To the Editor:

Re: “Outcry Erupts from Alleged Homophobia: Gay student asked to step down from leadership post by Christian group,” News, April 23.

It was thoroughly appalling to read of the events surrounding Chris Donohoe’s ’09 forced withdrawal from leadership in the Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship.

As a program registered with the University which feeds in part off of the student activity fee, Chi Alpha has no right to this blatant instance of discrimination. Per the article, Donohoe, a senior, has been a member of Chi Alpha since his first year at Cornell, and held a leadership position presumably due to his immense dedication to the fellowship. That the pastors would all but kick Donohoe out, disregarding of his passion for Chi Alpha’s purpose and simply because of his “choosing to be a homosexual,” is absurd.

And other members of Chi Alpha who’ve supported the decision?

“[I’m] still friends with Chris. I know a lot of people in Chi Alpha are ...”

Well, that’s big of you.

The first comment on the article’s online version, from “a parent,” suggests that since Donohoe isn’t what Chi Alpha stands for, that he should find another group “such as the gay groups that are in Ithaca.” How utterly tactless. And how representative of the whole situation. “Any person,” Cornell? Really?

I cannot express the level of my distaste should this University, diverse as can be, fail to take action against Chi Alpha and the Hermans.

Of Donohoe, a Chi Alphan said, “Homosexuality is considered a sin ... if you’re committing sins you will not enter the kingdom of God.” I am neither homosexual, nor markedly religious. But I do believe this: You don’t enter the kingdom of God by being callous and bigoted, either.

Matti Hart ’10