Voices raised over column at UW

About 200 people attended a rally Friday at the University of Washington to protest an anti-gay-marriage column that ran in the student newspaper, The Daily.

Protesters say language in the column, including a reference to bestiality, and the accompanying image of a man standing next to a sheep amounted to hate speech. But speakers differed on whether the paper should be censured.

Ana Mari Cauce, the UW's dean of arts and sciences, spoke of her struggles coming out as a lesbian and the hurt she felt in reading the column.

"But the antidote to free speech is more free speech," she said. "I am thankful that I am living in a country where everyone has the right to express their opinions."

On the other hand, the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) this week passed a resolution demanding the paper apologize.

However, The Daily's editor-in-chief, Sarah Jeglum, said she stands behind the decision to run the column and isn't planning an apology.

In a Friday column, Jeglum said she had learned "Free speech is for everyone. It's not just for the majority, and it's not just for the minority."

That difference of opinion, if not resolved, could lead to a showdown between the editors of the newspaper and the elected students who sit on the publications board that oversees The Daily.

Dave Iseminger, GPSS vice president, said his group might seek changes at the newspaper through its seat on the publications board — unless the paper apologizes.

UW President Mark Emmert has weighed in, taking out a half-page ad in Friday's issue of The Daily in which he says the university is committed to ensuring a welcoming environment for students from "all different backgrounds, including sexual orientation."

He went on to say the university is committed to free speech and the free exchange of ideas.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com