Tell Harding University: Don't Silence LGBT Students

The Issue

 

LGBT students at Harding University released a very heartfelt and powerful e-zine, The State of The Gay, telling the stories and giving voice to the experiences of gay and lesbian students at the school. The goal? To convey what it's like to be LGBT on campus, and to push for dialogue in hopes that Harding University might one day become a school free of oppression, discrimination, and fear of queer people. 

These are some awesome students. Too bad they're dealing with some not-so-awesome administrators. 

Students with the Harding University Queer Press have documented that the University has banned the Web site for The State of the Gay on campus, and they have a screen cap to prove it. If you try to go to HUQueerPress.com, the page turns up a bold stop sign that says, "This site has been specifically blocked by the Harding University IT Policy Committee due to objectionable content."

At Harding University, just acknowledging the existence of LGBT people is considered "objectionable." So much for academic integrity.

Send the school a message that censoring LGBT web sites and hiding the presence of LGBT students on campus -- especially when we're talking about really heartfelt and tender stories told by Harding University LGBT students in The State of The Gay -- is wrong. All students should have a chance to express themselves, and LGBT students shouldn't be hidden or defined out of existence by Harding University administrators. 

 

avatar of the starter
Michael JonesPetition StarterManaging Director of Campaigns @ Change.org. On the side I write some sketch comedy, and enjoy being the proud parent of the best dog on the planet.
This petition had 1,454 supporters

The Issue

 

LGBT students at Harding University released a very heartfelt and powerful e-zine, The State of The Gay, telling the stories and giving voice to the experiences of gay and lesbian students at the school. The goal? To convey what it's like to be LGBT on campus, and to push for dialogue in hopes that Harding University might one day become a school free of oppression, discrimination, and fear of queer people. 

These are some awesome students. Too bad they're dealing with some not-so-awesome administrators. 

Students with the Harding University Queer Press have documented that the University has banned the Web site for The State of the Gay on campus, and they have a screen cap to prove it. If you try to go to HUQueerPress.com, the page turns up a bold stop sign that says, "This site has been specifically blocked by the Harding University IT Policy Committee due to objectionable content."

At Harding University, just acknowledging the existence of LGBT people is considered "objectionable." So much for academic integrity.

Send the school a message that censoring LGBT web sites and hiding the presence of LGBT students on campus -- especially when we're talking about really heartfelt and tender stories told by Harding University LGBT students in The State of The Gay -- is wrong. All students should have a chance to express themselves, and LGBT students shouldn't be hidden or defined out of existence by Harding University administrators. 

 

avatar of the starter
Michael JonesPetition StarterManaging Director of Campaigns @ Change.org. On the side I write some sketch comedy, and enjoy being the proud parent of the best dog on the planet.

The Decision Makers

David Burks
David Burks
President, Harding University
Harding University IT Services
Harding University IT Services
Harding University Communications Department
Harding University Communications Department
David Crouch
David Crouch
Director of Public Relations

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Petition created on March 2, 2011