After covering the story on the LGBT Colloquium and the subsequent uproar caused by AFA’s Diane Gramley, I could not help but feel the need to express my opinion on the matter.

I was utterly disturbed by the absurdity of Gramley and the American Family Association of Pennsylvania’s fundamentalist beliefs. When I heard about the statement that appeared on the AFA website, I found myself wondering, “don’t these people have anything better to do?”

What disturbed me most about the statement was not its views on Christianity and homosexuality. I am a firm believer that everyone has a right to his or her own opinion. Even in cases such as this when I disagree with their views, I respect them. It was the mere fact that they were attacking a college-sponsored colloquium.

According to fundamentalist beliefs, the Bible does not condone the practice and celebration of homosexuality. As Gramley said in her statement, “The official position is self-explanatory: homosexual practice is incompatible with Christian teaching.”

OK, I get that, but perhaps someone should have explained to Gramley exactly what a colloquium is before letting her publicly attack one.

The LGBT Colloquium was intended to start a conversation on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues by bringing in lecturers and performers specializing in human identity. Allegheny College sought to stir an educated discussion amongst its students, faculty and staff by hosting an educational set of presentations. The College took no stance on the matter and was simply presenting information. To my knowledge, there were no Gay Pride parades, no rainbow flags or balloons in sight. Both heterosexual and homosexual individuals attended the presentations; in fact, I even know a few Christians who went.

Perhaps the only thing more shocking to me than Gramley’s insensitivity may be the fact that she is completely ignorant of her blatant hypocrisy. Homosexuality is wrong, but judging an entire minority is cool with Jesus as long as you claim to be doing it in the name of our Holy Father?

Maybe I’m wrong, and maybe my Bible has collected some dust since my Sunday school days, but isn’t there a verse that goes something like, “Judge not lest ye be judged”? Funny, considering the basis of Christian Fundamentalism is a literal interpretation and adherence to the Bible.

But then again, I could be wrong. Maybe I missed the verse that tells Fundamentalists to pick and choose which parts of the gospel to follow depending on convenience.