Colorado students file lawsuit

The College Republicans Group of Colorado claims that its message represents college Republican groups throughout the country. But according to Penn College Republicans President Dan Debicella, that may not be the case. The Colorado group is filing a lawsuit against three colleges because they will not recognize student groups that discriminate against gays and lesbians. The lawsuit claims that the entire ideology of the College Republicans would change if the group followed those colleges' policies. But Debicella disagreed, noting that the Penn College Republicans constitution "says nothing" about homosexuals. In fact, its recently adopted platform contains a statement opposing "all discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation, including quota laws." Debicella said this clause shows the difference between the University's chapter and the Colorado group. "I think this clearly shows that Penn College Republicans is against discrimination in any form," he added. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Alliance Co-Chairperson Rob Faunce said he was impressed by the Penn College Republican's policy. "I'm really proud that our own College Republicans on this campus does not support this stance," the College junior said. But despite the University chapter's constitutional position, Debicella said Penn College Republicans will not officially respond to or denounce the Colorado group's statements. And Faunce, a Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, said he was disappointed in that decision. "I would like to see other College Republican groups, especially one as enlightened as ours seems to be, to boldly state that their compatriots in Colorado are ill-founded," Faunce said. Currently, administrations of the three Colorado schools -- Colorado State University, the University of Northern Colorado and the Metropolitan State College of Denver -- refuse to recognize the Colorado College Republicans as an official student organization since it will not pledge to follow non-discrimination policies. The Colorado chapter claims that its First Amendment rights are being infringed upon because it is being forced to accept homosexuals into its membership. Debicella said he thinks the Colorado College Republicans' stance is wrong. "I don't think government belongs in the bedroom," he said. "While I do not support gay marriages, I do not think that anyone has the right to tell anyone else what to do with their sex life." The lawsuit, which is being filed in U.S. District Court, is requesting an injunction that will require the schools to give Colorado's College Republicans full recognition, including office space in campus buildings. The Rocky Mountain News contributed to this story.