Students will have the chance to “open up” and speak at tonight’s panel discussion on homophobia and heterosexism at Eastern.

Doug DiBianco, music professor and adviser to EIU Pride, said it is important for students to discuss issues often considered taboo because it allows them to feel more comfortable with themselves and their environment as a result.

The discussion, part of EIU Pride’s observance of LGBT History Month, begins at 8 p.m. in the Effingham Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Dan Koteski, senior history and journalism major and action director of Pride, said LGBT month is a celebration of the contributions LGBT people have made to the world.

It also commemorates the first three gay rights marches in Washington, D.C. All of these marches took place in the month of October.

Koteski said the panel will include members of Pride and possibly other members of the campus community. The panel will review the university’s general acceptance level of LGBT people and, in an effort to be accurate in their examination, Koteski said participants will look at different groups on campus, such as student government and campus media.

He said Eastern couldn’t be categorized simply as a homophobic campus or a pro-LGBT campus because so many groups are involved.

Koteski said homophobia is an “irrational fear of homosexuality or an irrational hatred of people who are homosexuals.” He said this fear can sometimes result in malicious actions.

However, heterosexism is often unintentional. Koteski said a teacher asking students to write down the name of their “mommy and daddy,” or someone who sympathizes with gays because of their “illness” are examples of heterosexism.

“I would say heterosexism builds the closet,” Koteski said. “And homophobia is the lock on the closet. It’s what keeps people from coming out.”

DiBianco said for students who are LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender), opening up about sensitive issues is essential.

“So much of your life is spent hiding who you are and afraid to tell people about your orientation.” DiBianco said. “And so when issues are discussed openly, it’s a great joy.”

DiBianco said he has been a victim of homophobia.

DiBianco was coming out of a gay bar in Champaign one night, and a police officer was standing nearby. The officer told DiBianco to “keep moving, buddy.” DiBianco said he felt harassed and did not know what to do.

“(Being gay is) as much a part of you as being left-handed or being of a certain skin color,” he said. “These are things you are born with and they’re not choices, they’re not preferences, it’s not a lifestyle. It’s just who you are.”

DiBianco said he hopes the discussion tonight will help LGBT students feel more comfortable and aware of the atmosphere at Eastern. He hopes non-LGBT students will walk away more open-minded and compassionate.

“If we don’t talk about issues,” DiBianco said, “we will continue to do these nasty things to each other without really any good reason.”