Gay Christian hosts Fasnacht

The gay community in our nation is the victim of great discrimination and prejudice. Being ridiculed and shunned by society, many homosexuals have chosen to hide their true sexual orientation and lead a life of lies.

The University of La Verne campus is not immune to this. With the formation of the Gay, Lesbian and Bi-Sexual Student Union on our campus, many have been able to reveal their true identities and others have been able to express their support for friends. However, a new club cannot be the only source of awareness on our campus and society. The message of homosexual injustice needs to be heard and understood.

The Campus Times applauds the Fasnacht Committee’s choice to invite Dr. Mel White, dean of the Cathedral of Hope Metropolitan Community Church in Dallas, Texas, as this year’s Fasnacht lecturer. The Metropolitan Community Church is a gay and lesbian congregation, whose members, like Dr. White, have reconciled their sexual orientation and Christian faith.

However, Dr. White, like many members of the gay community, was hesitant to accept and reveal his sexual preference. For about 30 years, he sought “anti-gay” therapy, such as fasting, prayer, exorcism and electric shock. Dr. White advocates not sacrificing your identity to be part of mainstream society.

Being gay and a leader are not the only qualifications that Dr. White possesses to be this year’s Fasnacht lecturer. He has served leaders such as Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and Oliver North as a ghost writer. In many cases, he is the brain behind speeches and works of leaders.

Dr. White is also a filmmaker, professor and author. In his works, he explores the struggles that members of society face in fighting to be recognized and accepted as humans. Among the issues he has dealt with are the gay community, youth, victims of the Vietnam war and the people’s revolution in the Philippines. He has also produced a film about the last leper and a series about AIDS.

The Fasnacht lecturer is a speaker the University goes to great lengths to invite and lure onto our campus to send his personal message. Past speakers include those who have fought for a great cause or have profound advice for students. This year the Fasnacht committee has succeeded to combine both, and in the process tear down conservative walls that have sheltered this campus far too long.

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