Heated Debate at LGBT Panel/Counter YAF Event

A broad coalition of Michigan State University student groups, with the sponsorship of the Department of Residence Life and Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions, met last night in response to recent programs on campus organized by Young Americans for Freedom (YAF). Gay rights groups including PRISM and RING hosted an educational panel intended to counter and promote discussion about YAF and a recent speech by one of its student leader on the “Born Gay Hoax.” The event also provided an alternative to the YAF anti-gay rally occurring at the same time at a different location on campus.  Over 100 people attended, and after their presentations, panelists found themselves engaging in heated discussion with many of the attendees over the best responses to YAF’s strident anti-gay message.

Panel Moderator David Jaques told Michigan Messenger that student groups were pleased with the interest shown on campus in supporting a safe and comfortable learning environment for gay students and their allies. Most attending remarked with considerable emotion when discussion turned to a recent series of YAF posters on campus that equated homosexuality with AIDS. Julica Herman, with the Office of Residence Life, told the crowd that the mission of last night’s events was to create a “peaceful, provocative event” that would attract attention as well as demonstrate to YAF that MSU students were supportive of gay rights on campus. Ryan Webster, a panelist with the University LGBT Concerns office, was more bluntly dismissive of YAF. He told the audience that YAF leader Ryan Sorba’s claims of a “born gay hoax” were “ridiculous.” “Is there a ‘born with chest hair hoax’?” he asked, to laughter and cheers from the boisterous audience.

Attendees were treated to several video selections from Sorba’s recent campus speech blasting the “gay agenda.” During the question and answer session, angry students demanded to know why the University allowed what they called “clear hate speech” and “bigoted intolerance” to flourish on campus and enjoy the financial support of the University. “Why is YAF a Recognized Student group?” one member of the Young Democratic Socialists mused. Another audience member described efforts by several University groups to have YAF’s recognized status revoked, which she described as a lengthy but ongoing process. But Julica Herman counseled the audience to support broad interpretations of campus policy on free speech, telling audience members that discussion and public scrutiny were more effective tools to counter hate. The overflow crowd kept panelists busy late into the night with questions and discussion, which turned to the differences between “organic” student groups and those with off-campus connections. More vocal students wondered about the political agenda behind YAF’s campus efforts, and noted other YAF activities on other campuses around the nation. Ryan Webster described much of what YAF had done at MSU so far as “campus marketing,” and compared much of their message to advertising, and not scholarship. “You can look it up yourself,” he told the audience, speaking of the paucity of supporting scholarship of Sorba’s claims. Panelists and attendees had an extended and heated exchange about the academic reputation of the University, and how it could suffer as a result from continued affilation with YAF. Panelist Webster also noted that in the past, direct confrontation counter-demonstrations against YAF had proven unsuccessful, which is why he preferred this evening’s format. More discussion and education were taking place here, he said, and the last time a large coalition organized a direct confrontation at a promoted YAF event, “they (YAF) didn’t show.”