A Kennesaw State LGBTQ Resource Center pamphlet including information about gender-neutral pronouns, along with pamphlets locating gender-neutral restrooms on both campuses, can be found on the Center’s website again.
The American Studies Student Organization of KSU released a statement last month, informing the KSU community that the LGBTQ Resource Center no longer had the pamphlets available to students online and that it was forced to remove the university’s logos from the pamphlets.
The pamphlets were recently made available on the center’s website again. Found under a section entitled “Reference Guides” on the website, the Pronouns Matter pamphlet lists various pronouns used by transgender and gender non-binary people.
Despite the reappearance of the pamphlet online, university logos are still not on the pamphlets and a disclaimer at the bottom notes that “content contained within the pamphlet is not reflective of university policy.”
In addition to this, the restroom pamphlets now have “unisex” in the title instead of “gender-neutral.”
As reported back in March, the university received criticism after the LGBTQ Resource Center handed out the pamphlets on campus. A national uproar ensued over social media after Fox News and Campus Reform shared news about the Pronouns Matter pamphlet being handed out on campus.
Earlier this year, then-Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ken Harmon spoke in front of state representatives about the pamphlets, affirming the disclaimer found in the pamphlets. Representative Earl Ehrhart referred to the pronoun pamphlet as “fantasy language.”
Furthermore, Ginny Ehrhart, the wife of Earl Ehrhart who is running for his seat now that he is retiring, spoke out about the pamphlets.
In a statement to the Sentinel about how she feels about the university removing the logos, she stated that she supports the First Amendment right for free speech for campus student organizations, “but this right does not include an expectation that the taxpayers will foot the bill for the pamphlets or that the administration will endorse the message.
“It was inappropriate for the LGBTQ Resource Center to include the KSU logo on the pamphlets because it gives readers the impression that the university is suggesting — or even mandating — that students use alternative pronouns when addressing transgender students,” Ginny Erhart continued. “I support the administration’s decision not to impose such a measure on its student population.”
Ginny Erhart also spoke out about the LGBTQ Resource Center’s pamphlets to the Marietta Daily Journal earlier this month. She countered her opponent for the Georgia House of Representatives seat, Democrat Jen Slipakoff, who said that KSU needs to make resources and facilities for trans students easy to find. According to the MDJ, Slipakoff is an LGBTQ advocate and has a child who identifies as transgender.
“Apparently, she believes that intelligent young adults who have been admitted to a fine university require a pamphlet to help them locate a single-stall bathroom,” Ginny Erhart told the MDJ. “If I were them, I would find such an assumption very insulting. This is college, not preschool. These students are perfectly capable of locating an appropriate bathroom and do not need a ‘helicopter advocate’ labeling them as ‘emotionally unhealthy.'”
Ginny Erhart also told the MDJ that she believes that all citizens deserve respect, but she said “this does not mean certain individuals are entitled to special favors, rights and accommodations because they’ve been identified as ‘victims’ by leftist ideologues.
“Whether a person identifies as a man or a moose, he does not have the right to demand special treatment from his neighbors,” she continued.
In AMSTO’s statement last month, which was also posted on their Facebook page, the group also called on KSU President Dr. Pamela Whitten and her administration to “come out in support of LGBTQ students broadly, and transgender students specifically.”
Late last month, The Sentinel reached out to Whitten in an email, asking for her response to AMSTO’s request. University spokeswoman Tammy DeMel responded with a statement from K.C. White, the vice president for student affairs.
“We deeply value the broad range of experiences and perspectives our students bring to KSU, and remain steadfast in our commitment to promote a supportive and inclusive environment where all students can be successful,” White said.
Whitten has still not spoken out to LGBTQ students about the pamphlets. Students involved in the group are concerned about Whitten’s silence, and some students feel that the pamphlets being put back on the LGBTQ Resource Center’s website does not go far enough to show that the university is in support of transgender students.
“The disclaimer on the Pronouns Matter pamphlet isn’t surprising to transgender students because its emblematic of the culture of transphobia at KSU,” said Jessica Fisher, a KSU student and president of AMSTO. “Transgender students at KSU are looking for substantive actions and shows of support from Dr. Whitten’s administration.”
