From: ACTION ALERT Moderator Subject: ACTION ALERT: Penn State Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 08:50:54 -0600 (CST) Submitted by: Wes Younger, Georgia Tech Gay and Lesbian Alliance [ Moderator Note: Reply-To set to lgbsa@psu.edu ] I was forwarded the following letter earlier this week. The Penn State Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Student Alliance is seeking the support of LGBT organizations (and organizations representing other under-represented or minority groups) from around the country. Our Undergraduate Supreme Court recently denied student organization status to a proposed group called S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T. (Students reinforcing adherence in general heterosexual tradition). From S.T.R.A.I.G.H.T.'s constitution: "The purpose of STRAIGHT is to provide students with an official and formal organization in which they can express their views regarding the refusal to accept or support homosexuality, as well as provide peer support for inter-heterosexual matters. STRAIGHT will also function as a lobby organization providing such students the ability, and means, to participate in furthering their related political agendas. Furthermore, STRAIGHT is committed to deterring the inclinations of intolerant individuals who engage in any actions that are not purely political, or in any way suggest animosity." The last line of this statement was added after we intercepted an email message between STRAIGHT members in which specific gay-bashing acts were discussed. We are proud of our student Justices, and hope this major step toward a tolerant and respectful campus community sets the standard for other Universities. We agree with the Court's decision which in no way infringe' s upon the rights of individuals to exercise their First Amendment rights to free speech and freedom of assembly. There are several things you and your organization can do to help. 1.) Pass this message along to other minority organizations. Here at Penn State we are witnessing something spectacular....this controversy has galvanized the spirit and hope of our many diverse organizations; we feel this can happen at other Universities as well. 2.) Send letters of support to our Justices, who have courageously established an unprecedented standard of hope. 3.) Send us your suggestions, advice, comments, and hopefully, support, as we prepare for the legal battle that looms ahead if the leader of STRAIGHT takes this matter to court. 4.) Make this issue the focus of a discussion group at your next meeting or workshop event. We've found many of our members were inspired and empowered by this campus-wide debate. 5.) Contact your campus media and encourage them to cover your group's reaction. The media attention surrounding this story is growing; use it to enhance visibility of your group on the local level. To email our brave Supreme Court Justices, please contact: Jit Chatterjee, Dawn Brown, Desha Girod, Aaliya Bokhari, Tonilyn Chippie, Bryan Weis, and Winfield Turpin. Emails: bxc137@psu.edu, dnb106@psu.edu, dmg190@psu.edu, tmc143@psu.edu, bcw118@psu.edu, wnt103@psu.edu Thanks for your time, Duane Gildea Lesbian Gay Bisexual Student Alliance 310 HUB University Park, PA 16802 lgbsa@psu.edu 814-865-3327 --- _____________________________________________________________________________ * ACTION-ALERT is a moderated mailing list. * * To subscribe to ACTION-ALERT, send mail to: majordomo@vector.casti.com * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: subscribe action-alert * * To unsubscribe to ACTION-ALERT, send mail to: majordomo@vector.casti.com * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe action-alert * * Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! * * List Information: http://www.qrd.org/qrd/electronic/email/action-alert * _____________________________________________________________________________