People often say, “Children are the future.”

Today, college students are finally reaching that point where they can influence society. These years are a pivotal time for young people to embrace diversity and adopt tolerant attitudes, especially regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

More young Americans currently support same-sex marriage than older Americans, according to a Gallup poll published last May.

But recent actions of college students, organizations and faculty in the past month have proven that college campuses are not always environments of acceptance. This is troubling to think about when hoping for LGBT progress.

In late October, several Creighton University students objected to the school’s ticket giveaway for a nearby Macklemore and Ryan Lewis concert. Two sophomores wrote a letter to the campus newspaper, arguing that the school had an obligation to oppose the promotion because supporting the duo’s songs is in “direct opposition with Catholic social teaching and Creighton’s stated values.”

After a brief delay, the university eventually made the right decision and continued to give away tickets for the concert.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are well known for their support of LGBT rights, especially with their hit song “Same Love.” Earlier this year, Macklemore offered support to a college student who was kicked out of Grace University, another religious institution in Omaha, Neb., due to her sexual orientation.

Both artists are among the few who promote LGBT rights through their music. This should be praised, not dismissed — and it is noteworthy that University Union is bringing the duo and their positive message to Syracuse University on Monday.

It is even more worrisome when bias against LGBT people is upheld by student organizations.

Last week, Morgan State University opened an investigation after the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity rejected an interested student because he was gay. The student, Brian Stewart, saw a series of messages exchanged between members of the fraternity regarding his application, using anti-gay slurs.

MSU, like most other universities, does not tolerate any form of discrimination, according to the school’s policy. This practice must be taken seriously when referring to LGBT students.

Employees at colleges have also perpetuated discrimination, creating unwelcoming settings.

Two weeks ago, a librarian at Florida Atlantic University refused to loan a gay male student a laptop because she thought he looked too feminine. After checking his campus-issued ID, the librarian said, “You sound, look and act like a girl and in this ID is a man. Therefore, I’m not giving you a laptop.”

The student, Abdul Asquith, was wearing an FAU hoodie and shorts and had his long hair pulled back.

After going through three different librarians, Asquith finally got the laptop he needed. He told the press it came at an irreparable cost: The situation left him appalled, distraught and embarrassed.

Such instances are unacceptable. Students, faculty and organizations must bear in mind that young people have the power to take our country into a new era of LGBT acceptance. Progress should be exhibited at colleges and universities.

Generation Y is in the process of graduating college, entering the workforce and raising families. Millennials will someday be a major influence within our country’s institutions. The values they instill in their families, too, will affect the United States’ future.

The Gallup poll predicted that 20 years from now, older Americans will be more supportive than the current older generation. But if students leave college with the same homophobia that has forever plagued our nation, this change might not come as expected.

Today’s youth are supposed to be a catalyst for positive change — it’s time all campuses reflected that.

Laura Cohen is a junior magazine journalism and women’s and gender studies major. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at [email protected].

Published on November 6, 2013 at 1:41 am