On Thursday, talk about "the shirt" likely referred not to the popular kelly green number worn by students and fans during Notre Dame football games, but to a project sponsored by the unofficial Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA), also known as "United in Diversity," to promote increased tolerance of homosexual students on campus. Hundreds of students sported the bright orange shirts bearing the slogan "Gay? Fine by me," and GSA estimates that it sold 1,600 of them in the past few days. "This is a milestone event because it lets the supporters show who they are and lets everyone else - gay and straight, in or out - see who they are and how many they are," GSA leader Joe Dickmann said. Dickmann started the campaign in response to a survey conducted by the Princeton Review that ranked Notre Dame first in a list of 351 colleges and universities where alternative lifestyles are not an alternative. It also served to bring attention to the Office of Student Affairs March 4 decision to deny the GSA officially recognized club status. On Tuesday, Father Mark Poorman, Vice President for Student Affairs, wrote a follow-up letter of response, a copy of which was obtained by The Observer. "I'm sure that the students are disappointed with the decision by the Student Activities Office to deny recognition of the group as a student club," Poorman wrote, adding that while there is no formal appeal process in place for the club to pursue, he and Dr. David Moss, direct supervisor in the Office of Student Affairs for the Student Activities Office, would welcome a continued dialogue. However, he cautioned students against "unrealistic expectations about the likelihood of a change in the decision about recognition." Students who chose to wear the "Gay? Fine by me" shirts expressed hope that their efforts would bring about positive exchange. "There's a pretty common stereotype that Notre Dame is a closed minded ... school," said Margaret Bernardin, a sophomore who wore the shirt Thursday. "Obviously, by all the people you see today that isn't true at all." Jessica Freeman, a junior, said that she chose to wear the shirt to support some friends who participated in the campaign and to increase the profile of the issue on campus. "I had friends who were passing out the t-shirts and I wanted to support them and their efforts to help get support from the University," she said. "It brings awareness to the general student." A majority of students, however, did not participate in the project. Some supported the effort but were not aware of it before today, while others said that they believed efforts to promote the establishment of a University sponsored homosexual club ran counter to Notre Dame's Catholic tradition. "I have nothing against someone who is gay," sophomore Chris Brophy said. "I recognize that being gay is not a choice, but I think these t-shirts glorify a lifestyle contradictory to what we [as Catholics] believe." Other students supported the project but said they were not aware that anything of the sort was being planned and were confused about why Thursday was chosen. "I think it's a good thing," said freshman Kyle Rokita. "I haven't heard that much about why today." Dickmann said that many students were unaware of the project in advance. "I discovered that in a lot of cases, people had no idea until they woke up and saw the orange," he said, adding that he received positive feedback throughout the day asking where more shirts could be ordered. The group has tentatively planned another demonstration for mid-April. University spokesman Matt Storin declined to discuss what impact the campaign might have on Notre Dame's policies or if the number of students involved in it surprised administrators. Students, however, had their own opinions. "So far the University hasn't been too responsive to what we say so I don't think this will have any effect at all but I hope it will," Bernardin said. Freeman shared her opinion. "Besides [generating] Viewpoint letters I doubt it [will affect change]," she said.
Claire Heininger contributed to this report.
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