense to him.  He suggested that the fraternity write to the “old boys” explaining the rationale behind the support which he hoped would be given to the request from the GLBT Club.  Bryce grinned and gave Keith a thumbs up when he sat down.

            Terry Hoffman, the fraternity Secretary, groaned at the prospect of writing to all the alumni, but Bryce jumped in and volunteered to help.  So did Damon and Keith.

            Jason Todd then spoke up for the first time.  “Some of you may think homosexuality is wrong.  That’s your right.  But that is not the issue here.  No one is asking for support for homosexuality.  As I hear it, the letter from the GLBT Club is asking for support for free speech and for fairness.  All we have to do is come out for those values in this case, where the Administration is clearly over-reacting and violating those rights.  This does concern us all.”

            At that, President Blankenship put the matter to a vote.  It was not unanimous, but the measure to support the GLBT Club passed by what, in political elections, was called a landslide, i.e, more than 60%.  In fact, 71 of the 83 brothers present voted in favor.  That definitely made Bryce feel good about his fraternity brothers.

            After the meeting adjourned, Terry captured Bryce, Damon, and Keith, and wanted to know when they would be available to stuff envelopes and label them.  Running off several hundred copies of a form letter and a set of mailing labels was not a problem.  Composing the letter, and then the mind-numbing task of labeling and stuffing was the problem.  Bryce quickly volunteered to help composed the letter to the “old boys,” only to find that this did not exempt him from the other tasks.  They settled on times to carry out the needed work in the next few days.

            Bryce found that Jason had waited around to speak to him.  “The meeting tonight was very interesting,” he said, after getting Bryce and Damon to himself.  “Did you get the final tally on that vote?”

            “Yeah.  71 in favor, 12 against,” Damon responded.

            “That settles it,” Jason said.  “I’m coming out to the whole fraternity at the next meeting.”

            Bryce and Damon congratulated Jason, pounding him on the back.

            “There is a parliamentary issue, of course,” Bryce said straight-faced.

            “What’s that?” Jason worried.

            “Does this come under New Business or under Announcements?” Bryce kidded.

            “Fuck you,” Jason responded.

            “No, that’s my privilege,” Damon insisted.

            “Enough!” Bryce insisted, blushing slightly.  “How about a visit to Pat’s to top off the evening?  My treat.”

            “All right!” the other two chorused.

            At their favorite bar, Bryce, Damon, and Jason snagged a booth just as some others were leaving, and ordered a round of drafts.  They were just sipping their beers when Harry Dwyer came in with a few of his friends.  Although they did nothing to attract his attention, Harry noticed the three, and walked over to their booth.

            “Hey, guys.  Interesting meeting tonight,” he said.

            “You could say that,” Bryce replied.

            “Hey, nothing personal, you know.  You guys are okay in my book.  All SATs together and all that.  I just think we’re going too far, you know, taking a stand on this matter when we don’t have to,” Harry repeated his position from the meeting.

            “We got that Harry, but obviously most of the brothers disagree with you,” Jason said.

            “Yeah, well, like I said, it’s nothing personal.  I mean, I’m not prejudiced or anything.  I just think homosexuality is immoral, you know,” Harry declared.

            Bryce, Damon, and Jason all tried to say something at the same time, but eventually Bryce was able to ask, “Immoral?  Based on what?”

            “Well, it’s in the Bible, you know,” Harry said.

            “In the Bible?  I didn’t realize you were so religious, Harry,” Bryce pushed.

            “Well, I’m no fanatic or anything, you know.  But my family is Catholic.  Dwyer is Irish, you know.”

            “Irish Catholic, is it?  I suppose you’re strongly influenced by Catholic moral teaching, and attend Mass every Sunday, like a good boy,” Bryce taunted.

            “Well, no.  I mean, my folks are no fanatics either, you know.  I went to a private school, but not a Catholic one.  I mean, we make up our own minds, you know, and I guess we go to church at Christmas and Easter, and maybe a few other times when somebody feels like it.”

            “Harry, I think you’d better go.  Damon and Jason and I have some private matters to discuss,” Bryce said.

            “Oh, okay.  I just wanted you to know it was nothing personal,” Harry repeated as he took his leave.

            “What private matters do we have to discuss?” Damon asked, grinning.

            “For one thing, how I can possibly keep from socking that hypocrite in the face the next time I see him,” Bryce muttered between clenched teeth.

            “Now, now.  It’s nothing personal,” Damon parroted.

            “We wouldn’t want you to think Harry’s prejudiced, now,” Jason added.

            “You know,” Jason and Damon said together.

            It took several beers to calm them to the point they could walk back to campus without destroying something.

            That evening, Bryce and Damon shared their intimate feelings in bed, after which Damon agreed in his last waking moments to be Bryce’s guinea pig for his Psychology term paper.

            On Wednesday, Bryce met with Gary Woodson at 11:00.  He was again putting in time at the GLBT information desk.  Gary reported that he had received the endorsement of Sigma Alpha Tau that morning by e-mail.  It was the first of the social fraternities or sororities to support the GLBT position.  Gary was keeping a running total on the Club web site, listing those who had given support and those who had written negative comments about the requested support.  He was happy to report that the pros far exceeded the antis.  Gary also noted that, only two hours after posting SAT’s support, which he had done first thing that morning, he received support from a second fraternity.  Bryce recognized the fraternity to which Mike Sandoval and David Simpson belonged.  He did not think it mere coincidence that this support came only after SAT went public with its endorsement of the GLBT position.