Seton Mischaracterized Council in Letter

To the editors:

In his April 4 letter, Undergraduate Council President Noah Z. Seton '00 tries to deflect criticism of his administration, specifically regarding the recent ROTC bill. But in defending himself, Seton seriously mischaracterizes both the nature of the debate and the content of the final bill.

Although Seton claims that the bill was not meant to be apolitical, supporters of the bill referred several times to efforts to depoliticize the bill. They repeatedly claimed that the bill was about student services, rather than political issues.

Seton further writes that the final version of the bill contains language condemning the military's so-called "don't ask, don't tell" policy of excluding homosexuals from serving openly in the military. In fact, the council rejected a strongly worded amendment that would have explicitly condemned the policy. Instead, the final bill merely states that the council does not endorse the military's exclusionary policy. It does not contain a condemnation.

The most disturbing characteristics of the recent council debate, and the current administration, are not that the council is truly depoliticized. Rather, the council tries to disguise conservative political statements in apolitical language. The ROTC bill clearly contradicts Harvard's nondiscrimination policy and is a strong political statement that military recruitment on campus is more important than protection of homosexuals from discrimination at Harvard.

David B. Orr '01

April 14, 1999

Coverage of Erotica Event Inaccurate

To the editors:

The queer-oriented erotica reading event covered in The Crimson (News, April 15) was not intended to stir up scandal. Sex is a touchy issue for some people, sure, but the event was publicized as a panel with erotica writers, and I expect that most of the people in attendance knew what erotica entails and were not in the least scandalized by the stories that were read.

Moreover, I find it unacceptable that the editors last night did not have enough awareness about the events on campus that they neglected to note that April is called "Queer Harvard Month" and perhaps make readers more aware of what it is intended for. The article's characterization of Open Gate made it seem like the organization is doing something questionable. Its intention is to provide resources to gay students and student organizations. They have a rigorous grant application process, a limited but relatively large budget and a committee made up of distinguished faculty and various alumni. Their support is essential to the continued success of the BGLTSA, especially on a campus that offers little in the way of student funding. The group exists in order to assure that queer students will not be silenced, as we have been in the past.

I would hope that more responsible and informed reporting will follow from The Crimson.

Nicole L. DeBlosi '99

April 15, 1999

The writer is the co-chair of the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Supporters' Alliance.