Rejected by Their Catholic Alma Mater, Lesbian Couple Goes on to Win Couple’s Contest
Two lesbian alumni recently won a Valentines Day contest at a private Philadelphia Catholic university after the school initially refused them from entering into the competition, NBC 10 Philadelphia reported.
Megan Edwards and her partner Katie MacTurk entered the "How I Met My Hawk Mate" contest, which was presented by the St. Joseph University alumni association. All alumni who met their partner at the college were invited to submit their story and photo to the group’s Facebook page. Whichever couple received the most "likes" by Valentines Day would win the contest.
Pennsylvania does not recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions or domestic partnerships.
When the couple submitted their story and photo, the Jesuit university’s alumni association refused to post it to its Facebook page. School officials explained that it did not allow the couple to enter the contest because of the Catholic Church’s opposition to same-sex marriages.
Edwards and MacTurk’s story spread over Facebook, which caused several outraged users to leave angry comments on the St. Joseph’s alumni Facebook page.
The college’s alumni association responded to the public outcry. "Saint Joseph’s University fully supports and is in agreement with the Catholic Church’s teachings regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage," the association said in a statement. "As a Catholic, Jesuit university, Saint Joseph’s is a welcoming, inclusive community. Our focus is on respect and caring for all individuals as individuals."
"I never thought that many people would support us and really fight for this," said MacTurk. "I think it attests to the caliber of students that St. Joe’s producers that so many people would really stand up for what they believe is right no matter who the injustice has been committed against."
On Feb. 2 the alumni organization apparently bowed to their constituency and, despite church strictures, posted the couple’s photo. Edwards and MacTurk won the contest as their photo had the most "likes."
The Alumni Association then sent out a blanket statement that singled out the two female winners: "Dear Alumni, We sincerely thank everyone who participated in the ’How I Met My Hawkmate’ contest. We are grateful to all alumni who shared their heartwarming stories with us. Congratulations to our winners Megan Edwards ’09 and Katie MacTurk ’09."
