Break Notre Dame's Silence on Gay Rights

by Michael Jones · 2010-01-28 07:02:00 UTC
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Notre DameHundreds of supporters of LGBT rights launched a silent protest yesterday to call attention to the University of Notre Dame's glaring silence on LGBT issues. The demonstration was intended to capitalize on debate surrounding LGBT rights at the university in the wake of a cartoon that was published in a student newspaper that advocated gay-bashing.

But to hear the demonstrators, many of whom were students, tell it, this demonstration goes far beyond just a cartoon that appeared in the newspaper.

"When the University refuses to acknowledge club status for [gay/straight alliances] and refuses to add sexual orientation to the non-discrimination clause, we are reminded of our other-ness," said Laurel Javors, one of the activists who organized the demonstration.

These facts put Notre Dame in a sticky, and untenable situation. Of the top-20 universities in the country, the University of Notre Dame is the only institution that doesn't include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policy, according to demonstration organizers.

Want to let Notre Dame know that a culture of homophobia shouldn't be tolerated in higher education? Send their President, Vice-President, and their student newspaper a message that the whole world is watching Notre Dame, and expecting them to create a campus environment that is safe for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation.

The University of Notre Dame's mission statement calls the campus to focus on injustice. "The University seeks to cultivate in its students not only an appreciation for the great achievements of human beings, but also a disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice, and oppression that burden the lives of so many."

Why shouldn't that include the oppression and injustice faced by students, faculty and alums based on sexual orientation? Take action now.

Photo credit: sportsfloormats

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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