Jonathan Jackson | Guest Writer

4/05/02

On Wednesday, April third, Radford University was host to traveling lecturer Skott Freedman. This lecture, sponsored by the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Student Union and the Club Programming Committee, is part of a weeklong focus on gay and lesbian awareness. Freedman is an openly bisexual recording artist who travels the country delivering a two-part in-depth lecture concerning the complexities and phobias faced by the bisexuals from the straight community as well as gay and lesbian communities.

Part one of the lecture began with Freedman delving into the many misconceptions bisexuals must face in gay and lesbian society. Among these were the ideas of "promiscuity," "chosen indecision," as well as the misconception of bisexuality as being a "transition" between heterosexuality and homosexuality. Next Freedman cited statistics on the diversity of sexuality according to the well-known Kinsey scale. Part one finishes with a look into the absence of acceptance of bisexuality as a community, which is highlighted by Skott's own personal experiences as a confused teenager leading to his "second closeting" and subsequent realization of his own bisexuality.

Part two began with Freedman offering ways to better include bisexuality as a valid lifestyle while integrating acceptance into both straight and gay and lesbian communities. These methods focused on avoiding ostracism as well as instigating an open line of education within both communities. The lecture finished with an informal session of question and answer that allowed audience members to better their understanding of "biphobia" as well as bisexuality as a whole, through Freedman's open book approach to both his personal life and beliefs.

Skott is scheduled to be indulging his musical talents Thursday, April fourth, at VT. Information on this performance can be found on VT's website.