A row has broken out among lecturers and students in University College, Dublin over a campaign by the university's Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) society to highlight sexuality and gender identity issues.
The campaign includes posters depicting two men who appear to be about to kiss, and stickers to be displayed in offices declaring them a "Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer positive space". It took place in the college last week, with the support of the Students's Union and college authorities.
However, the college's newspaper, the University Observer, this week reported that lecturers, as well as members of the college's Islamic society, had voiced concerns about the campaign. Dr David Brayden, a lecturer in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, stated - in an e-mail quoted in the newspaper - that the sticker campaign could "encourage unwanted advances from students".
Speaking yesterday to The Irish Times, Dr Brayden said he wished to emphasise that the quotes used in the article were taken out of context, and that he was not in any way seeking to promote homophobic views. "If it was to do with gender equality or advocating a certain political party, I'd feel the same," he said.
Mr Khosrou Kheradmand, auditor of the Islamic society, said most people he knew had objections to the poster. However, the newly appointed UCD vice-president for students, Prof Mary Clayton, said she would have no problem with any campaign which was simply encouraging sexual openness and awareness about sexual identity.
Mr Tadhg O'Brien, LGB rights officer with the Union of Students of Ireland, said that some people were misconstruing the nature of the campaign.