Pro-vegan nonprofit, Peace Advocacy Network, just published this open-letter to Villanova University in regards to their recent homophobic actions:
Dear Villanova University,
It is with deep sorrow that this letter must even be constructed, but we simply cannot ignore the blatant discrimination we have recently observed. Of course, we are referring to your decision to rescind the invitation you offered performance artist, Tim Miller, to conduct a workshop on diversity at your school.
You claim that the workshop, which you admitted was free of nudity and sexual content, was “not in keeping” with the “values and mission” of Villanova. Surely, these workshops were not against the values and mission of DePaul University, the nation’s largest Catholic university, when Miller conducted them there.
We are now forced to wonder, exactly what are the values and mission of Villanova University? To your own admission, some of your mission and values include, “to build a just and peaceful world,” “supports individual differences,” “respect for the differences among peoples and cultures,” and “always welcoming people from all faiths, cultures and traditions to contribute their gifts and talents to our mission.”
Since you have declined to explain exactly why you excluded Mr. Miller, one can only deduce that this decision is, in part, based on his sexual orientation. We urge you to consider what this decision really does say about the mission and values of Villanova. It’s not only damaging to the LGBT community, but also downright offensive to any person who is committed to fairness, equality, and compassion.
This comes at a time when the plight of the LGBT community has finally become a mainstream concern and also at a time where legal and social equality are quickly becoming accepted as the morally right thing to do. Even so, there is still much work to be done for this community and for those who have no choice but to face a myriad of discrimination, violence and hatred on a daily basis.
Perhaps you may wish to consider how people will look back on this decision in years to come, as equality continues to advance. It’s disturbing to consider that a university that prides itself on “love and knowledge,” would openly discriminate against a minority at a time when the members of that minority have it so bad, they’re sadly committing suicide. Is this really the kind of message you want to be your legacy?
If this is truly the message you wish to relay to the next generation of adults you are fostering, then we have a long road ahead of us, as we will continue to fight hatred and discrimination so long as it exists. We hope this letter has, at the very least, caused you to ponder whether or not this is the morally correct decision, and we urge you to reassess this situation with an open mind and an open heart.
With kindness and compassion for all,
-Peace Advocacy Network
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