04 pres. retracts e-mail statement

Class of 2004 President Simone Chen formally apologized to her class and the Diverse Sexuality and Gender Alliance (DSAGA) Tuesday for a comment she made in a Class of 2004 e-mail that some deemed insensitive. In the e-mail, sent earlier on Tuesday, Chen noted "Common myths concerning [the light blue] class t-shirts," and said that one misconception was "Light blue is gay," and that this was false because "Light blue is a very masculine color and is definitely 'in' this spring."

In an apology e-mail to the sophomore class, Chen stated, in part: "I'd like to apologize for a comment that was made in a recent class e-mail concerning the color of the class t-shirts. I realize that it was offensive for me to call it 'gay.' It was an inappropriate and irresponsible action on my part; I really had no malicious intent when writing it nor do I hold any discriminatory feelings toward that homosexual population."

Chen echoed the statements in an e-mail to DSAGA members, saying, "Even though I meant no disrespect, it was an offensive, and extremely inappropriate remark that was made, and I realize how irresponsible and unprofessional it was of me... I honestly had no ill intent in writing what I did, and I will try to be more sensitive to the issue from now on."

Chen did not return telephone messages. Chen's original e-mail caught the attention of DSAGA Director of Operations Jonathan Groce, who e-mailed the entire DSAGA mailing list to gauge their reaction.

"The consensus, from the e-mails I have collected, is that the comment is potentially offensive to students, especially those that identify as GLBTQ [Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer]," said Groce.

Groce also emphasized that he believed Chen's comment to be innocent in its nature and that he doesn't wish anyone to attack her for it. Groce said that he didn't think Chen meant to be offensive, but still felt the need to take action.

"I respect Simone's apology, and my original intent [in writing e-mails to others] was to call attention to latent homophobia that plagues society," Groce said.

Said Director of Student Involvement and Student Council adviser Dr. Bill Smedick: "[Her] apology sounded sincere and it needed to be. I thought [the apology] was appropriate and I'm glad she did it."

Smedick also said he thought Chen's apology was "timely" and "heartfelt."

Chen's comment and subsequent apology comes at a time when intolerance is at the forefront of campus issues. In response to the recent tearing down and defacing of cultural groups' posters, Dean of Student Life Susan Boswell and University Chaplain Sharon Kugler sent out an e-mail to students on Monday asking the community to be more sensitive and tolerant.

In the e-mail, Boswell and Kugler said, "It has come to our attention repeatedly over the course of the last few days that a number of posters/flyers for both Hillel/JSA events and MSA/MESA events have been defaced or taken down."

"We must somehow get to a place where we hold ourselves accountable for our own behavior," the dean and chaplain wrote, "knowing through and through that we must treat our sisters and brothers as we would want to be treated ourselves. This is what we are asking you to remind yourselves to do as members of one human family."

Groce hopes the incident will spark greater awareness.

"Think about all the young women and men who are afraid to come out or accept their identities because of constant innocent jokes such as 'That's so gay,'" said Groce. "Many people may shrug this off and choose to laugh at a phrase that means 'that's so weird." However, when we associate 'gay' with 'weird,' it essentially demonizes homosexuality, and moves to outcast alternative sexual orientations.