2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Post
Dear Gerry Blakney,
We are writing in response to your February 29, 2008 article "Queerly Yours-University Sponsored Homophobia". It is unfortunate that you misinterpreted the athletic department's policies for traveling and the reasons why these policies are enforced. These policies are not a matter of homophobia as you insist; rather they are a matter of what is necessary for all athletic teams to continue to compete well during competition.
From the perspective of a WOU athlete and a general student at Western Oregon University, we feel that you have encouraged the stereotype that student athletes are self-indulgent and homophobic. The fact is, not all athletes are homophobic, and the university certainly does not "sponsor homophobia". There are many specific reasons as to why the athletic policy allows one person per bed.
You correctly mentioned that it would be difficult for two defensive linemen to share a king size bed. Indeed, linemen can weigh over 320 pounds each. That would make a king size bed a tight fit for the second person no matter what their size is. When we asked Caleb Singleton, a member of the Western Oregon football team, if he shared a bed with another teammate before the Championship Bowl game (that they won, we might add) he responded, "No, of course not. Sleeping with more than one person per bed would make uncomfortable- the beds aren't that big." Notice that his initial reaction to the question was regarding size, not sexuality. The decision to not share a bed does not make football players homophobic, only concerned about a good night's rest before a big game.
As a female athlete here are Western Oregon, I, Kelsie know how important it is to get adequate rest before competition. You said, "I have never laid horribly uncomfortably or scared that another male would disturb my sleep". In my case, I have never been scared that a female would disturb my sleep either. However, sharing a bed with a teammate who is sick, no matter what gender they are, is a dangerous situation. Colds can spread quickly among a team, and sharing a bed with someone who is sick can only increase that risk. Also, sharing the bed with someone who tends to toss and turn all night can keep a light sleeper awake. Thus, sleeping next to another female is the least of my concerns when traveling; it just comes down to getting necessary rest before stepping onto the field and representing my university to the best of my ability.
We are writing in response to your February 29, 2008 article "Queerly Yours-University Sponsored Homophobia". It is unfortunate that you misinterpreted the athletic department's policies for traveling and the reasons why these policies are enforced. These policies are not a matter of homophobia as you insist; rather they are a matter of what is necessary for all athletic teams to continue to compete well during competition.
From the perspective of a WOU athlete and a general student at Western Oregon University, we feel that you have encouraged the stereotype that student athletes are self-indulgent and homophobic. The fact is, not all athletes are homophobic, and the university certainly does not "sponsor homophobia". There are many specific reasons as to why the athletic policy allows one person per bed.
You correctly mentioned that it would be difficult for two defensive linemen to share a king size bed. Indeed, linemen can weigh over 320 pounds each. That would make a king size bed a tight fit for the second person no matter what their size is. When we asked Caleb Singleton, a member of the Western Oregon football team, if he shared a bed with another teammate before the Championship Bowl game (that they won, we might add) he responded, "No, of course not. Sleeping with more than one person per bed would make uncomfortable- the beds aren't that big." Notice that his initial reaction to the question was regarding size, not sexuality. The decision to not share a bed does not make football players homophobic, only concerned about a good night's rest before a big game.
As a female athlete here are Western Oregon, I, Kelsie know how important it is to get adequate rest before competition. You said, "I have never laid horribly uncomfortably or scared that another male would disturb my sleep". In my case, I have never been scared that a female would disturb my sleep either. However, sharing a bed with a teammate who is sick, no matter what gender they are, is a dangerous situation. Colds can spread quickly among a team, and sharing a bed with someone who is sick can only increase that risk. Also, sharing the bed with someone who tends to toss and turn all night can keep a light sleeper awake. Thus, sleeping next to another female is the least of my concerns when traveling; it just comes down to getting necessary rest before stepping onto the field and representing my university to the best of my ability.
Be the first to comment on this story