I am deeply disappointed by the SAO's apparent response to the current request for a gay-straight alliance.
Ms. Hnatusko, the director of student activities for programming, was quoted in the recent Observer article "Gay-straight alliance asks University for official recognition" (Mar. 5) as saying "It remains the viewpoint of the Student Activities Office that due to the sufficiently complex nature of the issue, the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning students can best be met through the structures that are currently in place."
With all respect, I find this statement condescending and offensive. Notre Dame students are intelligent, mature adults who are capable of making their own decisions. Who is the SAO to decide what students need?
If the GLBTQ community is satisfied with the "structures that are currently in place," if its needs are being met, then why does it continue to petition for a GSA? Why would students continue to ask for a safe space on campus if they didn't need one? The needs of GLBTQ students and their allies on this campus are clearly not being met.
I hope the SAO takes the time to consider Sam Costanzo's request for an official GSA, keeping in consideration that the Church preaches that all people are God's children, equally deserving of love and dignity, and this includes everyone at Notre Dame.
Jessica Kohn
junior
Lewis Hall
Mar. 6
