PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Green Party blasts Santorum's comments
by Isaac Ludwig Saturday, May. 03, 2003 at 4:13 PM
ludwigih@westminster.edu

Westminster administration says it will not rescind senator's honorary degree

The Green Party at Westminster College is red hot with anger at Senator Rick Santorum because of his recent comments on homosexuality.


The group has asked the college's administration to repeal an honorary doctorate of law degree given to Santorum in 1996. During a rally yesterday, the Green Party was joined by another campus organization, Allies, Westminster's gay/straight alliance. About 30 students attended the on-campus event.


"We are not trying to change people's minds to make them pro-gay, but we are trying to make them aware that people are human beings and deserve to be treated equally," said Sara Kimbell, president of Allies. "It is Sen. Santorum's right to feel the way he feels but I also believe that as a government official he has to serve as a leader. The statements that he made that the gay lifestyle brought down the American family was extremely inappropriate considering that there are gay families that are very successful. I don't think he should use his position as a platform."


"What Sen. Santorum said really shocked me," said Ken Jae, Green Party member and event organizer. "I never really thought he could be that reckless and irresponsible, especially after one of his colleagues, Trent Lott, had already slipped up and made an insensitive remark that jeopardized his political career."


Jae said public officials must be accountable for their words and actions.


"Hopefully, Westminster College will realize that they must show that they are truly committed to diversity by punishing Rick Santorum accordingly."


Jae and Kimbell were referring to remarks made by Santorum during an interview with the Associated Press. Santorum and a reporter discussed the right to privacy as it related to Lawrence v. Texas, a case currently being heard by the Supreme Court. It was during the discussion that Santorum made comments about homosexual lifestyles.


"My discussion with the Associated Press reporter was about the Supreme Court privacy case, the constitutional right to privacy in general, and in the context of the impact on the family," Santorum said in a statement April 23. "I am a firm believer that all are equal under the Constitution. My comments should not be misconstrued in any way as a statement of individual lifestyles."


Jae said Westminster President R. Thomas Williamson and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jesse Mann permitted both organizations to speak publicly about Santorum's comments. But they will not rescind Santorum's honorary degree, according to college spokesman Mark Meighan.


"The opinions expressed to the media by a few members of two student organizations, the Green Party and Allies, do not reflect the views of Westminster College," Meighan said. "Sen. Rick Santorum earned his honorary degree from Westminster College in 1996 for his outstanding public service, and Westminster will not rescind this honor."


Westminster students Russ Mills and Jordan Kufman offered support for Santorum during yesterday's rally.


"Santorum represents a constituency, not the whole American public," Mills noted.


"I worked in Santorum's Pittsburgh office in 2000 and I know him pretty well," Kufman said. "He is a good man, a very religious man, and his statements are coming directly from the Bible. He is not saying anything about gay people. He is saying that he does not agree with the homosexual acts. I don't think he should make anymore comments about it."


Attempts to reach Santorum's office for comment on yesterday's rally were unsuccessful.


(Ann-Margaret Lambo can be contacted at nclocal@ncnewsonline.com or by calling (724) 654-6651, extension 644.)

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