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No sex please, we're Maties
31/03/2003 23:55 - (SA)
Thinus Ferreira, Die Burger
Stellenbosch - The University of Stellenbosch (US) plans to draw up a policy dealing with homosexual students and sexual activities in residences soon.
Under the policy, gay and lesbian students will not be allowed in the residences of same-sex friends after 23:30.
The US is also expected to draw up regulations that prohibit all sexual activity in residence rooms.
However, the US was not able to say how it would distinguish between homosexual and heterosexual students, or who would be peeking through keyholes to ensure that the regulations are enforced.
"Because the US welcomes greater diversity, there are more people who are prepared to openly express their gay lifestyle and opinions.
"We have become aware that there might be such activities and relationships on our campus and in residences," professor PG du Plessis, dean of students, said.
"It is not a major issue or problem that we are dealing with. We just want to enable residential committees, students and heads of residences to deal with such situations should they arise," he said.
He admitted that the US would not be able to determine whether a person is gay or not.
Intercourse unacceptable
"If people have the courage of their convictions to make such lifestyle choices, we expect that they would have the courage to disclose their choices."
He said the university would have to determine how same-sex relationships should be managed while still maintaining the privacy that it wants to guarantee in residences.
Du Plessis said he was not willing to confirm that the policy would prohibit sexual activities among students, but said sexual intercourse was unacceptable.
Mia Cloete, chairperson of the US's Lesbigay Society, said the plan was ridiculous.
"It definitely discriminates against gays. We thought it was only a rumour - nobody could really contemplate such a thing. Why should we have different rules than others?"
The policy will be formulated during the next quarter. Residences have been asked to comment on the proposed policy.
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