GOP takes aim at gay life course

By Jeremy W. Peters

Daily Staff Reporter

Republicans seeking to regain a majority on the University Board of Regents have targeted Prof. David Halperin's English 317 class titled "How to Be Gay: Male Homosexuality and Initiation," asserting taxpayers are wrongly funding a course that teaches immoral behavior.

In recent months the class has come under scrutiny by conservatives, adding an intriguing spin to an election that despite its statewide scope usually draws little or no attention.

Halperin insists that he never intended to incite any controversy by teaching the English class.

"I do not seek controversy and I certainly had no intention of attracting critical attention to the University," he said.

Although unsuccessful in his bid, Auburn Hills Mayor Tom McMillin said the class inspired him to run for one of two Republican nominations for regent. "That was the straw that broke the camel's back," McMillin said, insisting there were other reasons for his candidacy, including the elimination of benefits for same sex partners of University employees.

Instead of McMillin, veteran Michigan Republicans Wendy Anderson and Suzy Avery - who both also oppose Halperin's class - will be on their party's ticket in November.

"I just can't understand the context of someone who graduates with an English degree after having taken the class 'How to Be Gay' is better off than someone who has not taken it," Anderson, a longtime party activist, said shortly after accepting the nomination.

Suzy Avery, the state's tourism director and a former Michigan Republican Party chairwoman, takes a similar viewpoint. "I think U of M, by the title of the course and by the way they're portraying it, are making it provocative. It kind of pushes the envelope," Avery said.

But Halperin says the attention his class has received is unwarranted. "Neither (candidate) has attempted to get in touch with me or find out what the class is really about," he said yesterday.

Halperin said the University has never put pressure on him to cancel his class. If either Anderson or Avery were elected, that could change, as both candidates say they would oppose taxpayer funding of the class.

"We understand that this is something a lot of people in the University were not aware of and we don't think this is an appropriate way to spend tax dollars," Avery said.

Conceivably, the Board of Regents could take action if a majority support such a motion. But the board has not in recent memory tried to use its power sanction any academic affairs within a University school or college.

Regent Dan Horning (R-Grand Haven) said the class "crosses the moral line" but added that he doesn't know of any "Republican plans" to prohibit the University from offering the class if both Republicans were to win election.

"I don't necessarily favor having a public body start to dictate what courses should be taught and what courses shouldn't," Horning said. "Just because there would be a Republican majority doesn't mean there would be a majority that would vote for eliminating the class."

At the April regents meeting, University President Lee Bollinger came out in support of Halperin's course.

Although Halperin may not understand why his class has become a political issue, he is not surprised some people are critical. "It comes with the territory of teaching gay and lesbian studies," he said.