Coming Out of the Catholic Closet

By THOMAS BARTLETT

Gay professors strive — some more overtly than others — for acceptance at Roman Catholic colleges

Gay and lesbian professors at Roman Catholic colleges have learned that it is often easier, as well as safer, to keep a low profile. Even when administrators want to be supportive, they have to worry about the backlash from alumni and Catholic groups that oppose homosexuality. As one professor put it, "The unwritten code is: 'Don't let us hear about it. Don't