STRAIGHT not first to hop into controversy

The fight to make STRAIGHT an official University organization ended earlier this month, more than 25 years after a similar battle was waged over the first sexually oriented organization at the University.

In 1971, an organization called The Other Vision: Homophiles of Penn State (HOPS) made the first attempt to gain lesbian and gay recognition on campus. HOPS received official University status from the Undergraduate Student Government Supreme Court in April 1971.

But Students Reinforcing Adherence In General Heterosexual Tradition did not get that far. The organization's charter was denied unanimously by the USG Supreme Court in February 1997. STRAIGHT appealed to the Student Organization Appeals Board, and the organization's charter was granted earlier this month.

HOPS' aim was similar to the aim of the current goals of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance. HOPS planned to "change attitudes on homosexuality by working through legal reform, public education and individual counseling." A "homophile" was someone who opposed discrimination against homosexuals.

HOPS wanted to end job discrimination and lack of information about homosexuality and hostile attitudes in the psychiatric clinics on campus. Homosexuality was still considered a disease in 1971, said Sue Rankin, vice provost for educational equity. Homosexual intercourse was also illegal in Pennsylvania.

Although HOPS was approved by the court, Acting Vice President of Student Affairs Raymond Murphy suspended the group's access to University facilities in May 1971. Murphy wanted the University Legal Council to review the legality of the group.

USG President at the time, Benson Lichtig, Class of 1973, remembers how he felt when the administration reneged the student government's decision.

"At that time the USG Supreme Court had the authority of whether or not to grant student charters," he said. "(The court) granted it, and (the administration) overrode it. I was not pleased."

The student reaction to the suspension, Lichtig said, was mixed due to the understanding of homosexuality at the time. Some students supported HOPS and others supported the administration.

"The nature of the organization limited the student response," he said. "I almost wish it had happened with another student group because there probably would have been more of an outcry."

The media attention and struggle that ensued for HOPS was similar to the public attention STRAIGHT received since its charter was denied. Articles ran in The Daily Collegian almost every day on the status of the group's suspension and outbursts in support of the group were common.

A controversy also continued when HOPS threatened an injunction against the University and rallies ensued, much like STRAIGHT's in February.

One of the more publicized events occurred when former Gov. Milton J. Shapp and former University President John W. Oswald spoke on the steps of Old Main. Frank Kameny, member of the Gay Liberation Movement and American Civil Liberties Union at the time, grabbed the microphone from the officials and denounced Murphy for suspending the group's access to facilities.

HOPS waited until September 1971 for the University's final decision -- a denial. In a letter to HOPS, Murphy said the organization conflicted with "educational policy" at the University.

"We are advised that based upon sound psychological and psychiatric opinion," Murphy wrote, "the chartering of your organization would create a substantial conflict with counseling and psychiatric services the University provides to its students."

It was not until February 1972, that HOPS filed a federal suit against Murphy and other University administrators claiming they violated the members' First and 14th Amendment rights.

In January 1973, the University granted HOPS a charter when it settled out of court.

HOPS was the precursor to the chartered organization LGBSA in 1985, and became LGBSA in 1988, Rankin said.