On Jan. 13, The Observer ran a terribly offensive comic implying gay bashing. I'm aware of the apology; however, viewing this comic made me extremely upset. As a proud member of the Notre Dame community, I am appalled. Notre Dame is about education, inclusion, acceptance and tradition. Notre Dame is expected to set a high standard, not a low one. What The Observer published is more than disappointing.
I am ashamed. As a gay alum, I have to deal with discrimination every day. I do not have equal rights as everyone else in this nation. The LGBT community is treated as a second-class citizen. Most people do not understand how laws such as Proposition 8 affect the people in this nation.
I want to know what The Observer and Notre Dame are going to do to help the LGBT community. The Observer's apology was not enough in my eyes. Awareness clearly needs to be raised. This comic not only alienates a part of the current student population, but also makes the university as a whole look bigoted and intolerant.
I hope The Observer and Notre Dame will work hard to teach understanding, caring, acceptance and love.
Bryan J. Guarnier
alumnus
Class of 2006
Jan. 15
