2008 POINT SCHOLARS

Jonathan Doucette

Oberlin College

English

Born into a boisterous, Bostonian Irish-Catholic family, Jonathan grew up in a household filled with family and laughter. He came out as a gay man in his sophomore year of high school to the support of his family, though found opposition from his closest confidant and best friend—his twin brother. His brother, choosing to remain “closeted” throughout his high school career, put Jonathan in the unique situation of having to both reconcile his own sexuality while simultaneously sharing the burden of his brother’s secret. Now in college, the two continue to work on their strained relationship.
 
Heavily involved with the LBGTQ community in high school, Jonathan intended to continue his activism once in college. As a freshman in college he created the “Iris House,” a school sanctioned residential space for LBTQ students and allies. Although a positive step forward, Jonathan found that the campus' intolerant views resisted social change. He spent much of his time at the college feeling isolated and ostracized from his peers, choosing to transfer to Oberlin College in his sophomore year.

Jonathan is currently attending Oberlin College, majoring in English. He looks forward to using his education to obtain a degree in law and become a human rights lawyer, focusing on the rights of those in the LBGTQ community.