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College G·OP pushes. gay out UCO student says Republicans discouraged his.participation Jesse Stevenson The METROPOLITAN A University of Colcmdo at Denver student quit the College Republicans because he said they blocked him from becoming an active member of the club because he is gay - despite some Republicans' insistence that membership is open to everyone. The Republicans are in the midst of a legal battle with Metro after refusing to sign a statement pledging they will not discrim'inate on the basis of sexual orientation - and they recently have added an amendment to their constitutional bylaws stating members cannot promote "immoral acts" such as homosexuality. Gay students who have attempted to join the Republicans say discrimination within the club precludes the amendment. Darin Raaf, a former officer for the UCD chapter of the College Republicans, said he believes other members prevented him from fulfilling his duties as an officer in the club because he is gay, although they initially encouraged his membership. The Auraria College Republicans paid his joining dues, which were less than $5, in fall 1995, to show they tolerated homosexuals, Raaf said. "It was my understanding that I was the token gay person," he said. In a Feb. 10 letter to The Metropolitan former College Republican Chairman Nate Hall stated the club is accessible to any student. "The College Republicans do not discriminate against gays. We are open to all students who wish to join the club. However, we are a political club. Our purpose is not to coddle and make students feel good," Hall stated. Like Raaf, Donnita Wong, the president of the UCD Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and · Transsexual
Alliance and a self-proclaimed fiscal conservative Republican, said a College Republican member encouraged her to join. But Wong said he felt the other members were too hostile. Jeremy Batterman, the National Secretary of the College Republicans, said homosexuality is a threat to the club's pro-fantily message and will not be tolerated. He said meaning any student can· become a member as long as they do not reveal they are gay. "To me, one's sexuality is their own business," Batterman said. ''The minute they make it my business, that's a problem." While he was never kicked out for being op~nly gay; Raaf said other College Republicans intentionally gave him incorrect information about the times and locations of meetings and events, even though he was treasurer of the club. "Any opportunities to participate were precluded," he said. "I believe special meetings were kept from me and regular meetings were kept fairly hush-hush." Raaf, 30, a longtime registered Republican, said no members ever asked him why he did not attend meetings, and he often found out they were held the previous day. Batterman ·said it is not uncommon for people to skip meetings, and it is likely no one found Raaf's absence unusual. "You can't hold people's hands and make them come to meeti~gs," Batterman said. Raaf, who after 18 years as a fiscal conservative Republican, changed his party affiliation during this year's presidential primaries, said he is not bitter about his stint with the College Republicans. But he said he registered as a Democrat because he found the party's social platform more palatable.
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Flyin' high
Metro rugby team players lift Brian Davis to receive the toss-in ball in a scrimmage Saturday against the UNC and the Greeley men's team. The champi- · onship Metro team will host USC in its first season game, Saturday at noon.
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