Moving at the glacial pace typical of Catholic institutions, the University of Notre Dame has said it will wait until the fall to make a decision about whether or not to official recognize—and give student fees to—a gay-straight alliance.A school spokesperson was lightning-quick, however, in announcing that Notre Dame would not add sexual orientation to the school’s non-discrimination policy.
“I think that it is very encouraging that the decision on official recognition will be a component of a broader review of the structures and services in place for the LGBTQ community and allies,” sophomore Alex Coccia told the South Bend Tribune.
Um, what’s Latin for “apologist”?
Despite resolutions from both the student and faculty senates encouraging the school to broaden protections to include LGBTs, administrators—including Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins—said “nuh-uh” on Tuesday.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
By the way, the city of South Bend, Indiana, does include orientation in its non-discrimination policies. So one of the best-known schools in the nation is a step behind the town it resides in. (And Notre Dame is the city’s top employer.)
Ironically, in 1997 Notre Dame adopted a “statement of inclusion” that claimed in part:
“We welcome all people, regardless of color, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class, and nationality . . . precisely because of Christ’s calling to treat others as we desire to be treated. We value gay and lesbian members of this community as we value all members of this community.
Sorry, Charlie: if we can be fired for no other reason than who we sleep with, then we’re not really valued.
So, in the end, gay students and faculty have no protections at Notre Dame—but there’s always the chance they might be able to get together and complain about it!
Let us pray.
Photo: Michael Fernandes
newportxwhore
Good for them !! Gsa is a good thing to have in schools
Danny
As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. And remember students, religious leaders should not be touching your private parts claiming it is god’s will. Report them if they do it. Has restitution ever been paid to the descendents of the survivors and victims of the Inquisition? I think some RC property should be sold off to pay them compensation for the murder and/or torture of their family members.
Johnny
I went to ND for undergrad. Its certainly not a welcoming place for anyone struggling with their sexuality, but if they finally do allow a GSA it would be a huge step (Campus organizations have been trying to make this happen since the 90s).
This is a huge point of contention on campus nearly every year and is debated regularly in in the school newspaper. ND is consistently ranked in the top 10 schools for “alternative lifestyles not an option” by the Princeton Review, and this doesn’t sit well with some students (although some think its a badge of honor for the school).
Most opponents argue that allowing a GSA is equivalent to advocating gay sex, which isn’t the case, I hope this finally happens.
JAW
@OP… Actually The University is not in South Bend… it is just outside the city in Clay and Portage Townships.
Another school run by the same priests (Holy Cross) in Wilkes-Barre Pa has a group for GLBT students… That is King’s College… so perhaps there is hope for ND
cam
Yes, we’ll get rid of any ACTUAL things for gays, but hey! It’s ok, we aren’t bigots because we might…MIGHT talk about one day allowing a group where you may be able to talk about things.
The interesting thing is, these institutions were becoming more gay friendly. The question is, why the suddeen all out attack on gays now?
My guess is, if being gay becomes completely normalized, the last pipeline that the church had to get people to become priests goes away. Previously becing a priest was an easy way to explain why you weren’t married or chasing girls. IF that goes away they will have to have a VERY big disscussion on whether or not to start allowing priests to marry.
Spike
Why would any gay want to go to a christian taliban university?
Danny
Well at least AllianceND is fighting the good fight (took 500 years to get the RC to acknowledge the Earth goes around the Sun – oh Galileo you poor bastard, what a life of utter frustration you must have lived, surrounded by willful ignorance and the intellectual corruption of authority figures). For those that want to join, their group is at http://www.facebook.com/groups/2200136956/
Richard
Someone should remind Notre Dame that the role of a university is to enlighten, educate, and be inclusive of diversity so ALL students can develop a sense of self while becoming educated. Poor statement for Notre Dame. No wonder they suck! Thank goodness for USC where diversity and progressiveness are valued.
HM
Meanwhile the star football quarterback gets felony busted for FIGHTING WITH COPS.
(sigh)…… but as long as the wrinkled old white men have their proper villans.
J Stratford
“Catholic University” is an oxymoron.
That’s why Georgetown University, the best Catholic university in the US no longer calls itself that. To be a university, you can not discriminate.
Luke
Hahaha. No kidding, it’s funny how differently Georgetown and Notre Dame have evolved on these issues. I guess you can thank Georgetown’s more progressive Jesuits (they are jesuit, right?)? Regardless, after living in NYC I’ve come to realize Georgetown has to be one of the gayest schools out there. I swear every hot gay guy I come across went to Georgetown.