Tom Hilton, chairman of the information systems department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, thought it would be an appropriate use of his electronic mail technology to ask Women’s Studies major Crystal Kazik to reconsider the homosexual lifestyle she was trying to promote by hanging up posters announcing Eau Queer Film Festival. “I urge you to reconsider your plan,” he responded to Kazik’s email to a slew of faculty, requesting they hang up a festival poster. “Homosexual behavior damages its participants, their loved ones, and the communities that sanction it.” To be fair, Hilton did sign off the email with, “Your friend,” so that was nice.
“I decry attempts to legitimize (homosexuals’) addictions and compulsions,” Hilton also wrote in the Sept. 24 email. “These, our fellow humans, deserve our best efforts to help them recover their lives. We only hurt them further when we choose to pretend that these walking wounded are OK the way they are, that their present injuries are the best they can hope for in life.”
This week, Hilton was on an apology tour: “I feel really badly about what I said,” says Hilton, adding the email was “very badly” worded.
So will Hilton face any punishment? Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich says that while Hilton’s email “can neither educate nor contribute to dialogue or understanding,” it is an “administrative matter,” and any discipline will be a private matter. Moreover, Levin-Stankevich’s statement reads: “It is not the prerogative or the role of the administration to censor or prevent freedom of expression or to forbid the expression of ideas, however offensive they might be to others. It is our responsibility to address the appropriateness of the time and place of expression and whether the intent or result of the speech inhibits the educational process.”
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.
(Click to enlarge)
L.
I don’t believe there should – can – be limits on free speech, so he’s perfectly entitled to publicly say he finds homosexuality disgusting.
But by the same token, I’m entitled to publicly say he’s a blithering idiot.
Devon
I get the feeling that if this letter were referring to Jews as “the walking wounded” or was talking about black folks’ “addictions and compulsions” the chancellor wouldn’t be going on about censorship and freedom of speech…
tallskin2
Yes, I am with Devon on this.
If that bucket of steaming human sewage had sent the same bullshit to a jewish organisation or to the black equivalent he’d be out on his f*cking ear.
David in Houston
So now homosexuality is an addiction that straight people have? Silly me, I thought it was a lifestyle choice. Actually, I thought it was behavior like stealing. Make up your minds, homophobes! I can’t figure out which line of bullshit I’m suppose to believe.
David in Houston
PS: There is a 95% probability that this guy is a self-loathing closet-case.
WisconsinGay
Queerty, please advise, it is not at the “University of Wisconsin.” There is in fact, no such thing. The institution you are thinking of is the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This is the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (about 3 hours away).
pete
@David in Houston: You are most likely correct. Anyone this amped-up about gays is just frustrated they don’t have the nerve to suck cock
B
Calm down guys – he’s a Mormon bishop who has yet to admit that he has a religion problem, the first step towards recovery. If he gets slapped by the administration, he can claim a violation of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
According to http://people.uwec.edu/hiltonts/index.htm he’s the chair of the Information Systems Department
in the College of Business, University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire, so his experience appears to be in business, not science or engineering.
More telling though, check out http://www.uwec.edu/cnet/past.htm which lists some of his other activities:
April 23, 2009 — Are Mormons Christians?
Tom Hilton, Chair of the Department of Information Systems and bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Eau Claire
Tom spoke generally from the perspective of the book Are Mormons Christians?, by Stephen E. Robinson. He also answered questions regarding:
* The Trinity, the nature of God, etc.
* The Fall, the moral nature of humans, the problem of evil, etc.
* Jesus’ roles as Teacher, Savior, Redeemer, etc.
* Scripture, the Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, etc.
* Revelation, inspiration, etc.
* Millennialism, the future of the world, the Second Coming, etc.
March 12, 2009 — The Case for Faith
Tom Hilton, Chair of the Department of Information Systems and bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Eau Claire
Tom led a discussion of The Case for Faith, by Lee Strobel. Strobel, who turned from atheism to Christianity, wrote the book in the style of his vocation of investigative journalism to reply to what he believes are the eight most serious potential objections to believing in the Christian God:
* Since Evil and Suffering Exist, a Loving God Cannot
* Since Miracles Contradict Science, They Cannot Be True
* Evolution Explains Life, So God Isn’t Needed
* God Isn’t Worthy of Worship if He Kills Innocent Children
* It’s Offensive to Claim Jesus Is the Only Way to God
* A Loving God Would Never Torture People in Hell
* Church History Is Littered with Oppression and Violence
* I Still Have Doubts, So I Can’t Be a Christian
September 18, 2008 — Hymns of Faith
Tom Hilton, Information Systems
A professor of information systems by trade, Tom Hilton has enjoyed sacred music of his own and others’ composition most of his life. In this presentation, Tom shared Mormon hymns as well as spiritual experiences associated with the music that has enriched his Christian faith.
[rest not shown]
Vman455
Hmmm…Hilton writes, “I was sad to see the problems of prejudice and discrimination that my gay friends endured….” And his solution is, they (and us) should stop being gay so we can stop being marginalized? You know what, Hilton? Alcohol contributes to the vehicular deaths of more than 40,000 Americans yearly. Let’s outlaw cars! Given your logic, that’s really the only viable solution. And while we’re at it, let’s also get rid of wheelchairs, because, you know, it’s really annoying building all those handicap-accessible ramps. Let’s just get rid of the NAACP, too, because if you’re being discriminated against based on your skin color, clearly that’s your fault. Oh, and any non-Christian religion–people can be hated for belonging to one of those! We’ll axe the ACLU, too, just to make sure the majority always gets its way.
Still with me, Hilton? Hilton…?
Vman455
@B: That last one is interesting, in light of the fact that the Mormon hymnal is less than half the size of those of other, mainstream Christian denominations. And those few hymns they do share in common with other religions have been radically altered (only one stanza of A Mighty Fortress Is Our God instead of the four printed in Evangelical Lutheran Worship or The Presbyterian Hymnal, for instance).
ewe
Mr. Hilton:
You are FIRED!
Pack your bags and please GET OUT.
ewe
I think people like this need to start really truly identifying with Rick Sanchez.
hcvikky
Being obese is more damaging to the community, participant, and family than is being homosexual
the crustybastard
Another example of our religious “friends” who “tolerate” us so much they simply cannot waste any opportunity to “lovingly” remind us that we’re all hellbound, deranged degenerates.
Of course these same people are particularly enchanted about the fact their “god” arranged to have his own son brutally murdered; and they enthusiastically participate in ritual cannibalism sessions whereby they “eat” and “drink” the murdered son’s flesh and blood.
It isn’t surprising this creepy religious business seems to attract a rather unwholesome lot.
AdonisOfFire
LOL @
“Homosexual behavior damages its participants, their loved ones, and the communities that sanction it.”
If “gay behavior” damages your loved ones, then your loved ones are a bunch of homophobic assholes and it’s not your responsability to live to please their ignorant stupid bitch asses. And if your gay behavior damages the community that sanctions it then the community should change and show tolerance and love instead of closed-minded assholeism.
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Nightstalker
Ha! It’s the italics on “are people” that really sways me. Impromptu, covert gang-bang skullfuck session with carb-faced prof as centerpiece currently in the works. After the thirteen money-shots to his face, we’ll pour liquid LSD in his eyes. You might think thirteen money-shots is extreme, but consider this: If we don’t shove our lifestyles down his throat, how the fuck are we supposed to cum in his mouth?
Developing.
Sug Night
Devon is right on. I say fire the doughy faced bitch.
Kent Peterson
@L.: The only walking wounded will be this mother fucker Mormon asshat when the gay community is finished with him and his job.
Another one of those ridiculous Mormons trying to take both sides of the issue, by saying his “friends” who were gay BLECH!!!
I was raised Mormon – and they have to be some of the most lame-brained idiots on the planet. To believe what they believe requires suspending all rational thought.
Down with the Mormon church!
Vman455
@Sug Night: That will likely be hard. If he’s a department chair, he’s almost certainly tenured.
wompman
“I decry attempts to legitimize (homosexuals’) addictions and compulsions” says the “man” who looks like a rotund lesbian gym teacher.
And I think in this case the correct response to “your friend” is a simple “go fuck yourself.”
Sug Night
V, you’re probably right. In this case, education system/tenure gone wrong.