Board member's support of Proposition 8 impacts campus

By Caitlin MacIntyre     12/4/08 6:00pm

The passage of Proposition 8 in California, a ballot measure that stripped existing marriage rights from same-sex couples, was a painful and troubling moment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied people. For the fair minded and progressive members of the Rice community, this devastating measure signifies the reality that they, their families and their friends must continue to wait to be granted the same rights we are all guaranteed as citizens of America. Proposition 8 devalues the relationships and demeans the love of the gay and lesbian students in our classrooms who are forced to question when their partnerships will be given equal value to those of the students in the desks next to them. Straight allies are left with a sinking disappointment as they wait and wonder when they will see their friends or family members receive the benefits they themselves are freely given without question.

With students at Rice University feeling the pain of Proposition 8 and many even taking a stand and attending a protest in the Houston area to raise awareness, I was shocked and disheartened to discover that a member of the Rice Board of Trustees, Laurence E. Simmons, had donated $25,000 to help aid the passage of this discriminatory initiative. While the university touts the value of diversity and professes a commitment to creating a safe space for all people, a powerful leader in our community is undermining a group that is vital in making up this wonderful mosaic of unique perspectives and experiences - lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. When someone who makes decisions about where Rice is going and how the world will see us decides to participate in an effort to eliminate the civil rights of our own students and staff, not to mention countless other Americans, I must question if our commitment to diversity is nothing more than lip service.

While I completely understand Simmons has the right to donate money to anyone he pleases, I also think we as a community of students and faculty who are affected by the passage of this divisive proposition have the right to hold Simmons accountable as well. A donation of that size could have helped the "No on 8" campaign as it fought for families and sent a message that love has value no matter the gender of the parties involved. Simmons represents Rice and his actions certainly reflect upon the board, administration and our university as a whole. I am ashamed that my school is under the guidance of a man who apparently seeks to tear apart families, who devalues love and who would put the future happiness of some of our students in jeopardy. I am troubled that this man, who says the LGBT friends I live, eat, learn and spend my life with are not equal members of this community, is making decisions for my school. That is not acceptable to me and I hope it is unacceptable to Rice University.

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As co-president of Rice's Queers and Allies, I can speak for the group when I say this news is certainly unacceptable to us, and we believe it is our responsibility to take some sort of action. Please feel free to write a letter to Simmons and drop it off at the Queers and Allies office in the RMC, and we will make sure he gets it. I want an explanation. I want an assurance that my community, the LGBTQA community, is valued by the Rice Board of Trustees and our rights will be protected and our presence valued. I want this injustice corrected and our efforts focused on ending oppression rather than adding to it. I want all of our voices and identities to be valued by this university, regardless of who we love or who we are, and I certainly don't think that is too much to expect.

Caitlin MacIntyre is a Brown College junior and Queers and Allies co-president.

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