Telling the truth - coming out - isn't easy. But at college, which functions as an insular cultural community, students are finally in charge of every aspect of their lives - from laundry to libido. After tasting these new freedoms, gay students slowly begin to confront their homosexuality, and many openly reveal their sexual orientation.

During the past decade, the numbers of students coming out at colleges has significantly increased, as have their demands for equal treatment. As these students become more visible, complaints are likely to surface that GLBT students are "in my face" or that they are constantly carping that they are not full members of the community. When GLBT visibility takes the form of provocative political activism, like inviting Taormino, a backlash is predictable, and Colby fits this pattern.

A transvestite performs a skit at the 2nd Annual Colby Drag Show.

"I think the extreme left wing of the queer movement on campus are whiners," said Steven Bogden '05, president of Colby's Republicans, who criticized Taormino's appearance. "I want them to be able to live in society comfortably. However, I am not willing to change or break down every sexual norm in society and allow every taboo, specifically pornography."

Bogden hits upon a thorny topic concerning the civil-rights movement for gays and lesbians. National polls suggest that most people believe gay men and lesbians should be granted constitutional rights of equal protection and the right to privacy. The court of public opinion and the court of law sway, however, when homosexuals argue for sexual freedom. When gay rights advocates - or activist Colby students - raise larger issues of socialization, gender and society's taboos concerning sex, they tap into a well of cultural anxiety and hostility. According to Professor Margaret McFadden (American studies), that tapping has created a campus environment that advances an implicit "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

"There's a lot of hostility and resentment to the new visibility," said McFadden. "Students say, 'It's okay if you're gay, I'll still be your friend. But don't ever make me think about it, and don't ever tell me that this person is cute, and don't ever tell me about your life.' As long as you keep it on the down low, it's accepted. But if you don't perform it in a conservative way or look the correct part in gender terms, then you're going to get a negative reaction."