Over the last couple of weeks, Rainbow Alliance’s straight ally-led initiative, the All of Us Campaign, has been a subject of controversy and discussion around Saint Louis University’s campus. The last edition of The University News featured several commentaries expressing a gamut of emotions over the temporary hold put on the All of Us Campaign by SLU administrators. We as leadership of Rainbow Alliance and of the All of Us Campaign wish to share our thoughts about the events leading to the final resolution of the situation on Tuesday.

When we first informed our membership of the concerns SLU administrators had that the All of Us Campaign may have inconsistencies with the Jesuit Mission of SLU, there was, understandably, anger and frustration. At certain points, we worried that we had hit a brick wall. That is when our administrators surprised us.

Several administrators, including Scott Smith, Ph.D, Kent Porterfield, Ed.D., Donna Bess, Lisa Reiter and Jennifer Scheessele demonstrated incredible compassion, dedication, initiative and leadership by spending countless hours meeting with us and other members of the student body. Because of their efforts, we were able to complete an Ally Pledge for the All of Us Campaign that students and the University could support.

The agreed upon Ally Pledge, viewable on the Campaign’s Facebook group, “All of Us Campaign (SLU Chapter),” makes Saint Louis University one of the most forward-looking Catholic universities in the country on LGBT issues.

As students, we have a natural tendency to develop an “Us vs. Them” mentality when situations like these happen. Through this process, however, it has become clear that administrators are not the enemy. While we sometimes disagree, our common interest in the development and growth of our university unites us to change SLU for the better.

Julianna Heck
President-elect, Rainbow Alliance

Thomas Bloom
Vice president-elect, Rainbow Alliance