Gay Suicides

“Know when you see him,
Nothing can free him.
Step aside, open wide,
It’s the loner.”
Neil Young, 1969

In conjunction with Rainbow Connectionz (formerly the Gay-Straight Student Alliance) Anne Balay put together a program dealing with the apparent epidemic of gay teens taking their own lives, often the result of bullying, the recent involving Rutgers student Tyler Clementi. Women’s Studies faculty Ana Osann and Lori Montalbano were on hand to lend their support. Co-chair Ricardo Robles compared being involved with Rainbow Connectionsz to getting a second family. Looking sexy with spiked red hair and pink shirt, tie and black slacks, Anne emphasized that suicide victims usually feel alone and without a place to turn to for help and that IU Northwest provides a welcoming atmosphere and fun environment for GLBT students. She also mentioned that there are gay-friendly bars and churches in Northwest Indiana as well as a thriving subculture in nearby Chicago. After reading a statement affirming IU’s nondiscrimination policy, Chancellor Lowe said that his brother, who was gay, committed suicide when he was 28 years old. The audience were stunned, and tears flowed freely. English department lecturer Ausra Buzenas, who I’d have guessed was a young man with long hair until she spoke, talked about being stopped entering women’s public bathrooms. She’ll be teaching a course on gender roles in the spring, and I mentioned my “Ides of March 2011” project and hoped she might have her students keep journals. People wrote messages on multicolored ribbons that were tied together. Mine, referring to Doc Lukas, read: “Terry, I miss you. Love, Jimbo.” On Facebook Anne wrote: “I feel so proud of the students, of the university, of the Chancellor. I feel glad to be queer, and I love my IUN family.”

As Toni predicted, Chris LaPorte won the Grand Rapids ArtPrize contest for his drawing of American cavalry officers, circa 1921. Wander Martich’s huge coin entitled “Helping Mom One Penny at a Time,” finished sixth. Traded emails with condo neighbor Desiree Kaminski (who wants to do paint trimming and needs the brand and shade of white), Linda Oblack of IU Press (who apologized for the delay on Sheriff Dominguez’s autobiography), and Ron Cohen (who wrote “Good Blog” and lamented Miller Bakery Café’s closing). Ron’s wife Nancy has a new grandson named Rocco.

Dr. Leonard Ostrowski decided the sutures behind my ear should stay in five more days so my doctor’s visit was a waste except for picking up prescription refills and a note for blood work. Drove to Maple Place for more smooth lake rocks. We put in a mum plant but still have a bare space. Had planned to talk with Joe Van Dyk at the Archives about his urban planning project but he called in sick at the last minute.

The featured speaker at IU Northwest’s annual Convocation (held in the recently named Bruce Bergland Auditoriam) was historian Ken Bain, author of “What the best College Teachers Do.” Introducing him was Cynthia O’Dell. Chancellor Lowe and Vice Chancellor Malik also said a few words. Bain’s main point was that making comparisons between past and current sevents leads to productive discussion that enhances the learning process. As an example, he mentioned how what happened in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina could be brought into a discussion of reconstruction. Afterwards I consumed eggs rolls and chicken tenders from the sumptuous buffet, as well as veggies and fruit. Talked to Chris Young about Jim Tolhuizen, to whom the program was dedicated, and introduced myself a second-year Sociology professor, Kevin McElmurry.

Passed over “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” about a depressed teenager in a psychiatric ward and on Roger Ebert’s four star recommendation saw “Secretariat,” starring one of my favorite actress, 45 year-old Diane Lane, radiant in “Under the Tuscan Sun” and incredibly lusty as a desperate housewife in “Unfaithful.” Diane played owner Penny Chenery, who succeeded against all odds in a male-dominated sport. John Malkovich was super as trainer Lucien Laurin. Sired by Bold Ruler, the 1973 triple crown winner lived to the ripe old age of 19 and sired 600 foals in retirement.

The Drive’s Friday “Ten at Ten” focused on 1969 and started out with Neil Young’s “The Loner” followed by Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused” and Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds,” for my money the King’s best effort ever. Creedence Clearwater Revival was the band of the year, and 1969 was also the year of Woodstock and Altamont. My favorite song, however, was Thunderclap Newman’s “Something in the Air.” Man, did I ever wear out the album “Hollywood Dream.”