I’ve received a few student concerns regarding Caitlin Malone’s article in our recent Pride Issue (“Can We Co-Exist?| A Christian’s View on Homosexuality: Acceptance Without Hate”) and would like to address them here.
I’ll start off by saying that if anyone would like to discuss this in person, I’d be happy to meet with you and the top editors along with Professor John Capouya, our adviser, to address any concerns and explain our reasoning behind our content.
I will say, we had a lot of debate in the newsroom regarding Caitlin’s article. One editor in particular who is bisexual did not want it to run and thought it was offensive, as I see many also feel. However, the majority of us felt it was important to include Caitlin’s opinion, including our adviser whose opinion I respect dearly. He’s a former editor to such publications as The New York Times and Newsweek and we always look to him for advice on issues such as these.
By calling this the Pride Issue, we have most definitely taken a stance regarding LGBTQ rights. I came up with this theme for the magazine in honor of my sister (who I wrote about in the issue) and best friend who are both lesbians, both of whom have faced adversity because of their sexualities whether in coming out or in adopting, as my sister is trying to do.
As a staff, the majority of us are in support of LGBTQ rights. But as a newspaper, one which holds itself to the standards of a professional news publication, it would be biased and in poor news judgement for us to deny that there are other opinions out there. Participating in The Minaret is a real-world experience for how to operate a newspaper, so we hold ourselves to the standards of professional publications revered in the media world. And the hope for this issue was to represent LGBTQ rights, culture and the opinions circulating around it in full. Yes, it is called the Pride Issue because we wanted to dedicate this issue to the LGBTQ community both at UT and around Tampa. The rest of the issue features uplifting content promoting LGBTQ rights and culture, which I even addressed in my opening editor’s note.
As I wrote in my editor’s note, gay rights are the civil rights of our time. Unfortunately, we are still arguing over these fundamental human rights to be able to love and marry whomever we want. It all seems absurd to me, but it’s a debate that’s taken over our nation, and there are so many viewpoints. As a staff, we don’t want to fall prey to the biased reporting seen in networks such as MSNBC and Fox. We want to be fair and give all viewpoints a chance to be heard. We do that through our opinion columns, which do not at all represent the paper as a whole, but just the individual writer. Our editorials, which lack a byline, are the only opinion that represents the entire staff.
I disagree with Caitlin’s opinion, but I respect her for writing it knowing that she’d face much backlash from the UT community as she already has. I will say, however, the focus of Caitlin’s article is not aimed towards her disagreement with LGBTQ culture and rights, but rather aimed to show one can disagree with it without promoting hate such as the Westboro Baptist Church does. She doesn’t agree with harassment, torture and bullying, all forms of hate and bigotry which she condemns. She respects all in the gay community; she just doesn’t agree with the lifestyle. I know that’s a hard thing to swallow, but at the crux of it all, it’s her opinion and her belief, and we dedicate an entire section of our paper to student opinions on a range of issues every week. The Minaret is a student-run newspaper, and we encourage all students to come write for us. We aim to fill our opinion section with diverse opinions because that’s how we can best represent the student body as a whole.
And Caitlin’s opinion is still representative of many others, including students and faculty attending our university, some of whom I’ve spoken to regarding the column. I don’t want to alienate a portion of our student body and faculty by only representing one side. That’s bias. And I know this is a Pride Issue, but we can’t call ourselves a serious publication if we print only one side to an issue. As our former adviser Dan Reimold once said, “There are seven sides to every story.”
As far as the issue of “choice,” my opinion is aligned with all of those who have expressed concern on Caitlin’s column. As I said to my editor, how anyone could think sexuality is a choice is beyond me, especially considering people are killing themselves because of bullying, harassment, lack of acceptance and embarrassment because of their sexuality. I’ve seen this myself in my best friend’s struggle to come out to her family. However, the issue of choice lies in the nature vs. nurture argument grounded in sociology, an argument that’s also debated coinciding with LGBTQ rights. And in Caitlin’s opinion, it’s a person’s choice.
I’ve spoken to my sister and best friend since hearing these concerns. My editors have spoken to others in the gay community at UT. Many of these people we have interacted with have supported our decision to run Caitlin’s article, understanding the journalistic reason behind it and respecting her opinion, though disagreeing with it.
To add another perspective, my sister, her wife and their son live in Polk County, a very conservative county here in our state. They have a Catholic friend who has openly expressed he doesn’t think they should be allowed to be married. My sister disagrees with him, of course, but respects that’s his opinion and respects his religion. They are still friends despite that.
I think in a world, especially our nation, where there is such a diversity of opinions, it’s important that we respect one another for our diverse opinions. We certainly don’t have to agree, nor do we have to be happy about opinions that conflict with ours, but in striving for acceptance (as I know all do in the LGBTQ community and I do as an advocate for LGBTQ rights), I think we also have to accept and respect the diverse and conflicting opinions that surround ours.
It’s upsetting to me to hear that this issue has offended some of you. I assure you, our intent was earnest. Myself and my editorial staff are incredibly pro LGBTQ and did this issue in honor of the LGBTQ community. But we can’t abandon the principles of our job and of journalism. I would hope that the other content, much of which was incredibly uplifting and positive, is not ignored in this controversy. We did this with the best intentions, including publishing Caitlin’s article, and I hope my explanation has conveyed that in some way.
I, and much of my editorial staff and adviser, stand by the choice to publish Caitlin’s article and will always strive to represent student opinions on all topics.
Thank you to the students and faculty who have expressed their concern. We are always open to feedback as we constantly strive to make The Minaret better. We will be running letters to the editor online for any concerns on content as we want all voices to be heard, including students and faculty concerned about the content we run.
As I said before, if you’d like to discuss this further with me or any other editors, I’d be glad to meet with you in our offices.
Thank you,
Jessica Keesee
Editor-in-Chief | The Minaret
Meigan Montoya. I am very confused after reading you’re comment. Nowhere in Caitlin’s article does she talk about the dehumanization of the gays. Please show me where in her article that she says “but they aren’t human, and should not be treated equally.” I’ll answer this for you, she doesn’t. I have no idea how you can even say, “This article supports the denial of basic human rights to an entire group of people.” Nowhere in the article does she show hatred against the gays. She shows information based off of what her religion has taught her. She agrees with it, but she still respects people that are gay. She also talks about the WBC, but she is not a member of that church. If she was, and talked about the glory of being a member of that church, then you may have a valid argument.
Meigan, Andrew, etc.
I think first and foremost you two are forgetting that The Minaret is a NEWS source. It is not a magazine (despite the format of several issues put out per year), it is not a tabloid, and it is not some random blog off in cyberspace. The job of a NEWSpaper is to report all sides of an issue, and that is what including Caitlyn’s piece did. If ANYTHING, there should have been more articles with opposing views to balance out the content of this issue. Yes, it is a ‘pride’ issue, but I think what you are forgetting is that this is still a newspaper. As far as “hatred” I have no idea where you are getting that from in Caitlyn’s article. She simply said she “peacefully objects.” I think you two are so far ‘left’ in terms of open-mindedness on the liberal spectrum, that you have actually closed your minds to others that are not necessarily as “open minded” as you are, thus creating a bit of a paradox. If you are so open minded and tolerant, then what is wrong with a Christian voicing their opinion on the matter? (Remember, this is a newspaper.) Joseph R and Ed seem to be rational on this topic, why can’t you two?
Andrew Golden
Everyone is entitled to there own opinions. Nowhere in her article does she say people are evil for being gay, or she hates people that are gay. She actually says that she peacefully objects to people that are gay. What is wrong with that? She has her opinion and you have yours. Its not like she’s taking shots at you for being gay, she says that she peacefully objects.
As for you talking about going to the Dean of Students, I have no idea what you intend on achieving from doing that. Someone wrote an article in the schools newspaper that is against your views, so they must be banished from the school? Come on dude, I’m sure you’re better than that
As for the article in general, I would like to commend Caitlin for writing it. She expressed her views on a controversial topic and I feel that she did so in a peaceful way. I think more of you need to step back and take “the class” (common sense)
Jessica,
I commend you as an editor for taking the time to write such an eloquent response to the community. As a former Minaret editor-in-chief (2005-2007), there will be times when the community disagrees with you, curses you, asks for your head on a platter, and screams that you have no business running a student newspaper that is supposed to represent the student body. The fierce disavowal by others may want to make you cry, run, feel defeated, or lose faith in the UT community or the greater American community. Don’t let that happen. Follow your heart and mind. A good newspaper challenges public opinion, expresses different viewpoints, and does so with quality and thought, which is what it seems like you, your editors, and your adviser did. It’s not always comfortable or easy. But it will pass and things will work out.
Caitlin,
I don’t agree with your opinion, but you have a right to have that opinion and it’s an opinion that is representative of a population. Just because the LGBT community does not agree with it does not necessarily make it “hate speech” or hateful. Follow your heart and mind, listen to others (don’t have to agree), and make sure your heart is the heart you want to have. But be true to yourself, which it seems like you have been.
Congratulations both of you for being willing to put uncomfortable and challenging opinions out there.
There have been many opinions voiced regarding this particular article. Those promoting it from a journalistic standpoint, those showing a passionate distaste for the article, those bashing the article and questioning its presence in the first place.
I am an openly gay man here at UT, and I was initially overjoyed to see a “Pride” issue of The Minaret. I then heard about this article in particular. I was enraged. I questioned why it was put in, what seemed to be, a publication promoting support of the LGBTQ community. I read, and then re-read the article, seeing the biblical verses,seeing Caitlin’s argument and trying to appreciate Caitlin’s opinion. In the end I came to my own conclusion.
I passed through every state of emotion and feeling that I’ve witnessed from the students here at UT regarding this article and this specific publication, from anger, to acceptance. I’ve read the responses, and the points, and the counterpoints, and the enraged inflammatory e-mails, and I’ve come to my own conclusion. I do NOT agree with the article’s placement nor its content. I do NOT agree with the author’s opinion, and I intend to meet with the Dean of Students to discuss this as well. But, ladies and gentlemen, while I have formed my own opinion, and will stick by it, I feel that we as a student body owe it to ourselves to take a few steps back and attempt to form a more logical and moderate opinion.
Action and discussion are required here, as is expected with any “controversial” or (for lack of a better term) “hot button” topic. But no progress, no understanding, no RESOLUTION can be expected to be reached if we do not allow ourselves to view all sides of the situation, wholly and fully, before we form our own opinion. Once our opinion is formed, we should voice it, in a calm, logical, non-inflammatory, and productive manner. No progress will be gained in any disagreement where we allow our emotions to take control, which I feel, is the most important lesson that we can learn from this situation. Support your opinion after you form it, Caitlin certainly did, but do NOT allow your anger to enter in to your expression of your distaste, you do no one justice by that.
I commend Ms. Keesee for her editor’s letter, even though she should not have had to write it in the first place.
This in no way is about hate. Think about it people, if their intention was to promote hate they would not have published an issue devoted to LGBT Pride in the first place.
I have read Caitlan Milone’s article several times and respect her for having the courage to express her opinion. I think it’s extreme to say that it denigrates or detracts from the overall theme of the magazine and find it even more ludicrous to believe that it would perpetuate an uncomfortable feeling on campus.
Lastly, as a gay man myself, I find the attitudes of many in my community to be appalling. We talk about how we want to be treated the same way–like ordinary people, right? How are we being any better by being hateful and judgmental ourselves? I didn’t see any religious groups claiming that the pro-LGBT articles offended them, even though it goes against their personal beliefs.
I implore all of you to take a step back and breathe. This is a student run newspaper that I can tell has worked very hard to put this magazine together. Believe me, I know the struggles of being discriminated against–it’s tough. But we should not be so quick to flare our tempers at ONE article with ONE person’s opinion.
Thank you.
“Caitlin’s article is not aimed towards her disagreement with LGBTQ culture and rights, but rather aimed to show one can disagree with it without promoting hate such as the Westboro Baptist Church does. She doesn’t agree with harassment, torture and bullying, all forms of hate and bigotry which she condemns. She respects all in the gay community; she just doesn’t agree with the lifestyle.”
This is a hypocritical statement. You cannot justify the dehumanization of an entire group of people by denying them their rights, simply by claiming it isn’t harmful because it isn’t physical or verbal harassment. You cannot claim, “I respect all in the gay community” and simultaneously say, “but they aren’t human, and should not be treated equally.”
Caitlin is more than entitled to her opinion. She is fully within her rights to stand against gay rights. She should not have been permitted to do so under the pretense of supporting gay pride as this issue stood to do. Her article did not belong in a PRIDE edition of this magazine. Or any edition of this magazine. Her article offends many–Christians (especially considering she does not explain which branch of Christianity she is representing), Allies (such as myself) and LGBTQA alike. This article supports the denial of basic human rights to an entire group of people, and creates an uncomfortable (at best, unsafe at it’s worst) environment on this campus, which goes against our very code of ethics.
I intend to be at the meeting with the Dean of Students concerning this matter, but this had to be said due to the fact that this has been posted online now. This was never about opinion–this was about hatred, poorly disguised as tolerance, all pretending to be acceptance.