If your roommate doesn’t share your sexual preference, then living together could pose some problems.

Today, students will address concerns and issues about living with a homosexual roommate. The panel discussion, titled “Don’t Freak Out ’Cause I’m Gay: Living With a Gay Roommate,” will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Stevenson North’s Meeting Room.

The discussion is sponsored by the Residence Hall Association’s sub-committee, Believing In Cultures (BIC) and LGBT Resources.

Margie Cook, coordinator for LGBT Resources, will share tips on how roommates can overcome their differences, as well as how to manage conflicts that may arise.

“We hope that students will get a broader understanding of gay people and see them as individuals and human beings rather than stereotypes,” Cook said.

Both gay and straight NIU students will share some of their experiences with their roommates, and how they have managed, or not managed, to get along.

Many college students are worried about whether they will get along with their roommate. If their roommate is gay, they may feel embarrassed to discuss their roommate’s sexual lifestyle and the issues of having their partners over.

But how would a gay roommate feel if he or she could not express homosexuality without the fear and anxiety of making a heterosexual roommate feel uneasy and uncomfortable?

According to UCLA’s LGBT programs Web site, there is a big difference between “coming out” and “coming on.” Most gay people who come out want to be accepted, not hassled.

Elizabeth Johnson, a junior pre-law major, said as long as a homosexual roommate keeps his or her sexual life private, it would not offend her.

“I don’t want to come in the room and see my roommate kissing somebody of the same sex,” Johnson said. “That would make me want to leave.”

Chris Wingba, a sophomore computer science major, agreed that having a homosexual roommate would be overwhelming in some circumstances.

“It would be really embarrassing and uncomfortable,” Wingba said.

Jawaun Williams, a sophomore computer science major, said being roommates with a homosexual only would make him feel uncomfortable if that person was physically attracted to him.

“I’ll be OK with it, because I feel like, ‘to each his own,’” Williams said. “I would be watchful of his actions, though. I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking around in clothes that would expose some parts of my body, like boxers.”

Anthony Patterson, a sophomore physical education major, agreed that having a homosexual roommate would mean having to adjust one’s attitude and behavior.

“I’m not homophobic at all,” Patterson said. “I would feel uncomfortable to a certain extent, because I don’t know if he’ll be true to himself and decide to not look at me in a sexual way.”

Junior biology major Tiffany Miller said that having a homosexual roommate does not concern her, as long they do not mix their living arrangements and sexual preference in an uncomfortable manner.

“It wouldn’t bother me at all, as long as they don’t involve me with their sexual lifestyle,” Miller said.

Today’s panel discussion is open to all students who want to participate. The event is in accordance with LGBT Awareness Month.