Gay rights group banned from recruiting

AUSTIN (AP/KXAN) - A private, Roman Catholic liberal arts college in Austin has barred a gay-rights group from participating in a campus fair to recruit volunteers.

The Austin American-Statesman reported Tuesday that St. Edward's University said the homosexual group's support for same-sex marriage conflicts with church teachings.

Chuck Smith with Austin-based Equality Texas said they will not participate in the volunteer fair but that St. Edward's students are welcome to intern at the nonprofit.

A statement from the Holy Cross institution in South Austin said the matter is closed.

Meanwhile, St. Edward's has given its blessing to a gay rights organization for students called Pride.

School spokeswoman Mischelle Diaz said the support group exists as a means of pastoral outreach.

Here's the statement from the university:

St. Edward’s University recently declined a request by Equality Texas - an organization that advocates for a change to the Texas Constitution allowing for same sex marriage - for participation in a non-profit volunteer fair sponsored by the university’s Office of Campus Ministry. During the past several days the university has attempted to explain its decision on this matter. However, it has become obvious there are still misunderstandings that must be addressed and clarified.

In order to clarify several points of miscommunication that have entered the public conversation on this matter, we offer the following points:

• The volunteer fair is an event sponsored by Campus Ministry in which students are encouraged to volunteer their time with the participating organizations. As a Catholic university, St. Edward’s must ensure that those organizations provide opportunities that do not conflict with Catholic Church teachings.
• Equality Texas and St. Edward’s do share a number of viewpoints, including belief in the importance of work that aims to eliminate unjust discrimination and violence against any and all people and groups.
• There are, however, some viewpoints on which the Catholic Church differs in philosophy from Equality Texas. One of those is same sex marriage. Equality Texas clearly states that they support an amendment to the Texas Constitution to repeal the current provision that limits the definition of marriage as being the union of one man and one woman.
• By requesting participation in the volunteer fair Equality Texas is asking the university’s Office of Camus Ministry to facilitate recruitment of students for work that includes advocacy for same sex marriage. This is not something we can agree to.
• If individuals at St. Edward’s through a process of personal discernment decide that they want to work for Equality Texas, or any other organization, they are of course free to do so.
• St. Edward’s respects the right of Equality Texas to advocate on this issue, and others, but as a Catholic university, we cannot be expected to endorse an organization that advocates on issues so clearly inconsistent with Catholic Church teachings.
• In its hiring and admissions processes, St. Edward’s does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap or disability. All members of our university community are invited to participate fully in our diverse campus life. We believe that those who are familiar with the St. Edward’s community know it to be diverse, accepting and encouraging of all diversity.
• Throughout our long history members of this university community have respected one another even when we occasionally disagree. It is our hope that we learn from our differences and gain greater understanding of each other. This is and will continue to be a hallmark of St. Edward’s University.