Georgetown students' commission rejects complaint against group that promotes traditional marriage

The Student Activities Commission at Georgetown University has decided not to take action against Love Saxa, a Catholic student group that has been accused of "hatred" and "intolerance" for its support of traditional marriage.

A formal complaint against Love Saxa was filed by a student-senator last month, alleging that the group had violated university standards for student organizations by promoting its traditional marriage views on campus.

The complaint, levied by students Chad Gasman and Jasmin Ouseph, had asked the university to strip Love Saxa of its funding and officially recognized status, arguing that the club's purpose is "homophobic" and "dehumanizing" to students.

On Thursday night, the commission rejected the complaint by a vote of 8–4, allowing the Catholic student group to keep its university funding, as well as its access to university resources.

However, the vote is not binding and is merely a recommendation to the university's director of student engagement, Amanda Carlton, who may accept, amend or reject it.

The commissioners deliberated in a private session for several hours Thursday night and into early Friday morning after a hearing on Monday ended without a vote, student newspaper The Hoya reported.

Gasman and Ouseph have expressed plans to appeal to Carlton, whose decision can, in turn, be appealed to Vice President of Student Affairs Todd Olson. Ouseph had contended that the commission disregarded their substantive arguments against the purpose and activities of Love Saxa, which receives $250 annually in university funding.

"I'm both unsurprised but also a little surprised, because the basis of our complaint was pretty firmly rooted in the organization's standards," Ouseph said.

The standards in question state that no student groups are "eligible for access to benefits if their purpose or activities...foster hatred or intolerance of others because of their race, nationality, gender, religion, or sexual preferences."

The complaint came after The Hoya published an article by Love Saxa's president, Amelia Irvine, who wrote that the group's definition of marriage "does not include same-sex couples, as [Love Saxa members] believe that marriage is a conjugal union on every level — emotional, spiritual, physical and mental — directed toward caring for biological children."

Leaders of gay pride student organizations at the school complained that the language in the article as homophobic, and claimed that it violated university standards.

Irvine said that she was glad the commission decided to reject the complaint, but added that she regrets the university became involved in the dispute.

"This was not our chosen path of reconciliation. We would rather have worked this out between students rather than have this dramatic political event where there had to be a winner and a loser. I hope we can come together in a productive dialogue where we can recognize each other's humanity," she said.