Students at Georgetown University have been unsuccessful thus far in their attempt to sanction a pro-abstinence, pro-traditional marriage group on campus despite complaints that the group promotes "hatred” and “intolerance.”
The crusade against the Love Saxa group at Georgetown began after the president of the group penned an allegedly controversial article titled “Confessions of a College Virgin.” In the piece, Amelia Irvine wrote about Love Saxa’s mission of promoting healthy relationships. Irvine also mentioned Love Saxa holds a position on marriage that “does not include same-sex couples, as we believe that marriage is a conjugal union on every level – emotional, spiritual, physical and mental – directed toward caring for biological children.”
The Washington Post reports two students then issued a complaint against Love Saxa by arguing the group’s purpose violates the university standards against fostering “hatred or intolerance of others because of their race, nationality, gender, religion or sexual preference.” The complaint was made by Jasmin Ouseph and Chad Gasman, who serves as the president of Georgetown University Pride. The complaint also won the support of the Hoya’s editorial board, which called for defunding the “intolerance.”
The Hoya now reports that on Friday, the Student Activities Commission voted 8-4 to recommend no action against Love Saxa.
However, the decision by the Student Activities Commission is not final. The university director of student engagement, Amanda Carlton, can make her own decision whether to accept or reject the students’ vote. The students behind the complaint against Love Saxa have already appealed to Carlton. If Carlton chooses to go along with the decision by the Student Activities Commission, her decision can ultimately be appealed again to the vice president of student affairs, Todd Olson.
At the heart of the complaint is the fact that Georgetown is a Jesuit college, and the group contends that is merely following Catholic teachings.
Love Saxa receives $250 from the university and is allowed to reserve rooms for events, which some students charge are a meeting ground for “homophobic” and “dehumanizing” positions.
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