January 20, 2010
To: John Jenkins, C.S.C., President
Chuck Lennon, Executive Director, Alumni Association
Dear sirs,
The recent publication of a gay-bashing comic in the Observer has made me ashamed to be a Notre Dame alumnus. While this embarrassment is inspired by the ugliness of the cartoon—and the clumsy attempts at apology offered in its aftermath—it is tied most directly to Notre Dame’s hostility to gays and lesbians.
The facts barely need to be repeated. Our school is consistently at the top of the Princeton Review’s “Alternative Lifestyles Not an Alternative” category. We refuse to recognize sexual orientation in our non-discrimination statute. We refuse to officially recognize gay student and alumni groups. Ironically, these same groups are banned from advertising in the very paper that has published this embarrassment.
I know that a number of apologies—and a resignation—have followed in the wake of this cartoon, including one from Father Jenkins himself. It’s not enough. A culture of discrimination is embedded on campus. And unfortunately, as long as gay and lesbian groups can’t be recognized, as long as non-discrimination standards don’t apply, students and alumni, such as me, are abetting this discrimination with our support. We’re condoning a place that doesn’t treat gay people with simple decency. That’s not right.
I’m writing to share this concern. But I’m also writing—and encouraging others to do the same—to share a promise. I won’t support Notre Dame in any way—from buying a T-shirt at the Bookstore to cheering for the football team—until the university stops discriminating against its gay students and alumni. If Notre Dame can’t take this step, I’m no longer interested in being associated with the university.
My grandfather graduated from Notre Dame and served as a faculty member in its sociology department. My aunt and uncle are alums. My mother received her economics degree from Notre Dame. My sister is attending now.
We have long loved this school, showing it our appreciation and loyalty. Speaking only for myself, I can say that my feelings now reflect profound embarrassment—embarrassment at the school’s backwardness and discrimination. Until these attitudes change, Notre Dame will not have my support.
Sincerely,
James Seidler, 2002