Purdue continues to fund homophobic non-profits

Publication Date: 09/26/2007

"We Matter" is the theme of this year's campus United Way campaign; ironic because it has also made clear to a segment of Purdue's community that they don't matter. The local United Way refuses to adopt non-discrimination clauses for sexual orientation and religion, and the United Way funds raised on campus go to area agencies - such as the Boy Scouts - that refuse to serve boys who identify as gay or atheist. However, Bob Wild, Purdue's UW chair, says this year's theme is incredibly appropriate. "It is so true that what we do at Purdue is extremely important to this community," he says. That is very true, but in ways he seems unable to comprehend. When the University puts its employees and resources to work fundraising for groups that actively discriminate, they send a message that certain members of the Purdue community really don't matter.

They endorse the idea in our larger community that some types of discrimination are bad, while other types are merely "optional." Thus, the administration exposes the hypocrisy of - and lack of serious commitment to - their own non-discrimination policies. Earlier this year I watched Vice President for Human Relations Alyssa Rollock on local TV bemoaning the persistent campus homophobia as represented in surveys. The administration can't have their cake and eat it too. Officials can't legitimately complain that homophobia on campus is objectionable to them, then turn around and devote campus resources to fundraise for openly homophobic groups.

What we do at Purdue is extremely important to this community. Purdue refuses to live up to its own non-discrimination ideas by winking at homophobia here and in the larger community.

Mike Sloothaak

Physics staff