Gay Rights on Campus

Patty Kean

To the Editor

Thanks so much for addressing the issue of higher education and homosexuality coming together and “out” in Catholic institutions in the January–February issue (see the article by Bernard Olszewski). Two of my children attend Catholic schools: Emmanuel College in Boston and St. Bonaventure in New  York State. Emmanuel College just approved (12 to 5 by secret ballot) the first gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender student club on campus. Congratulations are due to the student organizers and supporting faculty and senior staff. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender college students face much discrimination on all college campuses and within college neighborhoods. My son and his friends report that the bullying seems to have increased as church-and-state rhetoric increased against the civil rights and spiritual desires of homosexual couples around the issue of marriage.

Research in different disciplines about prejudice overlaps and indicates that education and face-to-face conversations reduce prejudice and increase empathy. As diverse groups of people come together in postsecondary learning communities, we must—in the classroom and on campus—intentionally address the violence of homophobic cultural assumptions and social  discrimination, especially those sanctioned by traditional institutions, such as the Catholic Church. Understandably, this places an additional burden on Catholic postsecondary institutions. I hope that many will take up the call of Jesus to love one another and follow the courageous moral example of Emmanuel College.

Patty Kean
Educational Therapist and Co-Chair, Diversity Committee
Curry College

 Printer-Friendly Page