University of Rhode Island administrators discourage coverage of LGBT protest?
0Organizers of an LGBT sit-in at the University of Rhode Island have alleged school administrators have discouraged on-campus media from reporting on their action.
Members of URI's GLBT Center and Gay-Straight Alliance began a sit-in at the university's library just after midnight on Thursday, Sept. 23. Protest organizers said the "non-violent, direct action" would hopefully spur URI administrators to "take immediate steps to ensure the safety and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students, faculty and staff."
"We have had students throwing used condoms into students' rooms, drawing offensive images on people's doors, and an epidemic of people yelling 'faggots' as they drive by the GLBT Center," said URI junior Brian Stack in a press release.
Sophomore Justin Willner added the atmosphere on campus "makes it clear I am second rate and my well-being is not valued."
The students have met with Tom Dougan, vice president for student affairs at URI, and other university administrators to discuss their concerns. They maintain, however, officials have done little to address their concerns.
URI spokesperson Linda Acciardo told EDGE neither she or anyone else in her office was aware the sit-in was going to take place when they spoke to a local television station late on Wednesday, Sept. 22. She denied university administrators discouraged coverage of the protest.
"This is a public university, a public campus and [this is] a dialogue we expect to be in the public domain," said Acciardo.