University Acknowledges ‘Inadequate’ Response to Flyer Urging LGBT Students to Kill Themselves

Initially Reaffirmed Commitment to First Amendment 

Cleveland State University has acknowledged its “inadequate” response to a flyer posted on campus urging LGBT students to kill themselves.

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“On Thursday, October 12, appalling white supremacist flyers attacking our LGBTQ+ community and racial and religious minorities were discovered in the Main Classroom Building at Cleveland State University,” the University released in a statement. “The flyers were immediately removed. Hate has no place in our community. It never will.” 

“We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent message on these flyers. An attack on one group is an attack on our whole campus,” it continued. “We unwaveringly value our marginalized students, faculty and staff, we honor them and we will always support them. Therefore, we must come together as one to show that inclusion and respect will prevail.”

The statement then noted “that this hateful act and the University’s inadequate initial response made many members of our diverse community of students, faculty and staff feel unsafe, unheard and unvalued.”

The university’s acknowledgement of their lackluster response followed social media outrage and campus demonstrations after Cleveland State president Ronald Berkman reaffirmed the school’s commitment to free speech.

As TIME reported:

University president Ronald Berkman originally said the school was committed to upholding free speech rights instead of explicitly condemning the flyer.

“We will continue to protect free speech to ensure all voices may be heard and to promote a civil discourse where educational growth is the desired result,” Berkman said at the time.

The school’s response angered students and provoked protests, petitions, and a tense, crowded town hall meeting where students spoke about LGBT people they knew who took their own lives.

The flyer, which was posted on the very day a new LGBT center opened on campus, contained statistics on LGBT suicides – and urged students to “follow their fellow faggots.” It showed the silhouette of a man hanging himself.

Both the school president’s response and the flyer can be seen below:

Berkman acknowledged personally that he “failed to express [his] personal outrage,” tweeting additional commentary on the matter:

Cleveland State University further advised that it will create an advisory committee and offer additional sensitivity training.

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