0 8B - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, January 6, 2005 it's because i'm gay, isn't it? w i t h Steve Du B o i s M JUST LIKE YOU, ONLY GAY The Michigan I Students seek out best book deals n sum, I have seen seven episodes - of "Sex and the City." Thus, Iam not your typical gay guy. Or am I ... ? Just the other night I had sex with a guy that I don't want a rela- tionship with. That's pretty gay, isn't it? Why are, some things - "Sex and the City," promiscuity, Express for Men, musicals - necessarily homo- sexual? Similarly, why are specific -domains - sports venues, beer pong, rap - strictly heterosexual? Why the distinct, uncrossable sexual ori- entation boundaries? Personally, I'd like to think of myself as not-so-gay. I mean, surely I like the cock. Fine. But in terms of the societally stereo- typed queer, I am not he. So why is it surprising that I, a big homo, would like typically hetero activities? Not to give a genetics lesson, but homosexuality is irrefutably.and sig- nificantly influenced by one's genes. There are many genes in the recipe for homosexuality. Some predispose one to be physically attracted to the same sex, while others predispose one to have traits that are typical of a gay male: effiminism, hypersen- sitivity, and the like. It is entirely possible for one to have genes that predispose him to like boys but not those that predispose him to be a flamer. This explains a couple social conundrums, like the com- pletely masculine, gym-going, beer- guzzling queer and the effeminate, understanding straight guy with a lisp; they have one set of genes in the gay combination, but not the others. So, there is a distinct variety of phenotypes within the gay male population, just as there is within any subset of humans. Why, then, are we being clumped together as though we are the same person ... as though the same fruity manner- isms, interests and fashion sense are inherent in each of us? This is unfair indeed. Within the heterosexual com- munity, there is a given variability between people. He is A, B and C, while he is way different: D, E and F. And him ... wow, he's like X, Y and Z. In the gay community, however, many are simply the same things: G, A and Y. Sometimes we get a little H, O, M and some more O thrown in there, but that's just to support the first set of traits. This is problematic in that this supposed perception of invariability within the gay commu- nity by outsiders has now permeated and infected the community from within. That's right, there's some- thing else spreading among queers, and it's not even contractible via unprotected anal sex. This perception of homosexuals as simplistic and redundant within the gay community is pervasive amongst its members. We homo- sexuals know what is expected of us: Flaunt this, say that, don't show interest in those! And so, we suc- cumb. Capitulate to the desire of the masses. Feed to them that which is expected ... And then the community is left with no ... flair, if you will. That's right, the gay community's flair is threatened by heteros. But not by their hate crimes or slander ... by their implicit, yet imposing, percep- tion of homosexuals as a collective lacking any remnants of individual- ity and uniqueness. And here's the worst part: Any typically homo- sexual behavior that I or any queer demonstrates is perceived by those straight people as validation of their claims. This leaves homosexuals in an unfortunate position: stereotyped and condemned for behaving ... how we're expected to behave. We're spi- raling downward into a rainbow col- ored vortex. This perception of the stereotypi- cal queer and its implications have the potential to undermine each and every one of a homosexual's interac- tions. Perhaps I want to say some- thing to someone who knows I'm gay, but it doesn't sound quite fitting to come out of a gay mouth. Or perhaps I want to express something that, to someone who doesn't know I'm gay, would out me. I may feel apprehen- sive or overeager, depending on the situation. But I certainly would not feel completely at ease ... because, I have expectations to fulfill! So what, am I bitter? A little ... that many of my actions are deter- mined by others' perceptions of me. Yeah, that's a little upsetting. That I have social and physical concerns that a majority of people are impos- ing on me? Uh huh. Maybe I just have a weak per- sonality that is susceptible to the influence of others. Maybe my over- analytical nature isn't conducive to being gay. Maybe I'm embittered by the actions of a few, isolated inci- dents with heterosexuals. But ... I don't think so. I think I'm right. In many ways I am not your typi- cal homosexual, and Joe Hetero has a problem with that ... that I can be both homosexual and an ath- lete, that I can both like buttsex and belch loudly after pounding a beer. Well, I refuse to change my person- ality based on my sexuality. Fifteen months ago my personality traits were not contingent upon my hetero- sexuality; nor are they now contin- gent upon my homosexuality. I, as well as many other homosex- uals, are just not what you expect of us. Nor should we feel sorry. Steve receives constructive criticism quite well and adulation even better. Feelfree to contact him with either. He can be reached at duboiss@umich.edu. By Doug Wernert Daily Arts Writer With the beginning of a new semester comes an expensive and time-consuming process for all stu- dents: purchasing books for their new classes. Ever-changing sched- ules, long lines at bookstores and different return policies can lead to unseen difficulties. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways for students to get the text- books, coursepacks and other mate- rials needed for their classes. There are also many options students have to selling back those books which are no longer needed. Buybacks All stores buy back books dur- ing normal business hours. Students must show their student ID before selling. Determining the amount of money for the books varies. According to their website, the Michigan Union Bookstore uses two criteria. First, they see if the profes- sor plans to use the book again and if supply is less than demand. If that is the case, the store will give up to 50 percent of the selling price. If the pro- fessor is not using the book, the store will give the seller the latest national pricing, which is the price given by the book's manufacturer in which the store can buy the book back. Michigan Book and Supply uses a similar formula. "Students will get the most money back if their teach- ers use the book again, and have their order in, (for) the next term. The sooner they (students) sell their books, the better. Even if a book is not being used for a class, we will buy it. Then it is based on the whole- salers set price," says Daniel Jones, store manager of Michigan Book and Supply. For all bookstores, the policy on buybacks is simple: if the store sells the book, or has sold the book, then the store will buy the book back. However, some students prefer not to sell their books back to the stores where they bought them. "It's not worth it. You have to sell to people," said Engineering sophomore Leif Knag, who has sold his textbooks back MR MINO. :* PETER SCHOTTENFELS/Da Shaman Drum Bookstore, the most prominent independently owned bookstore on campus, offers hundreds of textbooks at the beginning of the semr online to other engineering students. Stores prepare for the new semes- ter by hiring more workers and offering extended hours. Most stores are open until 9 p.m. or later. "When buying your books, try to avoid the 'rush' by coming in early. There will be more people to help you and you will have it out of the way," Jones said."Then, when you get your syllabus make sure you have the correct book. If not, exchange it as soon as possible and show us your syllabus to clear up the mistake." Buying online The high cost of textbooks at book- stores can force. students to look for alternate ways to get their materials. Searching forbooks online has grown in popularity, due to lower prices and the ease of use, as it prevents the long lines that are characteristic of bookstores at the beginning of the semester. "I normally go to the bookstore, but I want to start buying online because it's cheaper," said Knag, who has looked at sites such as www. half.com to purchase his books. "Buying books online is a lot cheaper if you can manage it," LSA junior Jon Shaheen said. "Amazon can save you a lot, especially if used books aren't available. I got six of my books from them this term and ended up saving 40 bucks without having to go the used route. I'd prob- ably get all of my books that way if there was a way to find out what I needed in advance." Another portal to more affordable book buying is www.dogears.net. By registering for free on Dogears, stu- dents are linked to other students at the University who are selling their used textbooks. Searching by title, author, subject or ISBN will send the potential buyer to a list of matches along with the selling price. Students can then inquire about the condition or offer to buy the book. Dogears is offered by the Michi- gan Student Assembly. Popular sites www.half.com and www.amazon.com are not school specific, but offer both new and used books. Again, a search by title, author, or ISBN will lead to many results, classified by book condition. Ann Arbor's online marketplace, www.thediag.com, functions mainly like eBay in that sellers place their items up for auction and the highest bidder by a certain end point receives the book. Registration for the site free and shipping costs can be reduce by simply meeting the person on can pus to complete the transaction. However, the quality of books is concern, as is the inability to return ti texts if they are not needed. Still, fc many students, it is a risk worth taking "The only problem with buy ing books online is having to wa for them to arrive, but if professoi would just publish lists of what w needed in time to order them, every body could get cheaper books," Sha heen said. Bookstores are affected by tli emergence of online buying. "It nc only hurts our business but the stu dent does not have the assurance tho he or she is getting the correct bool Their return policy is also questior able," said Jones. FOOD FOR THOUGHT History Ask yourself: When learning about recent history such as the Vietnam War, can I rely on those who lived it? Are history books, the media, teachers, documen- taries, parents and Food for Thought biased? Should I ac- cept what is taught, or, with an open mind plus the realization that I must pass my final exam, gather from diverse sources and come to my own conclusions? Gary Lillie & Assoc., Realtors www.garyliflie.com ... ........ I PICTURE YOURSELFDOlNG SOMETHING DIFFERENT? DAILY PHOTO IS HIRING* EMAIL PHIOTO@MICHIGANDAILY.COM. Return Policies At the Michigan Union Bookstore, students have until Jan. 12 to. return books bought for the Winter 2005 semester. At Michigan Book and Supply, students have until Jan. 19 to return books. At Shaman Drum Bookshop, students have seven days to return books bought on or after Jan. 5. Books bought for the Winter term during winter break (from Dec. 22 to Jan. 4) must be returned by Jan. 10 to receive the full refund. 9 Ulrich's Bookstore accepts returns for books up until Jan. 19. For all stores, a receipt is needed, textbooks must be returned in the condition they were purchased and course- packs and special orders cannot be taken back.