The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) is protesting a decision by the New York Medical College (NYMC), a private institution in Westchester County, to ban an LGBT student group.
According to a GLMA press release, the student group changed its name from ‘Student Help’ to ‘NYMC Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender People in Medicine.’ After the organization changed its name, NYMC’s administration revoked the group’s charter. The move meant that the group will not receive funding, may not use campus space, and may not use the college’s e-mail system. In November, GLMA’s executive director, Joel Ginsberg, contacted NYMC’s dean, Ralph O’Connell, to schedule a meeting about the issue. However, according to the release, ‘there been no official response’ from the school.
In response to a statement by the school and the Student Senate that the charter revocation was based on the LGBT group promoted a lifestyle ‘in conflict with the standards and values of the College,’ a gay student at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine expressed his displeasure. He said that ‘no medical institution has a right to enforce a set of ethical standards outside the field of medicine. No medical school should dictate students’ personal lifestyles, especially regarding sexuality.’
Ginsberg is urging people to write to the school, media, and elected officials.
People can sign an online petition at www.petitiononline.com/nymclgbt/petition.html. See www.glma.org/NYMC.shtml.