|
(Vallejo, California) As students at the Touro University College Of Osteopathic Medicine
gathered to protest a ban on the school's Gay-Straight Alliance the institution
announced it was all a big mistake.
The controversy began late last week when Vice
President and Dean of Students Nathan Church told the group that the Jewish
college had revoked funding for the GSA and that it was barred from using the
university's name in promoting itself.
The organization was told by Church that
homosexuality goes against the university's religious values.
The students said they were stunned by the
announcement and threatened to walk out of classes Monday. A rally was quickly
organized for Monday and at least two members of the Vallejo city council
threatened to tie up building projects the college has planned.
But as about 50 students gathered for the rally
university Provost and Chief Executive Harvey Kaye issued a statement saying
there had been a misunderstanding.
"In my capacity as provost, I apologize on
behalf of the university that this controversy has arisen, and trust that my
letter will lay this matter to rest," Kaye said.
He did not indicate how Church had come to the
conclusion the GSA would no longer be supported.
Under California law discrimination against gays
students is illegal and several high schools have been sued for attempting to
bar gay student groups.
Prior to the university's about turn nationals
organizations representing gays in the medical field and at medical schools
denounced the banning of the GSA.
“Modeling
discriminatory attitudes in medical education perpetuates fear and
discrimination against LGBT people generally and undermines the health of LGBT
patients," Joel Ginsberg of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association said in
a statement.
The GSA at Touro was formed in 2002.
Last October a similar dispute over a gay support
club at New York Medical College was resolved after students agreed not to use
the word 'gay' in the organization's name. (story)
NYMC is affiliated with the Archdiocese of New
York.
©365Gay.com 2006
|
Entertainment
