UW stands up to anti-gay bigotry

SEATTLE--Students at the University of Washington (UW) came together to organize against anti-gay bigotry in the campus newspaper, forcing The Daily to publish eight pages of editorials opposing the anti-gay article.

Coming on the heels of the passage of anti-gay ballot measure Proposition 8 in California, and the subsequent protests in support of gay marriage nationally, the UW's Daily ran an offensive and bigoted article against gay marriage. The article compared homosexuality to bestiality and referred to it as an "emotional condition" that should be "dealt with."

The editorial created outrage among the UW community and beyond. With the 9,000-plus rally for gay marriage held in Seattle a couple of weeks ago serving as an inspiration, UW students formed a coalition called Students for a Hate Free Daily.

The coalition organized a rally and speak-out on December 5, the last day of classes at UW, turning out some 300 people. Speakers connected the issue of the fight for gay marriage and LGBT equality with the struggles against other forms of oppressions, like racism and sexism, and the need for unity. Protesters were confident and spirited, making it clear that the university community stands against such disgusting hate speech.

The Daily had to publish eight pages of editorials and letters against the bigoted article--a small portion of the letters actually submitted. The rally at UW is another example of the excitement and confidence people are gaining nationally as they stand up and fight back against oppression.

Prop 8 may have passed in California, and this article may have been printed in The Daily, but the overwhelming response has shown that there is the potential to mobilize people to stand up against these reactionary ideas. By building confident movements, we can overturn Prop 8 and win gay marriage and equal rights nationally.