Ryerson Students' Union, representing all full-time and graduate students at Ryerson and RyePRIDE, representing the queer and Trans voices of Ryerson, are extremely concerned about the University's decision to award MARGARET SOMERVILLE an honourary degree on June 19, 2006 at 9:30am, as part of Ryerson's convocation ceremonies.

When questioned about the clear inappropriateness of its decision the University defended its decision by stating: "The decision about who receives honorary degrees from Ryerson University is made by the Awards & Ceremonials Committee of Academic Council. The selection of Professor Somerville as an honorary degree recipient was subject to the usual nominating and selection procedure of the committee."

Furthermore, the University stated it will uphold its decision because of its obligation to "free speech and to respect academic freedom even when the subject matters are difficult and challenging." Despite the narrow nominating process and review, and the rhetoric of free speech, the University's refusal to re-visit the decision is a clear slap in the face to those who feel that universities have a responsibility to promote the values of tolerance and respect.

Although Ryerson claims to respect and celebrate diversity in all its forms and the right of individuals to live free of discrimination, their actions to uphold this decision speaks louder than these words. Homophobia is not honorary in any form and no individual should be rewarded for propagating hate and intolerance in our communities.

For those of you who do not know Margaret Somerville, she is a McGill University ethicist and is widely known for her controversial views on same-sex marriage. In both the public and academic spheres Somerville has argued that same-sex marriage, "compromises the right for all children to be raised by both genders and to know their biological parents".

Her argument not only ignores the fact that marriage is much more than just procreation and childrearing for both heterosexual and homosexual couples, but it also fails to acknowledge that children of single parents families, adopted children or those conceived through reproductive technologies (NRTs) may also be unable to identify their
biological parents.

On numerous occasions, Somerville described marriage as a symbol of procreation and said that gay marriage destroys that role. Somerville defends such views but professes not to be anti-gay; she just believes marriage is about having children and respecting their right to have both a mother and a father.

The University's attempt to defend its decision by hiding behind the issue of "freedom of speech" is hypocritical. The hypocrisy of this defence is evident when compared against the University's response to matters of racial, ethnic or gender discrimination and/or prejudice. The University's immediate and unequivocal denunciation of anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish graffiti and literature on campus demonstrated that the University recognises that some speech is beyond defence and unacceptable.

Ryerson University, located in the heart of Toronto, just blocks away from Toronto's LGBTQ community should be an institution that celebrates the courage of queer students, staff and faculty who have come out of the closet rather than honouring those who would seek to slam the door on equality and human rights.

Toronto's annual Pride 'raising of the flag' will take place on June 19, the same day Margaret Somerville is scheduled to be honoured by Ryerson. We feel strongly that in recognizing the work of Margaret Somerville through the granting of an honorary degree the University administration is acting in a manner that is contradictory to the discrimination and harassment policies of Ryerson University.

We are asking you to stand up for human rights, and join us in urging Ryerson's President, Sheldon Levy to do the right thing and rescind this honorary degree.

Contact the President of Ryerson University Sheldon Levy, today to call on him to stand up against prejudice at Ryerson University and to demand equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or sexual preference.

Sheldon Levy, President
Ryerson University
350 Victoria Street, JOR-1307
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 2K3

TEL: 416-979-5000 ext: 5002
FAX: 416-979-5292
EMAIL: pres@ryerson.ca or slevy@ryerson.ca

Please lend your support by forwarding this communication widely and signing the on-line petition at:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/5087MCT/petition.html

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