Supporters of the proposed a resource center for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students accused Vice President of Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez of not honoring the University’s policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. This accusation comes in response to Gonzalez’ decision to block the creation of a LGBT resource center on campus.
The accusation, in the form of a letter, was presented to Gonzalez this past Friday, in a meeting held to discuss the formation of a committee that will decide the future of the center proposal.
Resource center organizers said in that letter that Gonzalez made no attempts to address the needs of the LGBT community on campus.
“[Y]ou indicated to us that no need we could demonstrate could justify the creation of a center … To treat LGBT issues as concerns after students are suicidal, depressed, or ready to transfer is to make no commitment to address the underlying experiences of being an invisible minority,” the letter said.
The letter also addresses the center supporters’ dissatisfaction with their dialogue with Gonzalez in the past few months.
“Your response and the subsequent interviews you have given force us to believe that your meetings with us were never intended to produce a substantive dialogue around the issue of an LGBT resource center,” resource center organizers said in the letter.
In his written rejection of the resource center released on Feb. 8, Gonzalez said he is committed to reviewing and improving current services provided for LGBT students. He has compiled a list of LGBT support services which include aspects of New Student Orientation, the Diversity Working Group and Campus Ministry.
Despite the formation of a committee to address the current situation, resource center organizers said that they feel that Gonzalez is not working to meet the needs of the LGBT community.
“Instead of being halfway towards a solution, we are back at the beginning, with a committee very similar in make-up and purpose to the one that you ignored this summer,” the letter stated.
In an interview on Feb. 8, Gonzalez said he believes that the University is supportive of LGBT students.
“We indeed do a great deal for LGBT students. Can we do more? Probably. Do we have a desire to do that? Absolutely,” Gonzalez said.
The resource center organizers criticize Gonzalez’ use of Catholic teachings as basis for his refutation of the center proposal. The letter argues that Gonzalez initially stated that Catholic teachings were an inadequate basis for refusal, but then later cited Catholic teachings as the basis for his denial. The letter stated that Gonzalez admitted conservative alumni and Church hierarchy were sources of pressure impeding the creation of a center.
According to Joe McFadden (CAS ‘02), GU Pride President and a Voice staff member, the letter is part of a continuing process to resolve the issue of the resource center.
Resource organizers have recently garnered the support of D.C. City Council Member David Catania (SFS ‘90). Gonzalez has met with with and agreed to continue meeting with Catania to negotiate an acceptable conclusion to the situation, McFadden said.
“Everyone is interested in making sure we resolve the issue quickly and within the Georgetown community,” McFadden said.
He noted that people outside of the immediate University community?particularly alumni?are beginning to take interest in the issue.
According to McFadden, resource center supporters have been in contact with alumni since last year and hope to continue to build an involved alumni network.
GU Pride and resource center supporters are sponsoring an event after spring break that they hope will foster a closer relationship between LGBT students and alumni.
“LGBT students often have very little connection with the older generation. We hope to open communication between alumni and students and get alumni involved in the resource center,” McFadden said.
Resource center supporters will continue to take necessary steps toward the resolution of the issue, he said.
“We have explored a wide variety of other options. Many paths are open to us beyond negotiation with the University,” McFadden said.
