President John Garvey and senior administrators rejected a proposed LGBTQ student organization on December 6 after nearly ten months of dialogue, once again denying all students the right to fully and actively contribute to Catholic University. CUAllies, the proposed organization, set forth a vision and tone that affirmed Catholic identity while embracing a marginalized community.
Students engaged in community, prayer, and service together, building up mutually supportive friendships that not only enabled students to thrive on campus, but to grow deeper in their Catholic faith. Administrators cited fears of "advocacy" as the reason for denial, in direct contradiction to CUAllies two years of non-political, pastoral efforts.
As alumni, faculty, and staff, as parents and family members, as friends and fellow people of faith, as supporters of LGBTQ persons and human dignity for all, as fellow human beings, we urgently request that The Catholic University of America review it's harmful decision and begin to embrace all students into the campus community.
We further commit to remain educated on and involved in this issue as it develops and stand with LGBTQ students when they ask for our support. For further information on the history or how to help further, 'Like' us on Facebook at facebook.com/friendsofcuallies or visit our website at http://friendsofcuallies.wordpress.com/.
- The Catholic University of America
Support LGBTQ students by fostering a safe and welcoming campus at The Catholic University of America, so that the dignity and goodness of each person as made in God's image is unquestionably affirmed.
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