With the close of October's Gay History month, 21 years after Matthew Shepard, and 9 years after Tyler Clementi. There was another anniversary this month.
There was a never before told story that I am working on as a potential Novel and Movie Script based on an incident involving a fellow Native Portlander who had a dream to be the first in his family to get a college degree.
According to my Friend, Matt as well as school documents, tells that in the Fall of 1992, Matt finally arrived at Northeastern University in Boston, MA to study communications. Problems fitting in were immediate and after changing dorms 3 times, he settled into a single room at Light Hall. Matt liked Light Hall because it was drug and alcohol free and that meant no distractions or Drama.
Matt had trouble fitting in, because 1) He came from Middle-class family from Oregon, 2) He was registered as a Republican (known as Libertarian today) but supported Clinton, 3) He was 22, older than most freshman and 4) He was an Open Bi-Sexual with a boyfriend and a Girlfriend back home in Portland. The Democratic, conservative, Old values, hard drinking way of Boston was clearly the wrong place.
It came all crashing down during the long Columbus day weekend in 1992, when Matt encountered 18 yr old, Antonio (From Miami) in the Hallway at the dorm and learned he and his friends (New England Bred) were heading to a Frat Party. Matt stayed in his room until heard Antonio returned, Intoxicated and locked out.
Matt offered his room and led the 18 yr old back to his room and wanted to know what led to his getting wasted that night. It turned they were both worried about their Girlfriends and they bonded comforted each other. Someone knocked on the door and it was Joey, someone who lived on our floor. Antonio was asked if he wanted to leave, he nodded with a sign of 'NO'. For the next several hours it got intimate with Antonio as the aggressor.
In the morning, Antonio woke up satisfied, but embarrassed. A few days after on October 14, 1992, Matt woke up with bruises and teeth marks on his neck and realized it was from Antonio rubbing his teeth all over his Neck and Body. With some personal experience with Latin men, I know the culture are notorious for using teeth during passionate sex.
This was more than a one night encounter, this was the perfect setup for public humiliation OUTING with Matt and his Life would never be the same.
Matt received Notice to come to the Dean's office. Matt was being accused of Sexual Assault!
Just the Idea that someone so Vile could accuse Matt of such a Violent act made him Physically Ill, or was it the fact he came down with Strep Throat to top it all off.
Even though the charge was Sexual assault it was all about that according to the University's Code of Conduct, Being Intoxicated, Antonio was unable to give consent to sex. According to Matt, Antonio was the aggressor and knew what was happening. University Police took both statements as Matt counter charge with Physical Assault with emphasis on his bruised body. UP took photos to prove this.
For 2 grueling weeks, Matt prepared to go before the University Court by contacting his Faculty adviser to find out what was needed. Matt chose the Dean of the Disability Center and needed that extra help with his learning disability. Matt Told his Boyfriend, Girlfriend, Close friends, Family and all thought it was outrageous. However, No one came out to support him. He contacted Affirmative Action, the Gay-Straight Alliance, the ACLU and no one wanted to give direction. To make it worse, Matt's christian cousin told him that God was punishing him for his Lustful thoughts, and was later rejected by a Priest's confessional for not being Catholic.
On October 26, 1992, The Court comprised of students and Faculty, listened to Antonio testify that he was taking Meds for his strep throat (sound familiar) and the Booze caused him to pass out. Matt claimed no crime was committed and had a witness to back it up, Joey. Joey turned out to be Antonio's witness and the man who encouraged Antonio to file the complaint. The University Police officer had the photos of Matt's Bruised body, but it was never admitted. The Advisor who was supposed to support Matt, claimed she was double Booked and had a meeting to get to. Matt was ALONE in a strange city with no family or friends who showed up and believed the severity of the problem was Baseless. Everyone was wrong while Matt was expelled overwhelming.
As a Communications Major, Matt needed to get the truth out and contacted the student Paper, 'Northeastern News'. The 3rd party article was fair and accurate and it only proved that this was uncharted territory and the Male to Male Sexual Assault had never been reported before. Both stories was He said-He Said scenario. Also interesting is that it appeared on the front page, next to a picture and coverage of a visit by Sen. Ted Kennedy.
The article got the attention of the ASB President and Law student, who was handling the appeal and if this was a court of law than it would have not gotten this far.
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| The Infamous Light Hall |
Suddenly the appeal was rejected on November 4, 1992 and Matt was forcibly ordered to leave Light Hall. The dorm was having a meeting to discuss the issue, Matt was ordered to stay away and not to defend himself. Antonio got a slap on the wrist for underage drinking. The fact that he was not white also saved him, based on the Affirmative Action codes. Sexual Orientation nor Disability was not covered at the time. Just the cost of the wasted Semester was a burden to his family and his family never forgot that.
Matt spent a week in a dorm on the way end of campus and then contacted a GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Defense) attorney, and contacted the Boston Globe. Without a Public Record, like criminal charges or lawsuit filed. A Public story could not be told. The attorney would not go up against a large private University without a retainer. With the plan to head back to Portland, filing a lawsuit would be super expensive.
When Matt got back to Portland, after his Boyfriend dumped him, Matt dumped his girlfriend and after a Period, Finally Came Out as a Proud Gay Democrat. You would think that Matt would have thoughts of suicide, No he just moved forward.
Antonio was a victim too, his friends made a fool out of him as well. Now I have Noticed, could this happen Post-Rutgers or Penn State?
UPDATE: After years of struggle, Matt is successful in Communications (Without a College Degree). The Tyler Clementi story really related with Matt. There is more to the story, and all will be revealed in the Book. STAY TUNED!
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