Letter from CLAGS Board of Directors to New York State Senators

15 April 02

Dear Senator

We are writing to express our objection to Governor Pataki's appointment of Father John Bonnici to the CUNY Board of Trustees. As an academic center engaged in fostering and disseminating research on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues and people, we are alarmed by the prospect of an avowed opponent of LGBT rights serving in this important post, where he would participate in myriad decisions that have impact on the research, teaching, student services, faculty, staff, and students of our university.

Father Bonnici, as you know, is an active and highly visible campaigner against abortion and against gay rights. Of course he has every right to be. However, it is not appropriate for him to shape the scholarly, teaching, and service functions of our vibrant -- and secular -- university on the basis of these religious views. Will he, for instance, understand that student counseling services must be open to students who request information on contraception or safe-sex practice? Will he be able to put his bigotry aside when considering the tenure of a young scholar working in the field of Queer Theory? Will he recognize the academic importance of courses and programs that deal with complex issues of sexuality and gender?

Given his record as an activist with adamant views -- and particularly because he has absolutely no experience in higher education and apparently very little knowledge of CUNY's life, mission, or processes --  it is highly unlikely that Father Bonnici will be able to consider any such matters objectively. Thus he is not a fitting candidate for CUNY's Board of Trustees. We are disturbed, in fact, that the Governor would find him so. We can't imagine that he would recommend a candidate who had expressed hostility to the civil rights of, say, African Americans or Jews. While recognizing that he is entitled to such views, he would also see, we trust, how damaging and unacceptable such views would be at the table of the CUNY Trustees, who are duty bound to protect and make thrive our diverse and vital university. Why, then, is someone who has questioned the very humanity of LGBT people a candidate? What message is the Governor sending to voters who support LGBT rights and to the LGBT people who work, teach, and study at CUNY?

On principle, hostility to any group of human beings simply for being themselves has no place at the CUNY Board of Trustees. And such bigotry certainly has no place in shaping the policy, curriculum, programs, services, faculty, and staff of CUNY.

We urge you to do everything you can to defeat the nomination of Father Bonnici and to recommend a candidate who can more honestly and properly serve this great university.

Sincerely yours,

Alisa Solomon, Executive Director

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