Professor Criticized For Anti-Gay Writings

Many universities encourage an open exchange of ideas by their professors. But some wonder if the line between free speech and discriminatory thoughts has been crossed at Washington University.
When you visit the Washington University Physics Department Website, you can access Professor Jonathan Katz's articles on gamma ray bursts. There's also a link to Katz's personal Website.
Katz's ideas are available in several articles on his Website, including "In Defense Of Homophobia", an essay outlining Katz's opinions on homosexuality.
Katz wrote, referring to recipients of HIV contaminated transfusions, "Guilt for their deaths is on the hands of the homosexuals and intravenous drug abusers who poisoned the blood supply. These people died so the sodomites could feel good about themselves."
"I'm not a bigot. I come to a moral judgment. My moral judgment is that certain behavior is evil and immoral. It's immoral because it kills people," said Katz.
Washington University student Jeff Stepp says although he has no problem with Katz and his opinions, he does have a problem with Katz's articles being linked to the University Website, "As a public figure in the University, what he says in some small way, especially if it's on University Web space, stands for the university. And do we want this as part of our community?"
A spokesman says Washington University has a strict policy regarding discrimination, and in the school's opinion Professor Katz has not violated that policy, he has simply exercised his right to express an opinion.
Katz says his opinions have no bearing on his view of students, "I don't want to hear about their private life. It's none of my business. My opinions, if they don't like them, are none of their business."
Stepp still has some concerns, "I would like a discussion about tolerance. How do we work with faculty who we have disagreements with, and do we need to look at our computer use policy?"
Katz's Website includes a disclaimer from the University regarding his opinions. Stepp wrote an article about Katz's Website, which was published on the Student Life section of the Website. Stepp hopes he gets responses from the Washington University community.
from KSDK.com