Penn State students deny funding to anti-gay group

In a controversial decision, the six members of Pennsylvania State University's Undergraduate Supreme Court voted unanimously to deny funding to an anti-gay student organization. The opinion, released Tuesday, explained the court's reasons for refusing to fund Students Reinforcing Adherence in General Heterosexual Tradition (STRAIGHT), whose mission statement said the group is designed to "provide students with a forum to express their views regarding their refusal to accept or support homosexuality." Associate Justice and Penn State senior Jit Chatterjee explained that groups wishing to receive a share of the $1.1 million Penn State divides among its 425 student organizations each year must serve a unique purpose, have at least 12 members and "better" the university community. Chatterjee, who wrote the opinion, said STRAIGHT has approximately 40 members and its purpose is distinct from any other campus organization. But he explained that the court thought the group would not benefit the Penn State community because it is more anti-homosexual than pro-heterosexual and has no well-defined, long-term goals. "We didn't do the easiest thing," Chatterjee said. "We didn't do the most popular thing. We did the right thing." But STRAIGHT President and Penn State junior Darin Loccarini said the court applied a double standard to his organization. "It's hypocritical from start to finish," he said. "Things that don't apply to other organizations apply to us because of who we are opposing." Loccarini said the court violated his First Amendment right to freedom of speech, and noted that the university funds two pro-homosexual groups. He said he intends to appeal the decision in the university judicial system and the state courts if necessary. But Penn State spokesperson Christie Rambeau said that the ruling does not violate First Amendment rights. "This is not a freedom of speech issue," she said. "Anti-gays are free to have group meetings and they can say whatever they want. The court just decided STRAIGHT was not an appropriate organization to fund." STRAIGHT has generated controversy at Penn State since Loccarni decided to form an organization of like-minded heterosexuals last semester. Loccarni said his organization is political and does not condone violence. But members of the Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Student Association feared the group would promote hatred of homosexuals on the 40,000-person campus. And Chatterjee said the court felt STRAIGHT "would have created much bitterness and tension in the Penn State community."