If you follow certain social media, homophobia appears to be baked into ABAC’s culture. As most ABAC students are aware, Yik Yak, the social media app that allows users to post anonymously to anyone within a five-mile radius, has become a cesspool of bigotry and bullying, most of which has been aimed at LGBTQ+ students.
Nestled in the heart of Southwest Georgia, ABAC has advertised itself as a welcoming refuge for students of all walks of life, characterized by its Southern hospitality and nondescript “southern values.” More truthfully, though, some of ABAC’s most determined and involved students argue that the school’s squeaky-clean reputation is nothing more than a façade.
Cyberbullying on Yik Yak has become a common experience for ABAC sophomore Aileene Bjork-Novascotia, an openly transgender woman. Commonly meowed at and referred to as “cat boy” or “cat ears,” Aileene has been repeatedly harassed online by other students for her gender expression.
To some, the solution might be to simply remove her cat ears and any other article of clothing that would draw attention, but Aileene does not want to sacrifice her individuality to accommodate others’ bigotry.
“It’s not that I’m trying to draw attention… Everybody has a right to freedom of expression,” Aileene said.
On Snapchat, Aileene has also been the victim of unwanted and unsolicited photos. Shared through the ABAC Snapchat stories, Aileene’s photo has been posted without her consent as she has walked across campus. Students in her classes, according to Aileene, have also attempted to photograph her in the classroom as well as posting about her on Yik Yak while in class.
Even worse, Aileene stated that she has been falsely accused of and reported for a crime on campus, resulting in distress and distrust toward ABAC’s police department. Upon request for comment, an officer who responded to the report noted the priority of the safety of students and said of the report that ultimately there was “nothing to it.”
Aileene also said that during her freshman year, her doorknob was covered in a lubricant and her door in tape, along with a note attached telling her to kill herself.
Homophobic ABAC students seemingly do not allow international borders to limit their bigotry: during ABAC’s study abroad trip to France earlier this year, Aileene was the target of transphobia, despite her not being on the trip. A graphic image of a transwoman reportedly circulated among students on the trip.
According to Aileene, students compared her to the photo, making suggestive and harassing comments and asking obscene questions, such as, “Where did you get the money to buy your tits?”
Dr. Jay Webb and Dr. Tom Grant, the faculty advisors on the France trip, said that they were unaware that this occurred; had they known, they said, they would have taken the appropriate action necessary to not only remedy the situation but also to help the offending students understand the harmful nature of their actions.
Dr. Webb added, “I hope students are aware of the CARE team where they can report and gain support regarding incidents, misconduct, or threatening behaviors.” The CARE team (Communication, Awareness, Referral, Education) advocates for student safety and support on campus. (For more information, visit http://www.abac.edu/careteam.)
Aileene is not the only member of ABAC’s LGBTQ+ community who gets harassed online. Recently on Yik Yak, a post was made asking ABAC users, “Is BCM homophobic?” This thread included various homophobic rantings from anonymous students.
BCM is ABAC’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Supposedly a champion for welcomeness and virtue, BCM’s homophobic reputation, according to some students, may be growing.
ABAC junior Lauren, who is also a Christian, alleged that she has faced discrimination from BCM members on campus for being a lesbian. Lauren was reportedly told by members of the ministry that “being gay is wrong” and that gay people are “abominations” who are “going to Hell.”
“They didn’t know that I am gay. And I didn’t want to publicize the fact that I’m gay while I was there because they were saying this stuff to my face,” Lauren said. “I [felt] threatened.”
Hoping a college community would be more accepting, Lauren attended BCM meetings on campus to connect with other Christians. After experiencing homophobia from student members, Lauren decided not to return for her own safety and well-being. When asked if she reported these experiences, Lauren said that she did not think that the harassment would be under ABAC’s jurisdiction since the events took place on a three-day, off-campus retreat.
“I feel like the whole point of being a Christian is to be caring and accepting of everyone, even if they don’t have the same religion as you or they don’t have the same beliefs as you,” Lauren added. “You’re supposed to accept them and be nice to them.”
Representatives for ABAC’s BCM did not respond to requests for comment.
Homophobia at ABAC is not limited to cyberbullying, nor is it exclusively from students. Ash, whose name has been changed for anonymity, revealed that they have heard professors using potentially harmful language regarding the LGBTQ+ community.
Ash, an agender and queer student at ABAC, reportedly experienced gender-based discrimination from their teacher. Wearing a “they/them” pin to show others their preferred pronouns, Ash stated that their teacher not only continuously referred to them as “Miss,” but the teacher also questioned Ash’s decision to legally change their name, which Ash now looks back on as “invasive.”
Jess, a student at ABAC, whose name has been changed for anonymity, is openly bisexual and nonbinary. Jess reported that they have also experienced discrimination from students on campus.
Aside from getting side-eyed and being referred to with feminine terms, Jess said, “I’ve been told that gay people will go to hell, that God will judge us, that we will suffer and face the consequences for existing. It’s a round-about way of saying we make you uncomfortable and you don’t like us but hiding behind religion to say it.”
Each of these events made Aileene, Ash, Jess, and Lauren feel distrustful, fearful, paranoid, threatened, and uncomfortable.
“I can’t trust someone who believes, fundamentally, I’m incorrect for existing,” Jess said.
Despite these incidents occurring on campus or within school-affiliated groups, these experiences have gone unreported, likely because students do not have confidence in the school’s reporting guidelines and procedures.
While Title IX under federal law has protections for gender and sexuality, this fact is conveniently missing from ABAC’s Title IX webpage. “Sex and gender” are listed as being protected under ABAC Title IX, but the webpage makes no specific mention of gender expression or sexuality.
Among the students I interviewed, none of them was aware of Title IX’s protections for LGBTQ+ students. Why has ABAC refused to acknowledge these protections, and why are they missing from the website?
ABAC public relations director Chris Beckham, on behalf of ABAC’s administration, responded, “Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) complies with both the letter and the spirit of the University System of Georgia (USG) Non-Discrimination policy. If a complaint is made, the College’s policy is to thoroughly investigate it and take appropriate action if a violation of policy is substantiated.
“The College has a variety of reporting mechanisms and conducts training sessions with faculty, staff, and students in accordance with the USG policies.
“The ABAC Human Resource office conducts refresher training with all Deans, department heads, and full-time faculty at the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters around USG conduct policies, including Title IX and areas that are federally protected factors from discrimination. That office also reviews these policies during new employee orientation meetings and conducts periodic training with managers and supervisors.
“Also, annual training is conducted with the Office of Residence Life & Housing, including Resident Assistants, all athletic coaches, student-athletes, and trainers, and with all campus fraternities and sororities. During our annual Ethics Awareness Week in November, the College also reinforces our conduct policies with ABAC employees.
“The Student Affairs office sent an email to all ABAC students in August with a list of important resources, all of which can be found at the Dean of Students web site http://www.abac.edu/campus-life/dean-of-students. The resource list includes the complete Student Handbook as well as information on Title IX, Freedom of Expression, the Student Complaint Portal, and the ABAC Communication, Awareness, Referral, Education (CARE) team.”
Fortunately for LGBTQ+ students on campus, there are professors on campus who have reportedly been sources of trust and relief on campus. Dr. Russell Pryor was named as a supportive faculty member for LGBTQ+ students.
“That’s certainly a reputation I’m proud to have,” Dr. Pryor said.
Other trusted professors include Dr. David Rhode and Dr. Ridge Harper, according to the students interviewed. Dr. John Cable, who is still relatively new at ABAC, has already solidified his position as a source of support for LGBTQ+ students. “He’s so supportive,” one student emphasized.
Each of these professors has gone beyond mere tolerance and instead fostered a supportive and inclusive environment for their students.
Aside from faculty support, students can also find refuge in ABAC’s GSA, or Gender-Sexuality Alliance. Jess explained that GSA is a club for both members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, where students are welcome to take pride and comfort in their sexuality and gender.
One of GSA’s officers explained, “Generally, we try to create and maintain an educated LGBT community on campus through social events and educational experiences.” GSA meets every other Monday at 5:30 p.m. in Bowen Hall Room 213. (For more information, contact Alexis Mack, GSA’s president.)
Aileene, Ash, Jess, and Lauren want other LGBTQ+ students to know that they are not alone. Finding support systems on campus is possible, even if it feels like there is bigotry around every corner.
Ash explained the importance of documenting any evidence of homophobia on campus that could aid in a report: “Whatever you do,” Ash advised, “do not engage with or provide a reaction for the people harming you.”
“Don’t be afraid to tell people that what they’re saying is wrong,” Lauren suggested. “And don’t be afraid to be yourself… because you’re going to regret not being yourself later in life. Don’t let other people decide how you live.”
Aileene also shared her advice to students who may be struggling with transphobia on campus: “Don’t change because everyone disapproves of who you are… Everyone has the right to be unique in their own way.”
“We shouldn’t destroy each other because of that,” Aileene continued. “But if somebody does, just know that you’re surrounded by people that care about you and love you, even when you feel as if they’re not there.”
Students should also reach out to the Dean of Students (Dr. Alan Kramer), ABAC police, and/or the ABAC counseling center to report bullying, harassment, and/or misconduct on campus.
Nonetheless, the question remains: Will ABAC institute changes to curb on campus-harassment toward LGBTQ+ students? While ABAC’s administration is supposed to be the moderator for on-campus conflict, the school’s students seem better equipped to handle these issues, if only ABAC administrators would follow LGBTQ+ students’ guidance.
“[Professors] should acknowledge when someone says something that openly targets another one of their students and not just brush it off because they agree with it,” Lauren said. “Students shouldn’t be afraid when they’re in class.”
Ash added that professors should “be more inclusive in their language and not assume that everyone is straight and cisgender. I think it would be very good if on teachers’ ‘get to know me’ handouts that there was an area to disclose pronouns and preferred name.” While some professors have implemented this practice, it is not required, let alone common.
If these allegations are true, ABAC students and professors alike will have to own up to their actions and implement substantial changes. In time, hopefully ABAC will extend its Southern hospitality to all ABAC students, regardless of their gender and sexuality.
