Notre Dame postpones gay-straight alliance decision until fall

Both measures have been sought for years by those who want stronger campus support and legal protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning individuals at the university.

“I think that it is very encouraging that the decision on official recognition will be a component of a broader review of the structures and services in place for the LGBTQ community and allies,” said Alex Coccia, a sophomore and co-president of the Progressive Student Alliance, a student group leading the movement. “One thing that was made very clear this semester was that as a community we need to address inclusion in many different arenas, and, therefore, a broader review is necessary.”

The decision not to add sexual orientation to the non-discrimination clause was a “collective decision” made by top Notre Dame administrators, including the Rev. John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president, university spokesman Dennis Brown said Tuesday.

Both the Student Senate and the Faculty Senate passed resolutions this year backing adding sexual orientation to the non-discrimination clause and urging recognition of a gay-straight alliance. The proposals did not go before Notre Dame’s Academic Council or the university’s board of trustees, which will meet later this week on campus.

Student organizations must apply each year for recognition as campus clubs for the following academic year. GLBT advocates for years have requested permission to create a GSA to provide support and education on matters related to sexual orientation.

On Tuesday, student organizers were told this year’s request wasn’t denied. A decision is delayed until fall, pending a full administrative review of existing non-discrimination practices and protections.

Some employees are cautiously optimistic about recent events and the planned review.

Richard Herbst, assistant director of public interest law at Notre Dame Law School, said the culture on campus toward this issue has changed significantly since he was a Notre Dame undergraduate from 2000 to 2004.

“The discussion is being held more openly by members of the GLBT community, allies and those who don’t subscribe to either group. It’s less whispered about,” he said.

That shows Notre Dame isn’t immune to cultural changes in society, Herbst said. He noted the South Bend Common Council’s recent vote to add sex discrimination to the city’s non-discrimination protection. “We need to be on the same page,” he said.

“Notre Dame is a better place for GLBT students than it was when I was an undergraduate,” Herbst said.

“It’s amazing to watch the student drive the conversation. Without the student support for GLBT issues on this campus, I don’t think we’d be where we are in this conversation,” said Maria McKenna, director of undergraduate studies for the Department of Africana studies. She graduated from Notre Dame in 1997.

McKenna also mentioned the equality ordinance recently adopted by South Bend. That’s important because city leaders have taken a leadership role on protection for GLBT individuals, and it’s being felt on campus, she said.

Administrators announced several new steps to better support GLBT students and employees, including improving awareness of existing protections, continuing dialogue between administrators and student leaders, making ally training more widely available and considering ways to make the “Spirit of Inclusion” statement more explicit and effective.

Notre Dame in 1997 adopted a “statement of inclusion” describing the university’s regard for all people, with specific reference to lesbians and gays. The university’s employment policy adheres to federal law, stating that the university is an equal opportunity employer and doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability or veteran status.

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