<p>But what do you consider it when a gay person talks about having a same-sex partner?</p>
<p>I had not previously noted Amber’s excellent post. It’s not a matter of “going there”; it’s more accurately a matter of discussing where you already are. Which is what I do all the time, Riprorin, when as a straight man I talk about my wife and kids.</p>
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<p>What do I consider it? To each his own.</p>
<p>Then what is this “flaunting” that you were objecting to?</p>
<p>I would say the type of talk/behavior you might experience in a lockeroom, a frat party, or watching MTV. I’m just not keen about people who are flamboyant about their sexuality whatever their preference is. </p>
<p>Where are we going with this? The student has already said that he is going to choose a different topic.</p>
<p>But the original poster never proposed to write a college application that was full of locker room talk. You suggested that a formally written essay on being out and gay was inappropriate. That just doesn’t square with your current definition of “flaunting one’s sexuality.”</p>
<p>I think your objection to the topic boils down to a belief that gay people shouldn’t be publicly gay, even though it’s okay for straight people to be publicly straight. If there’s a reason why that’s not a double standard–and and unfair one at that-- I can’t see it. Maybe you can explain to me why it’s all right to take that position.</p>
<p>I see that you have an agenda to push and you want to put words in my mouth based on some stereotype rather than listening to what I have to say.</p>
<p>This discussion had ceased to be useful.</p>
<p>I do have an agenda: I think that society should treat gay people the same as it treats straight people. I think that’s a good agenda, and a fair one, and it isn’t happening yet.</p>
<p>I have been trying really hard, however, not to put words in your mouth. That’s why I invited you to explain why the only inference I have managed to draw about the position underlying your arguments is not correct. I guess you prefer not to do that.</p>
<p>Pause for another opinion.</p>
<p>Many kids think the personal statement is an open-ended chance to speak about whatever is important to them. There have been discussions on CC about my little brother, my rebellion, my favorite place, my atheism and more. In fact, what you need to do is show the strengths and attributes adcoms seek for their freshman class. That’s not so much the “I am-” or the tale of the challenges. </p>
<p>You can use the gay topic- probably won’t blow anyone’s minds. But the success comes from using the starting point to show the qualities the U likes. Perhaps, in this case, it is open-mindedness, how you bring people together, how your own process made you determined to assist others, in some way-- ie, more than the “identity” and how important it is to you. Again, show, not tell.</p>
<p>Well said.</p>
<p>I believe that everyone should be treated fairly too.</p>
<p>I still think writing an essay about being gay is a bad idea and the OP agreed with me.</p>
<p>I am surprised to hear that the OP agrees. The OP has not returned to this thread–or, at least, has not posted again–since his or her initial query.</p>
<p>Maybe I confused this thread with one of the many other threads on this topic.</p>
<p>I don’t understand how writing an essay about being gay is inappropriate for a college essay? I think it’s similar to writing about being an atheist in a predominantly religious area/social group, or a minority who has faced diversity, or something of that nature; people write about that very frequently. I personally think it’s a perfectly acceptable essay topic. </p>
<p>However, OP, you do run the risk of having an adcom who is socially conservative on this issue, which would obviously be unfortunate for your admissions chances. Ultimately, this is up to you.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the feedback everyone! I’m going to plan it out and see if I can make it work and put my personality into it. If not, I’ll scrap it and keep digging. Thanks! </p>
<p>As for riprorin, I appreciate your opinion, but I do not appreciate being referred to as “flamboyant” about my sexuality simply because I find it a compelling topic and vehicle to reflect other facets of me, facets that far outweigh who I’m attracted to. Sexuality is a big part of anyone’s life, but I made it clear that I do not define myself by it. I also don’t define a college essay as “show me what you do for others” rather than “show me how you grew as a person”. Both are perfectly viable options if executed right. I can’t shake the idea that there’s a certain level of homophobia hiding behind your patronizing posts.</p>
<p>Being gay can be a big part of who you are… And its a big part of everyone who is gay’s lives. Your essay will be an essay every admissions officer has read over and over. Good luck.</p>
<p>OP, I thought that you came him for an honest opinion. Since that doesn’t seem to be the case and it seems you already made up your mind before you made the post and were just looking for confirmation, I say by all means write an essay about being gay. In spite of the slander, good luck to you!</p>
<p>On the other hand, riprorin…</p>
<p>Please believe that I am really not trying to pick a fight, and really not trying to tell you what you’re truly thinking or feeling, when I say what’s coming. The way you’ve expressed yourself in this thread has made not just me or the OP, but also several other posters besides, draw the inference that on a basic level you have a problem with homosexuality or gay people or both. If that is not an impression that you want to convey, maybe you will want to consider how you could express yourself differently to create a different impression in readers and listeners.</p>
<p>As for getting an honest opinion, the OP has gotten several of them, and they weren’t all alike. In fact, I can’t recall anybody else in this thread seconding your advice, and the OP has just decided not to take it. I know I hate it when I put a lot of effort into giving my opinion and then it isn’t adopted, but that’s all that happened in this thread.</p>
<p>How does one assume OP’s mind is made up? Sounds to me like OP is still thinking and open.</p>
<p>Sikorsky, I think I’ve made two points here: writing an essay about your sexuality is a bad idea and people’s sexual preferences are their own business. I offered an opinion to the OP and he can do what he wants with it. It won’t impact me one way or the other.</p>
<p>What are you digging for by keeping this going?</p>
<p>Sorry to gravedig, but I just wsnted to make a point (more aimed at riprorin).</p>
<p>I think that college essays should be about something that GENUINELY changed and affected you. Being gay alone does not warrant that, as the simple fact of being gay is equal to that of being straight. HOWEVER, we cannot ignore the fact that gays ARE treated much differently than straight people in American society. To ignore this fact is to be completely and utterly ignorant. I can’t kiss my boyfriend in public without looking around and literally see everyone looking over, whispering. So, if OP decides that his homosexuality has changed him in the sense that he has lost friends, lost family, had to come to terms with himself, got kicked out of the house, etc, and it genuinely changed him, then I think its fair to write about. Because lets be honest, no one gets kicked out of their house, or ridiculed, or loses friends/family for being straight. No one.</p>