Studies continue to suggest that gay youths are three to seven times as likely to commit suicide as their straight counterparts because of the heavy burden of society's homophobia. Imagine that you are gay and living in a residence hall. If you're a normal human being, you'd probably feel isolated, marginalized and very uncomfortable in that living situation. I hope we agree that the University has a responsibility to make sure all students feel welcome in the residential facilities it provides despite the consequences to free speech in this environment. Similarly, faculty and staff have a responsibility to be sensitive to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.
All students deserve the opportunity to learn in a welcoming environment.
This is the big burden of our freedom of speech it requires constant vigilance. Freedom of speech does not absolve UNC from its responsibility to students and employees. When homophobic graffiti is found in a residence hall, UNC shouldn't just erase it it should respond forcefully, with sensitivity training and discussion. Words do have effects the freedom of speech is a powerful right. But we must not forget its burden constant vigilance.