Student support was mixed for the decision of the Voces Clamantium to invite guest speaker Yvette Schneider, an activist identifying herself as a former lesbian who turned away from her homosexual lifestyle after becoming Christian, to speak on campus tomorrow.
Although student opinion regarding the veracity of Schneider's claims was varied, most students felt that Voces Clamantium was inciting a healthy campus dialogue by inviting Schneider to speak.
"Although I don't agree with the speaker's viewpoint I don't think it's wrong for them invite her to campus to express that viewpoint," Anthony Kayas '00 said.
Pedro De Los Santos '02 agreed.
"People should be able to express their opinions," he said, adding that the presentation of contending viewpoints is an integral part of intellectual discourse on campus. "Difference and disagreement is what we are all about."
Dennis Recca '02 felt so strongly about Schneider's right to speak that he called those who denied her this right "very hypocritical."
"If the homosexual community wants to be open-minded about this they should be willing to listen to other viewpoints," he said, adding that opponents who refuse to listen to dissenting opinions "are being just as closed-minded" as those whose message they are protesting.
But while many students championed Schneider's right to appear on the basis of free speech, some disagreed with the Council of Student Organizations' decision to financially support the presentation of her controversial message.
"I'm not particularly bothered that she's coming, but I am bothered that COSO is sponsoring it," Michael Perry '03 said. "I am not sure that this event promotes the kind of environment that the College wants to sponsor," he added, pointing out that the issue really "divides the campus."
Many students also felt that Voces' refusal to allow a proponent of the opposing viewpoint to engage in the discussion was unfair.
Lydia Wheatly '03 said that Schneider should only be able to speak "as long as [Voces] invites both sides."
"I do think that she should be able to come," Melissa Crounse '03 said. She qualified her statement by concurring with Wheatley, stating that "they should definitely have an open forum along both sides."
Despite campus support for the Schneider's right to speak, heated controversy still surrounds the decision of Voces Clamantium, a campus discussion group representing a Judeo-Christian viewpoint, to invite the activist to deliver a speech this Tuesday entitled "The Power to Change."
Schneider, a political analyst and writer for the Family Research Council, will be sharing views concerning her personal experience "as a practicing lesbian and homosexual rights advocate for six years before becoming Christian and exiting the homosexual lifestyle," according to the FRC homepage.
However, much of Dartmouth's gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual community and their heterosexual allies are outraged at Voces' decision.
The Dartmouth Rainbow Alliance and Gay-Straight Alliance will be holding a candlelight vigil during the speech in order to protest Schneider's message, which they feel puts homosexuality and Christianity in mutually exclusive categories.