University of Virginia: Group targeted couple, LGBTQ community, statement says

[mahatmakanejeeves]

NEWS

Sullivan, Katsouleas condemn slur during Lighting of the Lawn's Good Old Song

Group targeted couple, LGBTQ community, statement says

by Owen Robinson | Dec 07 2015 | 12/07/15 12:14am

University President Teresa Sullivan and Provost Thomas Katsouleas released a statement on Friday in response to a slur directed against the LGBTQ community at Thursday’s Lighting of the Lawn.

Voiced by a group of college-aged males, the “derogatory slur” was targeted at a couple in their immediate vicinity during the singing of the Good Old Song, according to the statement.

Though Sullivan and Katsouleas did not specify what the particular slur was, the University has long fought to stop students from chanting “not gay” after the line “where all is bright and gay” in the second verse of the Good Old Song.

Sullivan and Katsouleas condemned the act and said such behavior had no place in the University community.

[underpants]

1. Been to several UVa football games

And you hear GAY sing loudly when they play that song after touchdowns. You also hear "not gay" murmured or people pass on the word. There is usually some chuckling as well. It has been a long running thing there. Not dismissing this story just adding some local knowledge.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. I should add some context to that.

The song in question is The Good Old Song, specifically one phrase in it.

Modern performance and controversy

The song can most often be heard at football games immediately following each Cavalier score (or the extra point attempt). Virginia alumni and fans join hands or embrace as they sway back and forth singing the first verse of the song followed by pumping fists to the chant. It is reserved for celebrating the success of a score and is never sung during play, merely as a cheer. The song is also sung following victories in other sports, such as men's basketball.

Over the past thirty years, it has become a practice of some fans to chant "Not gay!" after the line "Where all is bright and gay," in what has been described as a homophobic act by the Cavalier Daily. Petitions and organized protests against the practice began in 2001.

The story has been going around at Outsports for years. I sent them this article too.

Thank you for writing. Happy New Year.

[underpants]

3. Thanks

Happy New Year!