STRAIGHT issue about more than free speech

By now, I am sure that most of you who Darin Loccarini is. Up until earlier this week, I had really had no contact with the man; he was only a nameless, faceless entity floating through the ether we know as Penn State.

So, I did what any good curious columnist would do. I called Darin to have a little chat. And chat we did, for about half an hour.

The first question I had dealt with was the group's mission statement that was published in the Collegian on Feb 6. My specific concern was with the phrase " . . . they (students) can express their views regarding the refusal to accept or support homosexuality . . . . "

I felt this statement was homophobic because it gave people the option to refuse acceptance of lesbian, gay or bisexual people.

Well, I was informed that homophobia does not exist. Darin contends that homophobia is simply a fabrication of the LGB community for use as a political tactic.

Then, I asked Darin the tough questions -- every question from what he thinks of gay people to why he is so entrenched in this organization.

Well, it basically boils down to political activism. Darin doesn't think this is a personal issue. It is a political one.

The exact word that he used to describe the lesbian, gay and bisexual community was "illegitimate." He said the reason that we ask for tolerance and acceptance is illegitimate.

I honestly can not believe that this is even an issue. First of all, this group is homophobic. Even though some seem to believe homophobia is supposedly a figment of some kind of collective group psychosis, I must disagree.

Too many people have been beaten, terrorized or killed for their supposed sexual orientation. I say supposed because straight people who are thought to be gay are just as likely to be victimized as gay people themselves.

Furthermore, the whole idea that heterosexual values need to reinforced by a special group is ridiculous. Heterosexual values and ideas are reinforced every day by the media and society in general.

Unless I have seriously been missing out on something, I think I can fairly say that this society is completely affirmed of its heterosexual status.

I rarely see advertisements geared toward LGB people unless the ads are in LGB publications.

The sad thing is, I think even though I think Darin and his whole group is homophobic, I believe the Undergraduate Student Government will approve STRAIGHT's charter simply because the focus of this issue is blurred.

Rather than focusing on the blatant homophobia contained within the constitution, I think that USG will be too concerned with the freedom of speech issue.

In my mind, there is no way that STRAIGHT should be granted a charter.

First, because I have a problem with any group that is trying to negate my existence. Second, because this university has a non-discrimination policy and strict policies and rules concerning this very issue.

The University's statement on Intolerance is very clear. In section 5b, it states, "Intolerance refers to an attitude, feeling or belief wherein an individual shows contempt for other individuals or group based on characteristics such as race, color, national origin, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, or political or religious belief."

Now, some people may contend that since STRAIGHT is a political organization they must receive a charter because not granting them one will be squelching their rights.

I think these people merely need to walk down the street or go to any bar or restaurant downtown to have their heterosexual attitudes and beliefs reaffirmed.

Members of STRAIGHT, trust me when I say you live in a society that loves and embraces you.

While I and many people of the LGB community strive for equality and an accepted place in society, you have all of these benefits and rights already guaranteed to you.

I do not have these rights and your group is simply a manifestation of homophobic attitudes to keep LGB people from ever attaining these rights.

I think that the approval of STRAIGHT will set a dangerous precedent for the University.

If this group is granted approval, I am scared to think of the other groups with exclusionary, hateful mission statements that will be approved.

I think all underrepresented groups at the University should be concerned with this issue. Oppression of one group paves the way for oppression of others.

Any sort of validity granted to these groups from USG may be the most damning stroke of them all.

Hopefully the people who have the power to make this decision will make the decision to ensure that the PSU community remains on the road to eradicating intolerance -- a vote to not grant STRAIGHT a charter.