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 Resident advisor and staff member at the Women’s Center, Kory Larabee, found threats written on his message board at his dorm room on Sept. 29. Jake Barber/Argonaut
It was a little before 9 a.m. on Sept. 29 when sophomore Kory Larabee went to his dorm room and found the words, “Faggot. F---ing kill you,” scrawled across his message board.
“I came out when I was 15,” Larabee said. “This is the first time I’ve ever been truly afraid. I don’t feel safe walking out at night … it’s violating.”
An international studies major and resident adviser for Wallace Residence Center, this was not the first time Larabee has been harassed at the University of Idaho. As a freshman he said he endured a similar situation, although in that instance the perpetrator didn’t leave a threat behind, so he chose not to tell anyone.
“It’s so easy to get stuck in a stereotype,” he said. “It bothered me, but I just told myself to move past it. I know I’m not the only one who’s ever made that decision.”
Larabee said he was embarrassed when he first saw the message and reported the incident to his supervisors, who called the Moscow Police Department. It is currently unknown who left the message — but the action qualifies as a hate crime, which is a felony.
In response to the incident, University Housing put cameras in the surrounding hallway. Dee Dee Kanikkeberg, associate director of university residences, said the cameras would only be placed in public areas in response to the “appalling” incident.
“It’s deeply concerning that someone has been threatening within our community,” Kanikkeberg said. “We work hard to create a safe environment, and we are going to protect it.”
In addition to working as an RA, Larabee works as a staff member in the Women’s Center. Rebecca Rod, GLBT program adviser, said after working with Larabee for the past two years, she was particularly hurt when she heard what happened to him.
“I’ve seen him come in and help so many people who are in this critical stage in life,” Rod said. “The idea that someone would intentionally try to hurt or threaten him … it’s horrible.”
Rod said it takes a great deal of courage to be an open homosexual, particularly in Idaho. She said this makes Larabee an even stronger example, because he is an example to any member of the campus still hiding who they are.
“He really is an example of strength and endurance for this campus,” Rod said. “What really encourages me is the fact that he won’t take this lying down.”
In response to the message, Larabee put a sign on his door taunting the perpetrator by listing the previous insults and inviting more. Instead, people responded with comments of compassion and pride.
“Everyone has been so supportive,” Larabee said. “It’s nice to know I’m not alone in this … my hall is really supportive.”
He said he is upset that whoever vandalized his property acted in such close proximity to National Coming Out Day and the week the Women’s Center has planned in observance.
“In some ways it’s sorta poignant,” Larabee said. “I think people forget that this level of hate and ignorance still exists in the world and maybe reminders like this will keep them aware … this is a high-risk time for people.”
Rod said that celebrations of alternative lifestyles are traditionally met with resistance and even “allies” can find themselves quieted because they fear being ostracized. She said now is the time for people to “stand and let their voice be heard.”
Larabee said rather than let this experience deter him, he believes it will help him in his work.
“If this ever happened to anyone who came to me, I would tell them to make as much noise as possible,” he said. “A lot goes unnoticed because people are too afraid to talk about it. If we want to stop it, we have to have a voice.”
Next semester Larabee will study abroad in Quebec. He said he is looking forward to living in a culture that’s more sympathetic and accepting of homosexual lifestyles.
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