Q: I have a dilemma as a student in a state university that is liberal. I am taking a required class on diversity in literature for my major in education. We are to choose books from certain awards the professor has put in the syllabus. One of these awards is the Stonewall Awards, which is all about LGBTQ books. I was looking through the books and they all seem to be pro-gay. As a Catholic, what can I do if I’m required to do assignments on these books for a module of two weeks? Should I do the minimum or read fewer books than required? Should I just take a risk and not do any assignment? I doubt that my teacher would be understanding if I tried to avoid these books. And she practices ungrading, so I don’t even know how much it would affect my grade if I don’t do the module. What can I do? – Karen
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: The answer is: it depends.
If you can read some of these books without compromising your faith or putting yourself in a near occasion of sin, it might be licit.
After all, if you want to learn how to counter pro-LGBTQ arguments, it helps to understand those arguments “from the inside.” Some familiarity with this literature might equip you to challenge it.
In no way, however, should you signal support for LGBTQ lifestyles. This will require a balancing act.
By all means, reach out to the professor and see if a compromise can be struck.
If she turns you down and you hit obstacles elsewhere, you might want to reconsider whether this university is the best place to pursue a degree. Many institutions of higher learning seem more interested in ideological indoctrination than in serious scholarship.
In any case, you might look for a way to supplement your current studies by reading serious literature.
You might want to look ahead and consider how you will navigate the field of education once you graduate. Many public schools (and lamentably even some Catholic ones) foster a secular agenda. How will you navigate those minefields?
It would help to intensify your prayer life and sacramental life and seek out a solid confessor or Catholic mentor to guide you.
It might help, too, to start connecting with Catholic groups that promote classic education and traditional moral values.
Count on my prayers.
