Queer Radicals to protest upcoming visit of Frist '74

The Queers Radicals is planning a rally for Saturday to protest the University's decision to honor Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist '74. The event will begin shortly before the ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

The Queer Radicals, a student group created for respect on campus for what it claims is a marginalized gay community, is challenging the nomination because it thinks Frist's voting record promotes social segregation and intolerance particularly toward homosexuals, women and minorities, said Virgilio Sklar '03, an organizer of the rally.

"The Woodrow Wilson Award is intended to honor those in the nation's service. However, for example, he has voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act," which would protect gays in the workplace, Sklar added.

Posters and literature to be passed out during the rally will outline Frist's voting record and try to change the public's perception of Frist. "Because he is a surgeon and a politician, people assume he is a compassionate politician," Sklar said.

The organization's intent for this protest is to raise public awareness of what their representatives stand for, Sklar said.

Many students think Frist deserves the award because he has been successful in the realm of public service.

"He has managed very well in dealing with the Senate and a lot of controversial issues," said vice-president of the College Republicans Evan Baehr '05.

"He is the Senate Majority Leader and he represents a majority of the people."

Dialogue

The Queer Radicals also hope to establish a dialogue with Frist.

"We hope to speak with him after the protest," Sklar said. "Our goal is not to alienate anyone. We would like to open discussion to work things out."

To garner support, the group is reaching out to various organizations on and off campus through their "progressive action" email lists and will soon start an educational poster campaign, Sklar said.

The group hopes to attract between 50 and 100 people but is still uncertain how many will take part.

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The Queer Radicals are also working with the University and the national government to work out logistical and security issues.

"Since the nation is on high alert, we are working with Public Safety, the CIA, and the Secret Service to find a location close enough to where Frist will be speaking that does not pose a security threat," Sklar said.

Despite the controversial stance of the organization, the group found the administration helpful in assisting them coordinate the event.

However, not everyone is as receptive to the group's actions as represented by the number of emails it has received in opposition to the protest, Sklar said.