Morehouse president says he'll discuss gay issues

Morehouse College president Walter Massey vowed to talk and listen to students who've complained that administrators at the all-male, historically black college in Atlanta are avoiding dealing with the campus culture that led to the homophobic beating of a student earlier this month. "Homophobia is not a new topic at Morehouse," Massey said Friday. "Only by having people share their experiences can we understand how best to adjust our programs to ensure that we clearly convey the message that no violent or abusive behavior of any kind is acceptable or will be tolerated at Morehouse." Sophomore Aaron Price was charged with aggravated assault for the baseball bat beating of a sophomore who Price said looked at him too long in the shower. The victim, a sophomore music student and member of the college glee club, suffered a fractured skull and had to undergo emergency surgery. Since the beating, students say their effort to discuss campus homophobia in public forums have been quashed at least twice. Last Monday officials canceled a forum to talk about the issue and last Tuesday announced the suspension of Student Government Association activities for the rest of the semester because of their "blatant disregard of the agreement...to postpone the Meeting of the Minds program on homophobia," according to a letter from the Morehouse campus life department. Massey reinstated the SGA Friday and agreed to allow them to speak during a campus-only forum scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday. Price was released from the Fulton County jail on November 4 on $10,000 bond. Morehouse officials said Price had been expelled. The 19-year-old could receive up to 20 years if convicted.