Gay And Lesbian Student Association Of Susom

[bigguy]

Hey,
I'm really hoping that a moderator will look at this post and make a Sticky out of it, since, according to whatever statistics you embrace this post will be of significant interest to between 1 in 10 to 1 in 25 men reading this forum, and 1 in 20 to 1 in 35 women reading it.

Anyway,
If you're gay, lesbian, or undecided and you're considering medical school in the carib, Saba should be at the top of your list. While I wouldn't go as far as to say that any Caribbean island is "gay friendly", Saba has got to rank as one of the most tolerant islands. There are only a handful of gay and lesbian "locals" on the island, but they are well accepted, and don't face a significant amount of discrimination.

There is an active Gay and Lesbian Student Association that puts together a few socials events every semester. There's no big political agenda, it's just usually beer, bbq and laughs.

Several of the students and a few of the gay faculty are open and "out" about their sexuality. A few others choose to keep their orientation discrete, which is respected as well. Of course, all students maintain a professional code of conduct, so no one is flaunting their orientation whether gay or straight.

Saba attracts a really diverse climate of students from the US, Canada, the Middle East, India and Pakistan, and the Caribbean. While some students come to Saba with religious or ethical beliefs that disallow gay and lesbian lifestyles, all students find respect for the cultural, ethnic, and orientation diversity at Saba. There really is no discrimination to speak of on any level, against any group. Even the most conservative students leave Saba realizing that acceptance or tolerance for sexual orientation is part of becoming a competent physician.

If you've read this far and you're gay/lesbian or undecided, definitely apply to Saba and feel confident that there's nothing you have to hide from the administration, the application review committee, the professors, or your fellow students.

If you've read this far and you're feeling really uncomfortable about the idea of being around gay and lesbian students and faculty, by all means apply to another school....or better yet, give up medicine altogether, because you'll be a really crappy doc.

Bigguy

All you do and all you see is all your life will ever be. ~ Pink Floyd

[stephew]

I think that for gay and lesbian students, an issue to consider indeed is local acceptance of homosexuality. At sgu, the students are cool with it, its pretty much a non issue; as bigguy notes, if you gather enough people around you'll be including gays and lesbians and I've known several folks who lived quiet happily at sgu out and about. but the local culture is not tolerant . however Grenadian's dont tend to "see" it so as long as youre not telling the locals youre gay, there is no hostility. St Maarten, i believe, is relatively gay-friendly even among the locals (correct me if I'm wrong). I don't know anything about Saba along those lines.

[bigguy]

Thanks Stephew,

Of course you can go to any school in the carib and be discrete about your orientation and get along just fine.

I posted to let those gays and lesbians who don't feel like they have anything to hide know that the island people are tolerant, and the school and student body are accepting.

Because I wear a ring, I've been asked a few times if my wife is on the island. I've always felt comfortable saying "no I'm not married, I'm partnered, and he's back home in NYC." I'm not sure there's another island on which I could be that upfront.

The front-runner for one of the highest elected offices on Saba is openly gay and partnered. I doubt that would happen on any other island except St. Barths.

As for St. Martin, yeah, they're friendly to the gay tourist dollar, and it's perfectly safe within hotels, and gay bars, and clubs. Outside of that, St. Martin is just dangerous in general, and especially for gays.

Bigguy

[stephew]

that's good that its friendly there. was that something you looked into prior to choosing your med school.

[bigguy]

Hey,
Honestly no, it wasn't something that I planned my education around, and I certainly never intended to be a spokesperson for gay and lesbian issues.

Having lived in New York for the last 20 years, I'd forgotten that there are actually people and places that make an issue of what seems to me to be completely unimportant. My sexuality is such a minute part of my life (particularly on Saba where I'm not getting any) that it's the last way that I would want to be defined. I'm so many other things that seem so much more important: lawyer, businessman, med student, uncle, son, Catholic, harmonica player, weight lifter, partner.

I came to Saba intending to be discrete about my orientation, not because I have anything to hide, but just because there seemed no reason for it to come up.

The reason I became a little more vocal about it is that I became aware that among my classmates were students who'd never been exposed to someone who was openly gay before. I thought it was important for their education to be a visible interface of the gay doctors they'd be inevitably working alongside, and the gay patients who will make up a substantial amount of their patient loads. I think some of them that have come from more orthodox/traditional backgrounds may have had preconceived notions that gay men are perverts who hang around creepy places and who prey on boys.

I'm hoping that by being vocal about myself, as well as the partner I've had for 15 years (who is also a doc), I've painted a more accurate picture for them.

Bigguy

[stephew]

Hey,
My sexuality is such a minute part of my life (particularly on Saba where I'm not getting any) that it's the last way that I would want to be defined. I'm so many other things that seem so much more important: lawyer, businessman, med student, uncle, son, Catholic, harmonica player, weight lifter, partner.


I can totally understand that. That reminds me of what that actor recently said when he came out;that he hoped his being gay wasn't the most interesting part about him. I dont think about being "a brunette" or being "straight" but of course those aren't things that are socially hot issues are they? .


But I have to ask...harmonica player?

[sheikh1]

Ooops wrong posting, I am sorry.....

[doctor2007]

User can't play nice

[doctor2007]

I guess some words are a no no on this website. Nevertheless I still think the same of all the ....let's be politically correct "homosexuals". i .i..

[bigguy]

Hey Doctor2007,
I'd be really surprised if you actually attend Saba, or any medical school for that matter. If you do, it's pretty disappointing. I'd expect that a future MD would be able to distinguish between the correct usage of "accept" and "except". Additionally, I'd expect anyone moving toward a doctorate to be able to come up with a more reasoned position than just throwing out some juvenile slurs, and unsupported statements.

You make it pretty clear that you're a big thinker, since, apparently you not only speak for yourself, but all of society as well. Most Western nations allow gay marriage as well as military service. How do you justify your position in the face of that? Or, when you refer to society, are you just limiting it to your society?

I understand and accept (not except) that people unexposed to a significant gay population feel uncomfortable with the idea or reality of two men or two women being together. People are always uncomfortable with situations that are foreign to them. Even as a gay man, I have to admit to feeling some discomfort at watching two women hooking up. It seems unnatural to me because it's not part of my personal experience, and it's not what I'm used to. Also, as a white guy I wouldn't choose to live in an all hispanic neighborhood, because being hispanic isn't part of my experience either. I totally get that people like to hang around people like themselves. That's just human nature. Still, as a physician you're called to take your patients without preconceptions, or bias. If you can't do that, then you're just flat out incompetent.

I'd actually like to hear more about your position; I never mind hearing another opinion, even if it's contrary to mine or flat out insulting. It just gives me a better take on what's going on inside people's heads, and as doc, that's important. So if you've got something worth saying, leave the slurs behind and say it. Otherwise you just come off looking not very credible.

Bigguy

[DOCplucinski]

that's interesting that Saba is the most tolerant, I would hope most Caribb schools are tolerant. the majority of colleges i've been to visit or see friends, they are very tolerant with gay and lesbians and i don't know why it isn't uniform.

coming to school in the Caribb, it is very diverse. everyone should be just as tolerant with ethnicity as they are sexual preference. you can learn a lot from each other this way.

[DRDRWMD]

Damn more homosexualgots coming to Saba? Very disappointing to hear that. Society doesn't except you. I don't except you. Nobody does. Realty check please.This is the reason is important to have organizations that unite minority groups; especially in medicine, where minorities are still discriminated against (just look at the epidemiological studies). That is great that Saba is taking a proactive role in accepting all students.

[sheikh1]

We cant forget traditional marriage.....Please note that I dont hate anyone...

[bigguy]

DOCp,
I believe most large schools in the carib have a gay and lesbian association. However, the tolerance or acceptance is limited to the confines of the school. The reality is that much of the carib is hugely dangerous for gays and lesbians. You may recall that a few years ago the Cayman Islands refused to let a gay cruise ship dock. In some carib islands just being homosexual (irrespective of sexual activity) is a criminal offense punishable by jail time. There are a few islands that actually put persons with AIDS in jail rather than treat them. I think Doc2007 would be an awesome practitioner on one of those islands.

My post was meant to point out that Saba is tolerant both as a school, and as an island.

Bigguy

[MDiva]

Lets not forget traditional divorce, niether. What's your point?

It's great to see the carib schools making efforts to address the interests and needs of all students. Bravo!

[bigguy]

Dear Sheik,
No one is forgetting or devalue-ing traditional marriage. I was the Best Man in my sister's traditional marriage. My parents are traditionally married. I hope my nephews will one day be traditionally married. Virtually all of my friends are traditionally married (and on 11 occassions have asked me to be a Godparent to their children).

I however, am not a candidate for traditional marriage. I am however a candidate for becoming an MD. In medicine you're held to a higher standard of intelligence, tolerance, and acceptance.

The last thing I'm trying to do in this thread is promote gay lifestyle. I'm just letting medical students who are gay, lesbian, or undecided know that Saba is a good choice for them. It's also an outstanding choice for those who are, or may become traditionally married.

Bigguy

[bigguy]

On a lighter note,

Stephew, to get back to query about the harmonica playing. Yes, in addition to being many things including a gay man, I have also recently started playing the harmonica.

I mention it because it's actually a great way to stay awake during late night study sessions. The breathing and hyperoxygenation that you get when playing harmonica wakes you right up. A ten minute harmonica break is as good as a pot of coffee. I plan to carry it with me throughout clinical rotations and residency. Plus, it's easy, and I have absolutely no real musical talent.

Thanks for the interest,

Bigguy

[DRDRWMD]

Some people like the harmonica; I prefer the world's smallest violin.

[DOCplucinski]

i'm a guitar player myself...mainly acoustic

[doctor2007]

Hey bigguy you are all that,

[MDiva]

i'm a guitar player myself...mainly acoustic

I was g-player too. Used to have Fender Stratocaster (US), black on black, rosewood fret (sold her). Alas, lost my callouses after starting med school :(

F_A_G...that's me--> Future Air Guitar master!

[bigguy]

Hey bigguy you are all that

Later F_A_G


Yeah, you're absolutely right, I am a F*G. That's what this whole thread is about. In reviewing your posts I am aware that unfortunately, you are a fellow alumni. Fortunately, you've provided enough clues about who you are and when you started to identify yourself. Do you really believe your Dean's Letter and Degree to be irrevocable? FYI, I was alerted to your initial hostile response to my thread by the faculty.

Good luck, you need it.
Bigguy

Ps. and good job at your third attempt to put across an intelligent assertion. You've done a great job at demonstrating your caliber. As for the personal attacks, well geez, you've just wounded me so deeply that I'm just gonna have to go home and cry myself to sleep. Considering the source, you've just really managed to cut me to the core.

[DOCplucinski]

i'm pretty sik at air guitar

anyway i've had many quitars over the years, i had a strat at one time but sold her

now i stick with ovation acoustics, i have a balladeer right now...hopefully after i graduate, i'll treat myself with a nice Gibson

anyway back to topic, hopefully without anymore infractions :)

[sheikh1]

I like to play the piano......

[stateofequilibrium]

ValueMD does NOT tolerate any insults/slurs or bigotry based on a person's race/ethnicity/sexual orientation/etc. Retaliatory flamming/insults are likewise still violations of the TOS that you have agreed to.

[bigguy]

Dear State,
I agree that retaliatory flaming/insults should not be tolerated. However, discrediting an individuals unsupportable position by high-lighting their ignorant reasoning, grammar, and diction is neither insulting, nor flaming. It's merely holding them accountable before their peers for statements made.

Throughout this thread I've welcomed opinions, even contrary to my own. I shouldn't be sanctioned for elucidating another writer's lack of discretion or forethought.

Bigguy