A resurgence of the "not gay" chant during renditions of the "Good Ol' Song" at home football games has elicited a strong response from students who find the practice offensive.
Student response came to a head at the Nov. 3 home game versus Wake Forest when members of the Minority Rights Coalition, among other supporters, handed out flyers condemning the chant and stickers that read "where all is bright and gay," the lyrics to the University's unofficial alma mater. The sticker campaign was the result of last-minute coordination between the MRC and Student Council, whose members found that the "not gay" chant could be heard louder at recent games than in years past.
"We wanted to take this opportunity to re-educate the student body about the chant," Student Council President Lauren Tilton said. "We were trying to find the best way to communicate to our community without being aggressive."
Though most MRC volunteers were able to freely distribute their materials on game day without complaint, some volunteers reported having received disparaging remarks from students and alumni either tailgating or watching the game.
"What I found remarkable were the number of people who don't say "not gay" and are supportive of our efforts but didn't want to come out publicly against those who say the chant," said Carolina Ferrerosa, Latino Student Union President and MRC support officer. "It was important nevertheless to get them to understand where we were coming from."
Instead of urging students not to chant, Ferrerosa said she tried explaining how some in the University community found it inappropriate and offensive. While she encountered some fans who were not supportive, Ferrerosa said a majority of individuals accepted stickers and were receptive to the MRC and Student Council's message.
MRC Co-Chair Patrick Lee compared this most recent campaign against the "not gay" chant to the black ribbons distributed at football games two years ago. At September 2005 Homecomings, the Office of the Dean of Students distributed black ribbons to show University solidarity following a number of high-profile incidents of racial intolerance on Grounds. Calling the University's response following incidents "proactive," Lee criticized the administration's lack of involvement in this most recent endeavor.
"Until the University takes a stand saying this is wrong, this will only be an issue for students," Lee said, noting that University President John T. Casteen, III was an active participant in the black ribbon campaign. "The University has never taken steps to criticize people who openly attack the [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] population."
While Interim Dean of Students Allen Groves did not wish to comment on this student initiative, University spokesperson Carol Wood said the administration wants to wait and see whether student self-governance can deal with this issue.
"If students can handle it and make changes, then that's the best way to go," Wood said. "When incidents become accelerated, then administrators have to step in. It hasn't reached that level, where the administration feels like it has to step in."
Athletics Director Craig Littlepage echoed a similar sentiment, adding that the department also regularly receives complaints about people who interrupt the singing of the National Anthem.
"I don't think we're in a position to react to every single situation that may not be politically correct," Littlepage said, adding that the department has never considered substituting a different song at football games. "The moment we start to react to the conduct of a few people by taking those traditional songs away, we're making a big mistake."
According to MRC Co-Chair Wyatt Fore, the administration's reserved approach on this matter is frustrating for many members of the LGBT community.
The administration "hides behind students to take on controversial issues that the administration should be taking on," Fore said. "The administration should be taking an active role to make sure that hate crimes aren't happening at the University."
While supporters of the MRC and Student Council's recent campaign, including Ferrerosa, agree that a majority of the University community are opposed to the "not gay" chant, they acknowledge there are some detractors. Some students note that the chant is protected First Amendment speech and argue that it should not be considered hate speech.
"I would disagree with the chant itself, but the ideas behind it have some elements of truth to them," said Andrew McDowell, '05 University alumnus who lives and works in Charlottesville. "I believe there is a message that needs to be taught that the homosexual lifestyle is not necessarily healthy. I would disagree with a few drunk people just yelling it out and not really having any sound arguments against it or having a healthy discussion about it."
With a high-profile season finale approaching after Thanksgiving versus Virginia Tech, many members of the University worry how the "not gay" chant colors perceptions about the University.
"I don't think it's a public image that most U.Va. community members want on television," said Joy Pugh, coordinator for the LGBT Resource Center. "It seems pretty pointless, and I think that's everyone's take on it"
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