By Tracy Domingo
News Assistant
In his fight to get his controversial club, Students Against Homophobia, recognized, sophomore Grant Turck said he is not even close to giving up. In fact, ever since the University’s statement last Monday indicated they would not officially recognize the club, Turck’s efforts have grown even stronger.
And his labors aren’t going without notice.
The Los Angeles Times recently wrote an article about Turck’s attempt to start the club and the Malibu Times also picked up the story. Turck said he also spoke on KKLA talk radio and a variety of Web sites have shown interest in his story including advocate.com, the Web site for the national gay and lesbian newsmagazine.
However, Turck said throughout all the media attention and controversy he does not wish to be pitied.
“I do not consider myself a victim,” he said. “And I do not want people to think of me as one. The whole idea of SAH is not to create victims, and I want to fight for a good outcome, not just a good argument.”
However, University officials, who issued a statement stating SAH is not supportive of the University’s traditional Christian teachings regarding homosexuality, are not budging in their decision despite the negative press the University may receive.
“Our standards for recognizing clubs are clearly stated in the Student Organizations Handbook, and we’ll continue to follow them,” Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Mark Davis said.
Turck recognizes that the University probably will not change its mind on the issue, but said he is still baffled by administrators’ reasoning.
“I still think they don’t truly realize what they’re saying,” Turck said. “A lot of what they are saying is just in my opinion pure ignorance.”
Davis, however said the University and the goal of SAH have many things in common and urges to Turck to focus on things they hold in common rather than attempting to change school policy on sexual relationships.
“This is a time for building bridges,” Davis said. “We both believe that our campus needs open, honest dialogue about this issue. We both believe that hateful expressions or acts toward any student or group are wrong. All of us, regardless of our positions on homosexuality, must commit to treating each other with dignity and respect. We are all God’s children.”
However, just because the school will not recognize his club, the openly gay sophomore is not giving up the plight to put the message out in the open.
“I just wanted to unite the student body in one issue and educate the Pepperdine community about the dangers of homophobia,” Turck said. “I am now in the process of launching a Web site where students can get information and support and I am also in the process of getting SAH filed as an official non-profit organization.”
Senior Melani Bruce said she agrees with the message SAH is trying put forward, but understands the policy of the University.
“It’s a private campus and they have the right to take away some of the First Amendment freedoms enjoyed at public institutions,” Bruce said. “It’s a hard pill to swallow. When administrations say that homosexuality goes against its values, maybe they need to put in the guidebook that if you’re openly gay and you want to come here and expect full tolerance, you should think twice.”
Submitted February 26, 2004