-
1 of 10
-
2 of 10
-
3 of 10
-
4 of 10
-
5 of 10
-
6 of 10
-
7 of 10
-
8 of 10
-
9 of 10
-
10 of 10
GLBT week approved 11-3 despite controversy
Archive
Comments
Story
After two weeks of debate, the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) Senate passed a resolution that would designate a week in October as Boise State University Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Diversity-Week.
The vote took place in the Student Union Building’s Forum during Thursday’s senate meeting. The resolution passed 11 votes to 3.
According to the resolution, ASBSU supports BGLAD with its initiative to designate the week of Oct. 11 as Boise State GLBT Recognition Week. The purpose of the week is to acknowledge the GLBT student, faculty, and employee population on campus and to recognize their value to Boise State and its surrounding community.
The Senate meeting opened to gallery comments and guests were asked to keep their remarks to three minutes by ASBSU Vice President Kamron Ahmed.
“There have been a lot of accusations toward homosexuals throughout the past week,” said Woody Howard, president of BGLAD. “Our opponents have no issue with the individual, just with homosexuality. Homosexuality is not a learned behavior, but rather an inherent attribute of the individual.”
Howard also said members of the GLBT community and their diverse allies have worth, value and contribution.
“The time has come. We will be citizens,” Howard said. Howard also commented on a petition that was sent out to students in opposition to the resolution.
“Petitions are worthless,” Howard said. “This whole issue is about the fact that minorities do not have equal footing on this campus. Of course they can get signatures. They are the dominant class. That’s why we need ASBSU to help bring the GLBT community and their allies up to a level footing. No special privileges, just up to a level footing.”
BSU student Roger Miller said he was in opposition to the bill being passed for GLBT students, but encouraged a week recognizing all students who have contributed to Boise State.
Ro Parker, coordinator for the BSU Cultural Center, asked the guests at the meeting to lend support for the resolution.
“Please pass this resolution. It is the right thing to do,” Parker said.
BSU student and BGLAD member Pete Kutchins made reference to the ASBSU constitution.
According to the resolution, the ASBSU constitution states: “The ASBSU will not discriminate
against any individual on the basis of age, race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, political affiliation, or sexual orientation in matters of employment, services, request for funds, educational programs, or other activities.”
Former ASBSU President David Morriss voiced his opposition to the resolution on behalf of BSU students whom he said ASBSU has refused to listen to.
“If this bill passes, it will show that those who support it have no respect or consideration for others. Even after petitions and testimony against the bill, some of you refuse to listen and insist on following through with it,” Morriss said.
Morriss encouraged the Senate to think about the more than18,000 students attending BSU before casting their votes on the resolution.
“Please don’t prove us [students] right that you are an illegitimate group on campus nicknamed the ‘Orange Party’ and that you are puppets of Joe [Holladay, ASBSU president].”
Morris was allotted three minutes to speak to the senate and gallery, but he continued to speak and disregarded Ahmed’s request for him to be seated.
Senator Brandon Stoker encouraged the senate to look at the petition by students.
“No club can discriminate another club,” Stoker said. “We have been asked to give a club one week of recognition. Our job here is not to discriminate, but give equal treatment to all clubs. We need to affirm diversity. We should support all students equally.”
Dang Du, one of three ASBSU senators who sponsored the bill, supported BGLAD in their goal to educate the public.
“This is college. This is higher education. We are here to educate ourselves. BGLAD is going out to educate,” said Du.
Fourteen senators voted on the resolution at the conclusion of comments by the gallery and fellow senate members.
“I am glad the bill was passed and hope members of BGLAD can get their message out during the week,” Stoker said. ASBSU president Joe Holladay said BGLAD was a different club than most on campus and acknowledged the club’s reasons for supporting the diversity week.
“I don’t think there are a lot of other groups on campus, at least club-wise, that think they are oppressed and have to ask for a special week,” Holladay said.
While the bill caused controversy, ASBSU senator Christian Busnardo said the educational process was valuable.
“This has been an educational time not only for senators but also for students. I’m happy student organizations such as BGLAD can come to us for support,” Busnardo said.
The first day of the recognition week will be on Oct. 10 when GLBT members will march at the capital. According to the resolution, national GLBT leaders created a national day to celebrate GLBT recognition and chose Oct. 11, thereby commemorating the Oct. 11 March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights. “This has nothing to do with sexuality. This is not a personal victory for myself or for GLBT. This is a victory for every marginalized group. If you recognize one group, you recognize them all,” Howard said.
Ryan Mortensen
News Writer
