April 9, 2007

Black Colleges Fail to Welcome Gay Students and Groups

Gay students often feel unwelcome at historically black colleges, where homophobia may prevent classmates and administrators alike from acknowledging the presence of lesbians and gay men, reports the Associated Press.

The wire service says black colleges have a disproportionately small number of gay-student organizations, in some cases because the groups can’t find faculty members willing to serve as advisers. Hampton University has twice refused to permit a gay-student group to form because of a moratorium on the number of student organizations.

A representative of the Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group, told the AP that some historically black colleges were hostile to the idea of allowing groups of gay students to meet, while others denied having any gay students.

But the head of the Coalition of African-American Pastors in Memphis, Tenn., said black-college administrators “don’t have to give a lot of reasons” for banning gay-student groups, because acceptance of homosexuality would be “a threat to the black family.” —Lawrence Biemiller

Comments

1. I am a 1976 graduate of Hampton Institute and, alas, homophobia is kit and kaboodle of the black church hence by extension, historically black colleges. This is such a shame and I am ashamed that my alma mater would disallow the formation of gay and lesbian organizations. Wyt the heck are people afraid of these groups? I ask this question rhetorially because it is obvious gays are in institutions of higher learning and they are certainly in our places of worship. Homosexuality does not rub off so get over it.

   When I was at Hampton, we embraced our brothers and sisters who were gay. Who the heck cares! How can a people who were once discriminated against now discriminate against another group of people!

   It’s time for folks to come together in this country and acknowledge our differences but also embrace our similarities.

   I happen to be straight and African-American and really could care less about people’s sexuality as long as they are decent and caring people.

   Gay folks are here and they are not hiding anymore. Get used to it America.

   — Joanne E. Howard, Ph.D.    Apr 9, 04:39 PM    #

2. I am for “Human Rights” and that all people should be treated fairly and equal. No one group should have preferential treatment whether it is an gay organization or other. Also, why is it important that the world knows who and what one sleeps with?

   There are just too many issues that society must deal with just now, i.e high unemployment, the war in Iraq, education, drugs, teen suicide, economic development, AIDS, diabetes, and all hate crimes.

   I hope that Hampton University will protect all of its students and faculty regardless of sexual orientation so that they can haave a prosperous experience during their tenure at this great institution.

   All students should be encouraged to learn as much as they can, so that they will one day be able to add to the wide body of knowledge.

   So, it is not really about “sex” but our developed spirituality to be kind and accommodating to all.

   — O.D. Alexander    Apr 10, 09:14 AM    #

3. America is the land of opportunity. Every opportunity must be available to all. Each person must conduct themselves with the highest ethical standards. We should not discriminate against anyone who is devotedly concerned with their own personal and professional development. Every person deserves the highest respect and should be evaluated by their personal conduct.

   William Allan Kritsonis, PhD
   Professor
   PhD Program in Educational Leadership
   Prairie View A&M University
   Member of the Texas A&M University System

   www.nationalforum.com

   — William Allan Kritsonis, PhD    Apr 10, 01:58 PM    #

4. It’s a sad commentary on higher education today when any college or university discriminates on the basis of sexuality. College is where all avenues of society should be open, shared, and discussed. Ignorance is the basis of all prejudice and bias, and all schools, no matter what the social or religious affiliation, should be focusing on ending the ignorance that surrounds us.

   Michael L. McPherson, PhD
   Professor and Dean Emeritus
   Mt. Sierra College
   Monrovia, California

   — Michael McPherson, PhD    Apr 10, 05:28 PM    #

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