Spring Break
Letter to the Editor: Clearing up Sex Positive Fair and Masturbate-a-thon misconceptions
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Opinions
I would like to address some concerns that stem from Monday's letter to the editor regarding the Masturbate-a-thon and Sex Positive Fair.
First, Student Government does not regulate the use of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union by Registered Student Organizations, nor does it give permission to RSOs to hold events. For the record, the RSO that hosted the event was Pride, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender RSO on campus.
Second, without a compelling interest, the university could not constitutionally halt this event. The university cannot prohibit RSOs for hosting events based solely on content. A university should be a place at which students can express viewpoints, regardless of how unsavory and sensitive they may be to a certain audience, so long as no actual harm is created.
Third, no one would get in "hot water" for promoting anything abstinence-related. In fact, the abstinence view was represented at the Sex Positive Fair.
I am unhappy with such a sweeping critique of our Student Government that is not based on fact. I cannot stress enough that it is not the job of Student Government to allow or disallow what extracurricular events RSOs can sponsor.
I cannot help but wonder, based on the lack of accurate facts presented by this alumna, whether she is genuinely concerned about the functioning of Student Government, or looking for a group to be displeased with because of her attitude toward sex.
I intend no disrespect, but there was a certain level of it displayed toward Student Government.
Drew P. Griffin
Speaker of Student Senate
First, Student Government does not regulate the use of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union by Registered Student Organizations, nor does it give permission to RSOs to hold events. For the record, the RSO that hosted the event was Pride, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender RSO on campus.
Second, without a compelling interest, the university could not constitutionally halt this event. The university cannot prohibit RSOs for hosting events based solely on content. A university should be a place at which students can express viewpoints, regardless of how unsavory and sensitive they may be to a certain audience, so long as no actual harm is created.
Third, no one would get in "hot water" for promoting anything abstinence-related. In fact, the abstinence view was represented at the Sex Positive Fair.
I am unhappy with such a sweeping critique of our Student Government that is not based on fact. I cannot stress enough that it is not the job of Student Government to allow or disallow what extracurricular events RSOs can sponsor.
I cannot help but wonder, based on the lack of accurate facts presented by this alumna, whether she is genuinely concerned about the functioning of Student Government, or looking for a group to be displeased with because of her attitude toward sex.
I intend no disrespect, but there was a certain level of it displayed toward Student Government.
Drew P. Griffin
Speaker of Student Senate
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Siddhartha
posted 4/17/09 @ 12:20 AM CST
Student Government needs to get over themselves, quit worrying about what people write in DEN comments, and do some work.
Lelo
posted 9/28/09 @ 6:30 AM CST
I just wonder if a sex toys store would be willing to donate sex toys to the masturbate-thon? If nothing else I can done some lube!
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