Gays, straights, and everyone in between found something to take offense at this semester, as LGBT issues caused affronts on all sides.
While an alleged assault on a gay man and a controversial panel on the health risks of homosexuality shocked the LGBT community and its allies, several chalkings on Coming Out Day were labeled offensive and inappropriate by some administrators.
On Oct. 27, the Tufts Republicans co-sponsored a panel of three experts, who examined homosexuality from the conservative standpoint.
"Public health should discourage homosexual behavior," according to panelist Dr. John Diggs, who said homosexuality is a community health risk. "There are only heterosexual people, and homosexual problems."
Students and professors expressed indignation at the panel, during which openly gay English Professor Jonathan Strong asked, "how is my existence so terrifying to you people?" Police officers were called in anticipation of a protest.
Earlier in October, junior Terry Levine accused another student of physically and verbally assaulting him for being a homosexual. Levine and several witnesses said sophomore Reshawn Branch told Levine "you look like a fucking fag," and proceeded to physically assault him.
The LGBT community also shocked the University with some of its Coming Out Day chalkings. The event's organizers denied any involvement with a chalking saying "a lot of gays work in Admissions," with which the administration took offense.
Dean of Students Bruce Reitman called the chalking "profanity" and had it erased, but no further action was taken.
Away from controversy, in late September,the TCU Senate and LGBT worked together to pass a resolution that urged "the University to add 'gender identity and expression' to the nondiscrimination policy," according to TCU Senator Matt Pohl.
