This seems like as good a time as any to discuss something other than Iraq.’ I’ve been ranting single-mindedly about the war for weeks now, and it’s getting repetitive.’ It’s on every television channel and on the cover of every magazine, so this week it will take up no more space in my column.
For my radical change of pace I want to discuss something which melds other political issues with campus happenings.’ I’ll start with a rhetorical question: What is Diversity?’ Is it a rainbow of skin colors?’ A recognition of the variety in December holidays? Respect for the customs and idiosyncracies of others?’ Of course it is all the above, but Diversity is not just a racial issue.’ Diversity is present in ethnicity, age, religion, socio-econmic status, gender expression- and lest we should forget- sexual orientation.
The regional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Confereence planned for Stony Brook this past weekend was forced to postpone due to a lack of funding.’ It will now be held in November.’ This event, which included speakers and presenters of all orientations (straight, gay, bi, trans, queer) and from all backgrounds (Latina, Caucasian, African-American, Asian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim), had something from and for everyone. This event had on the bill some of the biggest names in Queer Theory and Gender Studies.’ These headliners may not seem like a big deal to Stony Brook readers, but rest assured, their area of study is of intense academic interest in other parts of the country.
This conference, which was sponsored by numerous clubs and organizations on campus and given full support by the Student Activities Center, applied for a Presidential Mini-Grant (any regional conference with big-name speakers is an expensive proposition, but SUNY Albany manages every year, so why not Stony Brook?)’ The big shock came to the organizers when the conference was denied any funding.’ Out of a possible $10,000, they got nothing, zilch.’ And the justification for this lack of support?’ The conference’s aims apparently “do not fit the long term intent of the departmental mini-grants.”‘ I guess a program like this just doesn’t display the type of diversity Stony Brook likes to show.
How could a program dealing with a sexual minority featuring racial and gender minorities not be diverse?’ I am left to ponder other, less politically correct alternatives for exclusion.’ Is the conference being denied funding perhaps because it is a queer event?’ Because homosexuality is still anathema to many conservative and religiously minded individuals?’ Because some would see this event as condoning or promoting an alternative lifestyle?’ Because homophobia is alive and well in the United States?’ I’m thinking perhaps yes.’
Perhaps Stony Brook is not quite as progressive as we would like to think.’ Not as accepting as November’s “Diversity of Lifestyle Month” would suggest.’ Perhaps it is still just not quite comfortable with several hundred not quite straight individuals wandering around on campus.
I’m not going to throw around the big d-word here (discrimination, of course) because there are any number of reasons which could have influenced the funding decisions.’ And if someone could give me a blow-by-blow of the committee discussions which preceded this refusal and a list of valid reasons and hard facts I would be happy to retract my less than subtle innuendo.’ Until that time, however, I am left to ponder the definition which Stony Brook gives to diversity, and why it seems so incompatible with real world individuality.
