Gonzaga under fire over conservative speaker called anti-gay

Seattle PI ^

[narses]

SPOKANE -- Gonzaga University, which has rejected recent attempts to bring a Planned Parenthood speaker and "The Vagina Monologues" to the school, now is under fire for the on-campus appearance of a conservative who contends homosexuality is a matter of choice.

The College Republicans brought in Dr. John Diggs for a lecture titled "The Medical Effects of Homo-Sex."

Some students criticized the lecture in the student newspaper, the Bulletin, as anti-gay and promoting stereotypes.

Diggs' appearance Tuesday was intended to foster open debate and inquiry, said Daniel Brutocao, president of the Gonzaga chapter of College Republicans.

The speaker focused on homosexual promiscuity and asserted that "homosexuality is the result of a bad relationship with one's same-sex parent," said Rod Aminian, president of the gay and lesbian campus organization, Helping Educate Regarding Orientation, in an e-mail message.

Aminian's group had encouraged attendance and debate about the lecture -- and he said he supported the university's handling of Diggs' appearance, which included limited publicity.

But in a letter to the Bulletin, he criticized the lecture and labeled Diggs "an ideologue of vulgar proportions."

Brutocao acknowledged that the university sought to limit publicity about the event.

"The university did not want us to advertise because it was a controversial topic, but they permitted us to bring the speaker to campus," he told The Spokesman-Review newspaper. "We acceded to their wishes in this matter."

The newspaper was unable to reach the Rev. Robert Spitzer, Gonzaga's president, for comment on the report published Saturday.

In 2000 and 2001, Spitzer barred a Planned Parenthood speaker and an on-campus performance of "The Vagina Monologues," an all-woman play made up of monologues about sex, masturbation and lesbianism.

Critics said the decisions undercut academic freedom.

[Salvation]

Ever hear of the Jesuits? Hopefully, we pray, they are turning their act around.

[narses]

Indeed. The Reverend Father Doctor Spitzer is trying. The Lavender Mafia is aging but still alive and well at GU.

[Brilliant]

In 2000 and 2001, Spitzer barred a Planned Parenthood speaker and an on-campus performance of "The Vagina Monologues," an all-woman play made up of monologues about sex, masturbation and lesbianism.

Critics said the decisions undercut academic freedom.

But the same "critics" feel this speaker should have been banned.

[JRios1968]

Gonzaga University, which has rejected recent attempts to bring a Planned Parenthood speaker and "The Vagina Monologues" to the school, now is under fire for the on-campus appearance of a conservative who contends homosexuality is a matter of choice.

Gonzaga seems like a great place to send your college-bound children!

[dbrutocao]

Gonzaga will be a great place to send your child. I'm hoping to turn this place around, one speaker at a time. Thanks for the support. We need it here. I am the president of the College Republicans at GU and look for more events coming up in the near future. Thanks again. This is one of the few websites that supports what we do. Keep up the good work.