UMich Law School invites anti-LGBT Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) as commencenment speaker

[Bozita]

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/04/rob_portmans_gay_rights_positi.html

Rob Portman's gay rights positions have some Michigan students protesting his selection as commencement speaker
Published: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 7:53 PM Updated: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 7:57 PM
By Stephen Koff, The Plain Dealer


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Rob Portman is a 1984 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, and proud of it. The law school dean is proud of Portman, too, and says Portman will make an inspirational commencement speaker for this year's law grads on May 7.

But Portman's voting record on gay and lesbian rights is inspiring some students to protest. According to an article in the Michigan Daily, a University of Michigan student newspaper, hundreds of students have expressed outrage in letters and meetings, saying that Portman's "openly hostile" position on gay rights makes him an inappropriate choice.

They want the invitation to speak rescinded. The law school, however, says that's not going to happen.

Portman is best known for economic issues, and gay rights were not a focus when Portman and Democratic candidate Lee Fisher faced off for election last November. But Portman's position is clear.

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