I was disappointed but not surprised to read the April 2 editorial, “Discrimination of gays unacceptable.” Though I agree with their intentions, I believe the consequences of their position — that Central should remove InterVarsity — weren’t fully considered.

Firstly, I am not a member of InterVarsity or any related club.

However, I do support the right of any student group to elect leaders that adhere to the tenets of that organization. For an institution, educational or otherwise, to punish an organization for acting according to the principles on which they were founded sets a scary precedent. What would happen if GSB based the funding of every campus organization on whether or not they agreed with that group’s position?

So what if IV decides not to allow a student to be a leader — that student is then free to start the IV-Haters club and deny leadership to Christians.

Would it be right to eliminate the College Democrats Club because they denied leadership to a student for being a Bush supporter? Granted, with these rights come responsibilities. If an organization promotes violence or criminal activity, they forfeit their right.

Mr. Clark was never denied membership (contrary to the last paragraph of the Daily’s editorial), just leadership. I support the choice of InterVarsity to organize and act according to their beliefs with the same enthusiasm as I support the choices of the LGBTA Alliance here at Iowa State.

This is an issue not about church and state, or discrimination, but the right of a group to choose leaders based on the principles the group was founded on. Supporting true civil liberties means allowing private citizens to associate and organize themselves as they see fit and giving those groups equal consideration under the law, whether that law comes from a dean or a president.

Curtis Carroll

Senior

Mechanical Engineering