OPINION: Abstaining from ‘current controversies’ doesn’t include celebrating LGBT agenda, apparently
Syracuse University’s pledge to remain neutral “except under the most extraordinary circumstances,” on political issues lasted three days.
The New York university posted messages in support of LGBT “Pride Month,” just three days after announcing it would not wade into “current controversies,” a pledge referred to as “institutional neutrality.”
The university pledged not to make “institutional statements or pronouncements on current controversies” “except under the most extraordinary circumstances and with the sole purpose of protecting its mission of discovery, improvement and dissemination of knowledge.”
“Instead, the University will employ a commitment to institutional neutrality to prevent the University from committing to positions that go beyond the stated academic mission or its protection,” the “Syracuse Statement,” promised.
That apparently does not apply to support for the LGBT agenda, even though Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Methodists, and other religious groups oppose the redefinition of marriage and support the sex binary.
“Happy Pride Month!,” Syracuse Athletics wrote June 1 on X.
“This month, and [every day], we love, welcome and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community. Happy Pride Month, #SyracuseU,” the private university’s official account wrote on X on Sunday, June 2.
This month, and everyday, we love, welcome and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community. Happy Pride Month, #SyracuseU! 🧡🌈 #pridemonth pic.twitter.com/ePGWEAQtdh
— Syracuse University (@SyracuseU) June 2, 2024
The university posted the same message on Facebook and LinkedIn.
In addition to the fact that sex is binary, and marriage is only between one man and one woman, the public still remains divided on many issues promoted by LGBT activists.
For example, even a biased poll from Saint Louis University found most voters oppose children receiving transgender drugs and surgeries. Most voters also oppose males competing in women’s sports, the same poll found.
There have been more than 500 bills introduced in 2024 opposing the LGBT agenda, or what the ACLU calls “attacks.”
These bills tend to deal with issues like if men can use women’s locker rooms and the rights of parents to be informed when their kid tells a teacher he thinks he is a girl. No matter how you frame it, the ongoing legislative activity is evidence LGBT issues are far from settled and represent a “current” controversy.
Syracuse top communications officials did not respond to requests for comment on Monday. The College Fix left a voicemail for Senior Associate Vice President for Communications Sarah Scalese and with the marketing division.
The Fix emailed Scalese, the general media team account, and Chief Communications Officer Jeff Stoecker. The Fix asked how the pro-LGBT posts interacted with its pledge to keep out of “current controversies.”
Syracuse’ quick failure is evidence that universities need to go beyond simple pledges on paper, but instead make institutional reforms. In a similar vein, the University of Michigan announced tens of thousands of dollars of grants into ideological research soon after promising to support “diversity of thought.”
Big promises may get attention, but real change takes work.
MORE: Stanford faculty approve free speech statement for first time in 50 years
IMAGE: Syracuse University/X
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