SCREW U!

Notre Dame Nixes LGBT Protections But Might Add A Gay-Straight Alliance—Next Fall

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.

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

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