I can always tell when the College of Idaho calls for their fundraiser. They will call and the caller ID will say "C of I". I don't answer. Then, no more than one minute later, another phone call comes through. I presume the first one was for me. The second call I presume is for Kent.

I never answer. It's not because I don't like my former college. In fact, I have very fond memories of my college. It's all a matter of respect.

I respect that they have given me an education. I respect that there are a lot of experiences in my life that in indirect ways, the college has had an impact on. I respect that they have given me the foundation of the life I have today.

But they do not respect my life that I have with Kent. They respect me... to a point. And that point is what they want me to be, meets, what I am. Fantasy versus reality. It is as wide as an ocean.

To this day, they have done nothing for gay students at the College of Idaho. They do have a Gay, Straight Campus Alliance, under which it states:

The Gay, Straight Campus Alliance organization will serve to support, educate and promote issues for the student body. In order to do this, the Gay, Straight Campus Alliance will discuss relevant topics, have guest speakers and work with other Treasure Valley organizations.

That's a start, but a Gay, Straight Campus Alliance is more than just having guest speakers that come in occasionally. Being a gay friendly campus is having an actual physical place that you can actually go to and talk with someone about issues you may be having, such as alienation, depression, rejection from friends and family. In other words, all the things that can happen when you are coming out. Many young people come out in college, especially if they come from a place that is not so accepting to gay people.

I don't mean to sound like a mean bastard with bad feelings, but I'm quite honestly sick and tired of them asking me for money when they give so little to gay students who may need some support.

So when I see them calling me, and see that the caller ID is "C of I", I don't answer. I suppose I could answer and unload my wrath upon some 18 year old volunteer student who would have no idea what the hell I was talking about, but that wouldn't really be fair. I'm a force to be reckoned with, and they are just starting their lives. I remember what it was like to be them.

Someday, perhaps, there will be truth that will shine through to people who don't want to acknowledge the existence of others who don't fall into their small view of the world. I guess we can hope. Until that time, I will continue to ignore the calls from people of lesser vision.