Penn students love to protest. Sweatshops, migrant workers, unions, land wars in Asia -- if there's a hint of controversy surrounding any subject, no matter how inane, you can be sure someone will be staked out on the Walk, yelling for donations or handing out ribbons. I have enough ribbons in my possession to keep a My Little Pony happy for life.
Hell, I even tried to stage a small strike against the mistreatment of starches at the cereal store opening last week. It failed, but not before I was able to shriek a couple of well-timed "Spoon Me, Fork You's" to patrons lurking around the entrance.
Where, then, is the outrage on this campus towards the growing witch hunt of gays and lesbians in our community? Where are our sit-ins in College Hall? Boycotts? Acts of civil disobedience? It's time to ask, it's time to speak up and tell, because it's not just happening in "red states" or in states historically opposed to civil rights. These acts of discrimination are occurring in our own backyards, in Philadelphia and New York.
I feel like I'm living in Salem circa 1692 instead of in Philadelphia in the 21st century. In the past week, the Rev. Irene Elizabeth "Beth" Stroud of Philadelphia was convicted in a United Methodist Church trial of violating church law by being a "self-avowed practicing homosexual." And CBS and NBC headquarters in New York refused to run a 30-second TV ad from the United Church of Christ because it was deemed too controversial -- for "touch[ing] on the exclusion of gay couples and other minority groups by other individuals and organizations."
Unlike during the civil rights era, when such exclusionary events sparked protests across campuses nationwide, these events are occurring without any large demonstration from college students. What are we scared of? The FCC? The thought that someone might question our sexuality? So what if they do -- this is an issue about justice and equality, not sexual orientation.
The two networks are not airing this ad to avoid a potential backlash. There is no way of telling what will generate controversy, though. It appears that showing same-sex kisses on network TV for shock value is OK, while showing same-sex kisses when the parties are in long-term relationships is not. Letting couples of opposite sex get engaged on reality shows after meeting for just 15 minutes seems to be just fine, too. It keeps the sanctity of marriage intact, as always. Keep those Viagra commercials coming!
CBS and NBC are not afraid of the FCC slapping a fine on them for an ad that states, "the United Church of Christ seeks to welcome all people, regardless of ability, age, race, economic circumstance or sexual orientation." After all, channels like ABC Family, Hallmark, BET and Fox all agreed to air the campaign nationally. But when the FCC's fine would provoke millions of conservatives to boycott the major networks, the collective ears of television executives perk up and realize there are millions of dollars of ad revenue at stake.
Conservatives certainly wield a powerful tool with boycotting. They've organized themselves well, targeting specific companies like Target, which prevents the Salvation Army, a notoriously anti-gay organization, from collecting donations in front of its stores. They threaten TV stations and shows and stores that don't share their core values.
But what are these core values we hear about so often on TV? I imagine community, support, spirituality and courage play a large role, in addition to holding up the principles one believes in, despite whatever penalty might come.
In fact, one might point to Beth Stroud as a prime example of a woman who embodies all of these traits. A woman who believed so deeply in herself and her religion that she was willing to publicly announce her sexual orientation, knowing full well that it would probably mean the end of her ministry.
It's a shame Beth Stroud is not a member of the United Church of Christ, which would clearly welcome her with open arms. However, Beth's act of defiance against the United Methodist Church is clearly an act of civil disobedience to further the discussion within the church regarding sexual orientation.
It speaks a powerful message when a woman like Beth Stroud, who built her life around the church, realizes she can no longer hide who she is. Beth did not choose to become a minister. She believes she was called. Nor did Beth choose her sexual orientation. But Beth chose a very powerful way to come out, knowing that it would call others to lead the fight.
And thus, I call on you. To use boycotts and sit-ins and whatever we need to do to gain justice and equality for everyone. Remember Beth Stroud. Though Beth was found guilty, she is still a minister. Only her congregation is now much larger than the one in her church. We are all Beth's congregation and we all must protest.
Melody Joy Kramer is a junior English major from Cherry Hill, N.J. Perpendicular Harmony appears on Wednesdays.
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