John in Cebu and Baguio
What have you done in your life that had any significance?
That question has stayed with me for fifty years.
In early January 1975, at the age of 21, I transferred to Florida State University after graduating from Pensacola Junior College. What happened next occurred within my first few weeks on campus. I attended my first meeting of the People’s Coalition for Gay Rights (PCGR), the official gay rights organization at FSU. I quickly noticed that no one was really leading the group. The previous leader had graduated, and no one wanted to step up and become so visible. Many members were still not fully out of the closet. I introduced myself and simply said I would be happy to take over. Just like that, I became the leader.
The People’s Coalition for Gay Rights had been officially recognized by Florida State University in 1969 — the same year as the Stonewall Riots in New York City. Decades later, when Google searches became possible, I discovered something surprising: even the two most liberal universities at the time — the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin-Madison — did not have recognized LGBTQ+ student organizations until several years after FSU. FSU was ahead of its time in this regard. I also started attending the Gay Rap Group, a safe space on campus where LGBTQ students could meet and talk openly.
The Court Case That Changed Everything
A few days after I took over, an older student handed me a copy of a very recent court decision: Gay Students Organization of the University of New Hampshire v. Bonner (First Circuit, December 30, 1974). The key paragraph that jumped out at me read:
“Absent the attendance of well-defined circumstances, a university must recognize any bona fide student organization and grant to that organization the rights and privileges which normally flow from such recognition… Moreover, although a university may reasonably regulate the activities of student organizations, once it grants a particular privilege to one or more organizations, the Fourteenth Amendment requires that that privilege be available to all organizations on an equal basis.”
This meant that if the university allowed other student groups to hold social functions, it had to allow our group the same rights. In the United States, a Circuit Court decision applies across all states unless overturned by the Supreme Court. This ruling gave me the legal foundation I needed.
I decided our group was going to hold a same-sex dance — and it would take place in the largest ballroom on campus. There was some initial pushback from the university administration. I mentioned that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was prepared to get involved if necessary. In the end, the university allowed the event.This dance was very likely the first (and possibly only) same-sex dance held on a major U.S. university campus at that time.
March for Equal Rights
Around the same time, I led our group in a march through the state capitol in Tallahassee in support of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. After the march, I stood on the front lawn of the Florida governor’s mansion talking with actor Alan Alda, who was a grand marshal of the march (along with Marlo Thomas). He commented on how nice Tallahassee looked and how fascinated he was by all the Spanish moss on the trees.
The Book
A friend who had written several books encouraged me to turn the story into a book so this piece of history would not be lost. I worked with a publisher, and the book was released. You can still see the book cover and my old student ID photo (taken about a week before these events) on this site. Unfortunately, the book also brought backlash. Some friends and even family members accused me of lying. They couldn’t believe that a shy, reserved young man could have done these things. But when a person sees injustice, it is possible to rise above your natural personality. The negativity and toxic comments contributed to the stress that eventually led me to leave the United States in 2019 for a fresh start in the Philippines. I later had the book removed from Kindle.
Looking Back – No Regrets, No Need for Recognition
People have sometimes asked: “You must have been the big man on campus for LGBTQ+ students at FSU, right?”Actually, no. I never sought attention or recognition. I simply wanted to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ students in whatever way I could.
I’ve always preferred working behind the scenes. I have never considered anyone superior to me — whether a politician, executive, or billionaire — nor have I considered myself superior to anyone else. Equality applies everywhere.
Final Thoughts – 50 Years Later
1975 was fifty years ago. I created a safe space where a few hundred students could experience something that wasn’t possible at the time. I’ve often wondered how the people who made those cruel comments would answer the same question I started with:
What have you done in your life that had any significance? I did what I could, quietly and without seeking the spotlight.
And I have no regrets.