Theme Song: "Testify" - Rage Against The Machine
It wasn't a new idea. On the contrary, back when Jai and I were freshmen, she proposed the idea at one of our weekly ALLiES meetings... where it was immediately SHOT DOWN. Certain influential members felt that it was too dangerous. Needless to say, two years later, when Freshman Kyle puts the idea of an ALLiES Theme House back on the table, Jai pounces on the subject like a bloodthirsty puma! Fueled by passion, Jai singlehandedly churns out an extensive written proposal for ResLife that same day. The only thing we're missing now: STUDENTS WILLING TO LIVE THERE!
In the dead of night, Jai scurries back and forth between Japan House and Lahm Hall, signing up GROUPS (loose cliques, you might say) of people. Thanks to several girls with that popular stipulation, "I'll join the house if so-and-so does," we have a full house roster (14) in under an hour. A week later, we all congregate in the Union Building for our house interview, during which Jai does all the talking while the rest of smile and nod. Luckily, Lynn and Kelly, two of our allies, are on the Approval Board and within days, we hear the good news: WE GOT THE HOUSE!
But of course, nothing in life is THAT easy! Midway through the summer, we all get a somber email from Jai, informing us that we've already lost a house member. It's along the lines of "Krissy will still be on-campus; however, she's decided to spend the year with her sorority sisters." I can just imagine the look on Jai's face when she heard that news: "Motha-fucka!" In fact, for the first few months after Move-In Day, I can't even mention Krissy around Jai without her seething with anger... not because she bailed on us (that's totally forgivable), but because in spite of her summer complaints about a certain housemate, Krissy visits the house SOOO frequently that she might as well live here.
And I cannot even wrap my head around the whole situation. That's because, to me (and several other ALLiES members), this theme house isn't just a place to live but a 24-hour ALLiES Headquarters, complete with a fabulous WAR Room.
I put my name on the house roster that night without giving it a second thought. I didn't know who else was living there or whether I'd have a roommate. It wasn't out of desperation to put a roof over my head next semester... I'm fulfilling my obligation to fight the neverending battle for equality and queer visibility on the Gettysburg College campus. On a side note, I'm also excited 'cause my boyfriend shares my political views and will also be living there... but as you know, that excitement wore off very quickly.
MEET THE
ALLiES HOUSE MEMBERS
ROOM 12
What's great about Travis is that he keeps to himself, doesn't intentionally hurt others, and he isn't grossed out by all my gay dating/sex talk. :D I, on the other hand, am quite a handful to live with, mostly because I'm OCD and demand that the center strip of the room remain immaculate at all times. ...But in my defense, I clean the bathroom better than the janitor and I often bake cookies for the whole household for absolutely no reason.
ACTUAL ALLiES
TEAM DRINKS-A-LOT
As the saying goes, if you wanna increase your alcohol tolerance, then go live in ALLiES House! Seriously, without these guys, the House just wouldn't be the same. Many a night the entire house would squeeze our way into the Common Room and share our love of alcohol, with Jimmy and Shaffy at the helm. I've known them both since they were freshmen, as we were all in the Marching Band together.THE WiLDCARDS
Alex, an avid gamer and the one responsible for getting the entire house HOOKED on Rock Band, was Kyle's first college roommate, but to me, he's still an enigma. At the very first house meeting, I complain about our Lahm neighbors leaving their laundry in the dryers for 5+ hours unattended and with a straight face Alex responds, "Next time, just take a crap on their clothes. That'll show those jerks." Um, Thanks... I'll do that. *shoots Jai a look* Where did you find this guy?
Next up is Chasse, Jai's co-hort, Dr. Udden's go-to Film Studies T.A., and a member of both gBurg TV and the Gettysburgian. Out of nowhere, he's appeared this year and is now a very active ALLiES member. Really, how have I never met these people?!
Although technically I've "known" Lyndsey through the Marching Band for two years, until now I'd never had a one-on-one conversation with her, mostly because she's from the South and thus, I just assumed I wasn't on her Favorite Persons List. But much to my surprise, during a latenight heart-to-heart, she told me about how one of her best guy friends felt that he had to leave Alabama because he couldn't openly express his sexuality. That little tidbit shined a bright light on why she agreed to join ALLiES House. During that same session, Margaret, the quintessential Republican roommate with liberal leanings, revealed that her aunt recently married her longtime companion in California after 20 years of commitment. It's fascinating to see how EVERYONE, gay and straight, has some connection to the GLBTQ community...to me, at least. ;-)
Since this is our first year and we're still getting people in the tent, most of our events are borrowed from ALLiES and with the exception of sidewalk chalking (DAMN YOU, SNOW!) and the controversial and confusing Coming Out Party, they aren't explicitly about educating people about the Gay Rights Movement (Open House, Rainbow Sherbet Social, Rainbow Sock TyeDyeing). As with all things, it will take some time, but I hope the House stays around for years to come and evolves into the epicenter of the gay community, a place where students can find much-needed support.
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