Administration receives letters decrying the Gay Straight Partnership
By Maureen Inouye
The UP administration has recently received several letters questioning the Gay Straight Partnership's (GSP) inclusion among clubs at UP. The GSP's officers and adviser are unconcerned, focusing instead on the club's future activities.
"The letters don't bother me. (The letter writers) don't know me or this group," senior Valerie Silliman, GSP president, said.
The Rev. John Donato, C.S.C., one of the club's advisers, and UP President the Rev. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., have received several letters of protest. The letters have come from a variety of sources, including a few alumni, and all the letter writers believe they have a stake in the state of the University, according to Donato.
"There's always going to be people who have a different opinion, who question whether such a group supports the Catholic character we promote at UP," Donato said.
Donato and Beauchamp have both responded to these letters, which have come through the mail and through e-mail, some anonymously.
"I think some of these people, who have sent letters out of anger, have a lack of knowledge. The most important thing is that we respond with more information," Donato said.
The administration, specifically Vice President of University Relations the Rev. Thomas Doyle, C.S.C., has formulated a letter that outlines both the Catholic Church's teachings on homosexuality as well as the process the group went through to be included as a UP club. This letter has been sent to all those who expressed concern.
"We tried to describe the history behind our decision and where the group is situated in the campus community," Donato said. He has not shown the letters to any members of the GSP because he'd "rather absorb it, not pass on the hurt, but transform it" adding that ultimately, the group strives to promote love.
Members of the group are not interested in knowing the content of the letters.
"There's always the worry (that people will protest) with a club that's more controversial. But we didn't make this a political club; we don't have an agenda, and, hopefully, people who aren't OK with this will still let it be a safe place," said junior Amber Rhodes, next year's GSP president-elect.
Rhodes and Silliman are both focused on making their group even bigger and better in the next year. Currently, the GSP has 40 official members and 220 people in its Facebook group.
"So much of what I wanted to do (when I started the club) was spark dialogue, so if we're sparking dialogue outside campus, that's good, too," Silliman said. Silliman thinks those people who have sent letters do not really understand the group's mission, which is to make sure everyone is treated equally and respectfully.
The club's plans for next year include a kick-off with a band at the beginning of the semester, movies and panel discussions.
"It's gonna be a blast. We're like any other group, gathering to share an interest - but once we've gathered, it just becomes a social thing," Rhodes said. She said the GSP as a whole has learned a lot about how to speak about homosexuality and share differing opinions.
The group has six executive board members, chosen for next semester last week by vote, and plans to include five or six representatives, all with differing views, in all planning activities.
"The reps will provide different insight. We'd like an RA, for example, to keep us in touch with the dorms. And more males," Rhodes said. The current GSP members are primarily female, but the club hopes to include more males next year.
The whole GSP is very happy with the support it has received from the administration, and especially from its adviser, Donato.
"Making Fr. Donato our adviser was a very smart move by the University. Any time the relationship (between the GSP and the administration) could be complicated, it's good to work proactively and build good relationships instead," Silliman said.
Rhodes said she's focused on making the GSP just like any other group on campus that is based on certain ideas.
"If you're a Republican, join that group; if you're a feminist join that group - this is just a group for people to safely share and discuss what's on their minds," she said.
Donato is excited to continue his work with the group, and does not expect the letters to affect his relationship with the GSP or its activities.
"The club, overall, has been received positively. It's hopeful and inclusive. I'm so excited about the strong leadership and seeing the club go from its initial stages into its second year," he said.
