Press Release
October 24, 2009
This week, Vice President of Student Affairs at Morehouse College, Dr. William Bynum announced a new dress code policy particularly aimed at a small portion of Morehouse men. "We are talking about five students who are living a gay lifestyle that is leading them to dress a way we do not expect in Morehouse men," said Bynum.
According to CNN News: "To keep the legendary Morehouse mystique alive, the all-male, historically black college has banned high heels, handbags, tunics, tops and other feminine clothing [in an effort to replicate the standards of Morehouse men.] Sagging jeans, grills, do-rags and caps worn indoors aren't permitted on the Atlanta campus, either." The punishment for noncompliance is class dismissal and repeated violations may result in a possible suspension from the University. In doing so, Morehouse not only censors student expression, but also discriminates against gay, bisexual, same gender loving and/or transgender students who are seeking to fully embrace their identity and dress in a way that is comfortable and fitting of their gender identity and expression.
We encourage Morehouse to hold true its mission to "redefine leadership by not worrying about attaining the highest title or position, but about attaining skills such as compassion, civility, integrity and even listening." Morehouse's Appropriate Attire Policy instead places a chilling effect on the ability for students to express themselves authentically. Furthermore, this policy reproduces and reinforces homophobia and gender role stereotypes.
Morehouse College, with its rich tradition and history, offers leadership among Historically Black Colleges and Universities and higher education institutions across the nation. The implementation of the Appropriate Attire Policy will likely have a negative impact on important discussions about black male masculinity, and masculinity in general, in communities of color. In doing so, Morehouse College is complicit in the propagation of harmful attitudes and beliefs about what it means to be a black male and makes invisible any alumni who may express or identify as gay, bisexual, same gender loving and/or transgender. Continued institutionalized homophobia thwarts effective identity development that may prevent students at Morehouse from acknowledging and coming out in their sexuality and/or gender identity.
True authenticity exists at the intersection of multiple identities, along which growth should be fostered. The Consortium strongly supports initiatives that honor the spectrum of identities and expressions through education and dialogue. We encourage the Morehouse community to do the same.
Sincerely,
Executive Board
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
For more information, please contact chair@lgbtcampus.org.
Shared Vision and Mission Statement
To critically transform higher education environments so that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni/ae have equity in every respect.
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
750 Ostrom Ave, Syracuse, NY 13244
www.lgbtcampus.org