GLBT Club On Campus

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Just wondering what the forum thinks about the presence of a GLBT club on a Catholic campus (for those who don’t know, GLBT = gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered).

I attend a private, Catholic university that does have a GLBT club on campus, although the club must ask for approval from the university for most public appearances. They are also not allowed to appear at involvement fairs.

The club has caused some controversy, as the school must adhere to Catholic teaching yet feels empathy for students in the club that feel unrepresented and hurt that their club (which reflects their identities) faces a set of guidelines and restrictions that other clubs do not.

Is the presence of such a club on a Catholic campus orthodox?
 
I don’t have a problem with that as long as their agenda and purpose is to promote/encourage/support the members to live chaste lifestyles in accordance with Catholic teachings. Anything else, I’d have a HUGE problem with on a Catholic campus.
 
Try to remember that GLBT prejudice DOES exist, and yes, it IS wrong. Period. End of discussion. Hating someone is horrible, but hurting them is much, much worse.

A GLBT society/club is just fine. If they start to say, “homosexuality should be practiced by everyone and it’s better than heterosexuality” THAN I’d have a problem with it.

But if it’s just a club to try and stop prejudice, than that’s fine.
 
IMO, it would be better for the Catholic university not to have an official club that is modeled after secular GLBT clubs. Here’s why I think so:
  1. The example given by the OP shows that already they had to make special rules for it. That was probably well-intentioned. But it also sets up a scenario for people to want to “push the envelope.”
  2. It might cause scandal or seem like approving homosexual activity to persons who are easily influenced.
  3. Wouldn’t it be better to have a Courage group at the campus chapel and leave it at that?
  4. Those who are practicing “alternative lifestyles” can and will form an underground group but at least the college and the Church is not responsible for what they do, and won’t catch the flak for it.
 
Rascalking said:
Try to remember that GLBT prejudice DOES exist, and yes, it IS wrong. Period. End of discussion. Hating someone is horrible, but hurting them is much, much worse.

A GLBT society/club is just fine. If they start to say, “homosexuality should be practiced by everyone and it’s better than heterosexuality” THAN I’d have a problem with it.

But if it’s just a club to try and stop prejudice, than that’s fine.
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No, if they say “Homosexuality is ok and we encourage the practice of it” then they are going against what the Church Teaches.

If it is a club to promote that GLBT practice chastity and to stop prejudice against them, then that is fine.

But most GLBT clubs on college campuses are all for the promotion and support of practicing homosexuals, again, against what the Church Teaches.

The Catholic College I attended refused the creation of such a club for this very reason.
 
ByzCath said:
No, if they say “Homosexuality is ok and we encourage the practice of it” then they are going against what the Church Teaches.

If it is a club to promote that GLBT practice chastity and to stop prejudice against them, then that is fine.

But most GLBT clubs on college campuses are all for the promotion and support of practicing homosexuals, again, against what the Church Teaches.

The Catholic College I attended refused the creation of such a club for this very reason.
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My mistake, fine.

However, I totally stand by my point that violence and hatred towards homosexuals is terribly wrong and sinful.
 
Rascalking said:
My mistake, fine.

However, I totally stand by my point that violence and hatred towards homosexuals is terribly wrong and sinful.
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And I can totally agree with that.

But the promotion and support of homosexual acts (lifestyle) is also terribly wrong and sinful.
 
bhall0689 said:
Just wondering what the forum thinks about the presence of a GLBT club on a Catholic campus (for those who don’t know, GLBT = gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered).

I attend a private, Catholic university that does have a GLBT club on campus, although the club must ask for approval from the university for most public appearances. They are also not allowed to appear at involvement fairs.

The club has caused some controversy, as the school must adhere to Catholic teaching yet feels empathy for students in the club that feel unrepresented and hurt that their club (which reflects their identities) faces a set of guidelines and restrictions that other clubs do not.

Is the presence of such a club on a Catholic campus orthodox?
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What set of restrictions do they face and what is an involvement fair, an event for students to be aware of activities they can become a member?
 
PatriceA said:
What set of restrictions do they face and what is an involvement fair, an event for students to be aware of activities they can become a member?
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The involvement fair is a showcase of clubs on campus (environmental club, vegetarian club, republican/democrat club, etc.), in which the clubs recruit members and distribute information about their cause. The GLBT club is not allowed to recruit.

The club has to jump over a lot more hurdles than the other clubs in order to promote themselves or do something on campus.

There is a lot of diversity at my school, and a lot of gay and lesbian individuals. I have never been to a GLBT meeting, but I would imagine the discretion of the meeting is probably up to them, and they can talk about whatever they want to. After all, these are people in their 20s. Seeing as it is not a religious club, and only about 40% of the student body identifies as Catholic, I would seriously doubt they are discussing chastity issues.
 
bhall0689 said:
Just wondering what the forum thinks about the presence of a GLBT club on a Catholic campus (for those who don’t know, GLBT = gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered).

I attend a private, Catholic university that does have a GLBT club on campus, although the club must ask for approval from the university for most public appearances. They are also not allowed to appear at involvement fairs.

The club has caused some controversy, as the school must adhere to Catholic teaching yet feels empathy for students in the club that feel unrepresented and hurt that their club (which reflects their identities) faces a set of guidelines and restrictions that other clubs do not.

Is the presence of such a club on a Catholic campus orthodox?
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I personally, as a gay man, think it’s a great idea to have a club like that on campus. With all of the recent suicides from young GLBT students; it’s a great thing to have a club where people can meet others like themselves and feel free to really speak about their problems, conflicts, etc. in a safe group setting.

There are so many different clubs at college campuses that I feel it’s only fair to have a GLBT one.

I don’t agree with the college setting up different rules for the club though. If the college is going to allow that club to operate officially; then the only FAIR thing to do is to have the same set of rules for EVERYONE.
 
It could be that the law requires them to have the club. I remember there was a legal battle of some sort about it at Georgetown 20 or more years ago. Georgetown in the end had to allow the club, but they managed to get concessions about what the club could do.

I was able to dig up a New York Times article about it. I don’t think it requires you to log in to get at it.
 
this is what happens when you let liberals infiltrate the Church…and whats interesting is most of these activities are done without the bishops knowing…

hence I would write the bishop

I wrote my local bishop here in my town because there was a big problem with this type of thing at St. Joans of Arc Church. Later the bishop closed the group down. Of course there was a huge protest by GLBT people. But it still got closed…
 
I’m definitely not interested in trying to get it closed down. This is not a new club - it’s over 15 years old and has survived many administration members’ attempts at dismantlement. Also, a LOT of people rely on this club for support. There are no other group resources on campus for gay or lesbian individuals, and I think the group support helps them cope.

The reason I posted the question is because I was curious about the group’s orthodoxy. Recently there was a job fair on campus, which a number of non-profit organizations attended in order to recruit employees. There was a gay/lesbian non-profit that attended, but they were ultimately barred from our president, because it was found that the organization supported gay marriage. A lot of people, in particular the GLBT club were upset. The decision also made local news, and a lot of gay alumni were threatening to stop donating. A panel was held to address students’ concerns, among other things. The club causes A LOT of controversy . . .
 
mommyof4 said:
I don’t have a problem with that as long as their agenda and purpose is to promote/encourage/support the members to live chaste lifestyles in accordance with Catholic teachings. Anything else, I’d have a HUGE problem with on a Catholic campus.
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Our Catholic parish in the western suburbs of Chicago is becoming known for being Gay Friendly. Our former pastor allowed a parent of a gay to start a group to support parents of homosexuals back in 2007 and she called it Always Our Children. Our pastor promised me that it would not promote homosexuality but that is exactly what has happened. It is now called The Gay and Lesbian Ministry and promotes G.L.B.T. Where can we go for help? I have written to the Pastor twice and to our Bishop and the Chancellor, all to no avail. Other parishioners have also.
 
Try starting a Bestiality Club or a Polygamy Club, maybe a Sodomy Club, and see how far you get with then powers that be.

AMDG
jsa
 
blackrobe said:
Try starting a Bestiality Club or a Polygamy Club, maybe a Sodomy Club, and see how far you get with then powers that be.

AMDG
jsa
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Because beastiality and polygamy are illegal, and I’m not sure how much you know about the gay lifestyle but I assuming sodomy might already be covered . . .
 
bhall0689 said:
Because beastiality and polygamy are illegal, and I’m not sure how much you know about the gay lifestyle but I assuming sodomy might already be covered . . .
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Can you tell me how a club that supports the “gay lifestyle” would be in keeping with what the Catholic Church Teaches in the matter of sexuality and the use of sex (chastity)?
 
bhall0689 said:
Because beastiality and polygamy are illegal, and I’m not sure how much you know about the gay lifestyle but I assuming sodomy might already be covered . . .
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But I believe you partially grasped my point. Being inclined to behavior contrary to the Moral Law is completely different from actually doing that which is contrary to the Moral Law. A club which supports those inclined to morally disordered behavior but does not endorse or promote such behavior is always appropriate. A club which endorses, promotes, or attempts to justify morally disordered behavior is never acceptable. This distinction is especially important for a Catholic institution if for no other reason than scandal.

AMDG
jsa
 
Rascalking said:
Try to remember that GLBT prejudice DOES exist, and yes, it IS wrong. Period. End of discussion. Hating someone is horrible, but hurting them is much, much worse.

A GLBT society/club is just fine. If they start to say, “homosexuality should be practiced by everyone and it’s better than heterosexuality” THAN I’d have a problem with it.

But if it’s just a club to try and stop prejudice, than that’s fine.
Click to expand...
As a Catholic and one who is non-GLBT, I would totally support this.

The fact is, there is a problem of anti-GLBT harassment at colleges, and in fact it’s especially common at one of the Catholic colleges near me.

There is nothing wrong with saying that we should show tolerance toward those with whom we might disagree. We may not share the religious beliefs as other Christians or Muslims but we don’t have to show it by name calling or harassment.
 
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