To the LGBTQ community and ASU students:
The LGBTQ Coalition has recently been made aware that ASASUW Presidential candidate, Twyla Haggerty, has been accused of being homophobic, as well as a plethora of other allegations. Homophobia is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. Heterosexist ideologies affect thousands of ASU students, and any candidate who subscribes to such an ideology has no place in our student government.
That being said, I would like to make it clear that the allegations against Ms Haggerty are entirely unfounded.
A number of LGBTQ Coalition members have worked with Ms Haggerty, and have never found her to be homophobic. In reality, she is a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ community. Ms Haggerty has been a member of the Human Rights Campaign (an LGBT rights advocacy group) for 2 years, and she is supportive of the establishment of an LGBTQ resource center at ASU. She has been vocal about her support for LGBTQ rights, and has participated in—as wells as organized—rallies for LGBTQ rights.
I am confident in saying that Ms Haggerty is not homophobic.
With this is mind, it is my hope that ASU-West students will not be swayed by hearsay or rumors, and will evaluate each ASASUW candidate based on his/her/hir qualifications for office before voting.
This should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Ms Haggerty’s run for office (the LGBTQ Coalition has not endorsed any ASASUW candidate), but rather as an endorsement of her integrity as an ASU student, and as an active member of our community.
Each of us deserves to be free from baseless character attacks, as they are harmful to all members of the ASU community.
Stay cool, stay queer,
Joshua Judd
Special Issues, LGBTQ Coalition