TALLAHASSEE, FL – A Florida state legislator is picking a fight with the University of Florida over the recent appointment of a coordinator for gay and lesbian affairs, and over what he claims is a vast liberal conspiracy on campus.Rep. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) has claimed that liberal interests are dominating university policies and discriminating against conservative students and their families, although he offered few specific examples of the alleged discrimination. Baxley, a conservative Christian who last year rented out a local movie theater so that he could show other lawmakers a private screening of Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ, has introduced legislation that would set rules on how student government funds could be used.
Baxley has also decried university visits by adult entertainment star Ron Jeremy and other liberal speakers.
“Ron Jeremy, too, is another person I’m not fond of,” said Baxley, after previous comments attacking filmmaker Michael Moore. “I don’t consider [Jeremy] an academic expert on anything. I’m just trying to raise the bar.”
Jeremy is a frequent speaker at universities where he is often pitted in fiery debates against conservative, anti-pornography speakers. These debates are often organized and funded by student-run organizations interested in Jeremy’s views on sexuality.
“I hope that the bill is not trying to limit what we can do with our [student government] funds,” said Jamal Sowell, UF Student Body President. “I think that such powers should stay in the hands of the student body.”
Baxley also took issue with the appointment of Tamara Cohen to the newly created position of coordinator for gay and lesbian affairs.
“We’re in a culture war in this country of ideas,” said Baxley. “When I see things like UF rushing to have the first coordinator for gay and lesbian academia, it makes it difficult for me to come up here and support giving more taxpayer dollars to institutions with these kinds of values.”
University spokesperson Steve Orlando was supportive of the new position.
“The goal of this position is to provide support for gay and lesbian students and to help eliminate discrimination as they pursue their education. The University of Florida provides staff to work with many student populations, including African-American, Asian and Hispanic, among others.”
