Catholic college
kills pro-gay AIDS fund-raiser

After committing to create a more welcoming environment for LGBT students earlier this year, Boston College, a Roman Catholic institution, has abruptly canceled a gay dance that was to serve as an HIV/AIDS fund-raiser. The cancellation follows months of preparation for the AIDS Benefit Gala: A Celebration of Diversity.

School spokesman Jack Dunn told the college's newspaper that the institution "cannot sanction an event that is exclusive and that promotes a lifestyle that is in conflict with church teaching and the Jesuit, Catholic mission and heritage of Boston College." As a Catholic, and specifically Jesuit, university, Boston College follows church doctrine strictly. The Vatican recently released a statement saying it "cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture.'"

While Boston College administrators have been slow to address gay and lesbian issues, the school's students have acted swiftly. Following a vote in March in which over 80% of the school's students voted to support equal rights for gays and lesbians and an April protest where nearly 1,000 people rallied for LGBT rights, the college adopted a nondiscrimination policy that promised to be more welcoming of gay students. The school, though, refused to say discrimination against gay students would not be tolerated. (Advocate.com)