An online petition currently circulating hopes that will reconsider the decision to not allow a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) student-run organization on campus.
DeSales alumnus Tim Gallagher posted a petition on Change.org early Monday in response to repeated denials by university officials to allow an LGBT student group to form on campus. The story first broke on local blog Lehigh Valley with Love.
The petition reads:
Each student at DeSales University is told repeatedly to "be who you are and be that well" per the direction of St. Francis de Sales. This is a wonderful motto but currently excludes LGBT students and alumni. The university has repeatedly denied requests to allow a Gay Straight Alliance on campus and has even turned down an application for a PRIDE DSU club which sought to celebrate diversity on campus. Meanwhile, 16 Catholic Colleges in Pennsylvania have officially recognized pro-homosexual clubs, LGBTQ Resource Centers, or student organizations according to a recent poll.
IT IS TIME that we stand up for our fellow bulldogs and allow each person to live out the Salesian motto and "Be who you are and be that well" without threat of persecution or harassment.
The lack of an LGBT organization sends a message to prospective students, says Equality PA president (and Lehigh Valley resident) Adrian Shanker. "Having a student-run [LGBT] organization on campus is certainly an indicator as to whether the campus will be an affirming and welcoming place for students," said Shanker. "It's certainly not a surprise that the campus lacks a student group, but it does send a signal to those considering the college."
DeSales also lacks a sexual orientation clause in its non-discrimination policy.
Other colleges in the Lehigh Valley --, , and -- all have student-run LGBT organizations, as well as non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation. Kutztown University and also have LGBT groups on campus and non-discrimination clauses. has a non-discrimination clause.
"It sends the message that 'we don't want LGBT students here,'" said Shanker. "DeSales may have to right to, and may be legally allowed to discriminate, but why would they want to?"
DeSales publications department spokeswoman Laura Zielinski told Patch that no one was available to comment at this time. Gallagher, who was honored his senior year with the McShea Leadership Award, "I Love DeSales, it's an amazing university with fabulous faculty, staff, and students," said Gallagher. "But it's time for DeSales to live up to it's motto and help students thrive."
Patch will have more from this interview in
What do you think? Tell us in the comments!
Wonderful. Show me where it says that in the constitution. Alternatively, show me where Jesus said, "Go forth and discriminate."
The Chick Fil A thing is similar to me - people saying how all the CEO is doing is stating his opinion, which he has a right to. Sure, he has a right to his opinion, but the issue goes far beyond that - they are contributing millions of dollars to anti-gay rights groups. Obviously, that is much more than an opinion at that point. Not exactly on topic, but I felt it was a good parallel to draw.
From Leviticus: “‘Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. 45 You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. 46 You can bequeath them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly.
I attend Saint Joes and we openly accept everyone for being who they are. Ultimately people are afraid of what they don't know. Well whether or not it's a movement that is continually progressing. I don't understand how allowing these people to be themselves and be happy, how that will affect your life.
Also,alot or most of what is written in the Old Testament, such as Leviticus, is countermanded by the New Testament and as Christians today we are not to follow it.
It's a complicated issue. Our collective views have been evolving on homosexuality as they have with issues related to race and nationality. More and more, hearts are opening to one another in understanding and in love. The day will come for all of us when we understand ourselves and one another more clearly and completely than we do today. Compassion and cooperation will increase. You, as I, will come to find that our faith in ourselves, one another, and the almighty force that binds the whole universe together will increase in strength and magnitude. There will be much gratefulness for the journey and struggles we are undertaking to become better, stronger, more loving versions of ourselves.
1st Timothy: 8 Now we know that rthe law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the slaw is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,2 liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to tsound3 doctrine, 11 in accordance with uthe gospel of the glory of vthe blessed God wwith which I have been entrusted. The bible also states the following: "To hate the sin and not the sinner." If you believe that homosexuality is wrong then shouldn't you embrace the person as a person. I agree that DeSales has the right to deny any club which conflicts with it view points. It is that simple, whether I liked it or not. As an Alumni there were things that I accepted as a part of going to college there.
Interestingly Fr. John F. Harvey, O.S.F.S the founder of Courage, a Catholic organization the ministers to people with same sex attractions, lived and taught at DeSales. He also authored several books on homosexuality. If you wish to understand the church's teach I suggest you read his book “Homosexuality and the Catholic Church, Clear Answers to Difficult Questions”. This book was published in 2007 shortly before Fr. Harvey past away Dec. 27th 2010.