In Response to Kathleen Sheridan’s Statement From October 20, 2022

To the StFX Alumni Association,

Allow us to thank you for your statement regarding the incident on October 14, 2022. We are pleased to know that the hateful homophobic and transphobic comments have been acknowledged by the Alumni Association. However, we are disappointed and concerned that it took the Association almost a week to make a public statement about this. The only reason we have taken as long as we have to make this statement is in order to protect ourselves against the genuine dangers that we, as 2SLGBTIAA+ members face.

As current fourth-year students, soon to join this alumni community, we feel rightfully concerned that St. Francis Xavier University and the StFX Alumni Association are burying an incident rooted in hate towards the 2SLGBTQIAA+ community. This incident occurred in regards to the first annual Pride of StFX Awards, set to occur the following morning. This award is given to one fourth-year student and one alumni member who have demonstrated leadership in the 2SLBGTQIAA+ community. During our time at StFX, students are told over and over that we are to respect ourselves and others, as well as our greater community. We are told that that is what it means to a Xaverian. It is what we strive for to be respected by all of our community. That includes the alumni members.

In hearing about this incident, we learned that a revered member of our StFX community, Father Stanley MacDonald, was the first to speak up against the unnamed individual. He spoke against the hateful comments and stood up for those in the 2SLBGBTIAA+ community when we were not there to do it ourselves. This immediate response exemplifies what it means to be a Xaverian. To be a leader in our community is actions such as these.

Further, on a webpage from the official St. Francis Xavier University website discussing the X-Ring, there is a statement which will be included below:

After convocation, you will officially join Canada’s strongest alumni network, a community of more than 40,000 strong who proudly call StFX home. It’s a community that will be there to help and support you as you continue toward your next goal. So much so, the President of StFX’s Alumni Association famously challenges graduates to ‘test the network and discover the comfort and openness of the Xaverian family.’ (https://www.stfx.ca/why-stfx/x-ring)

 How are we supposed to “test the network and discover the comfort and openness of the Xaverian family,” if before we even join the alumni network, we are fighting to be accepted. How are we supposed to call a place home which disagrees in celebrating leadership in the 2SLGBTQIAA+ community?

We are set to become alumni in May of 2023 and we are concerned about how the Alumni Association and the wider StFX community will treat its 2SLGBTQIAA+ members. How can we to “proudly call StFX home,” when the resources meant to support us have instead allowed voices to disrespect and endanger us?

We are grateful for Kathleen Sheridan’s statement; however, that is all it is. Pretty words to cover a dirty incident. Each of us on the X-Pride Executive team are set to receive our X-Rings; however, for the first time since attending StFX, we are no longer excited. Kathleen Sheridan, the Alumni Association, Dr. Andy Hakin, the university administration, and the unnamed individual have proven to us that our voices are not valued or respected, and that you will continue to prioritise hateful rhetoric.

By not naming the individual responsible for the hateful comments, you are protecting him from the consequences of his actions, a lesson we learn as very young children which is perhaps one that he should revisit. For four years, we have been told that being a Xaverian means being respectful of others. You mean to tell us that this individual is someone who upholds these values? This is a person you want in the Xaverian community? Then it is NOT a community.

To the unnamed individual:

In hearing about the actions you took at the Alumni Association meeting on October 14, 2022, we were incredibly disappointed. You caused us to become frightened and scared. Most importantly, however, you managed to remind us why we as X-Pride executives are here. We are here to uphold our community values of acceptance and kindness, peace, and love. This message will hopefully allow you to reflect on your actions and consider how words like those you shared are the reason why 2SLBGTQIAA+ people have been fighting for as long as we have.

The university PR team constantly bombards students with messages about what it means to be a Xaverian, yet the standards we must uphold to support the StFX community does not seem to apply to you and the wider alumni community. In the words of Elizabeth Yeo (read Being Xaverian), being Xaverian means  “...emphasizing that positive community. You’re able to have fun, but you’re doing it with care for your community, and ultimately, that’s what being a community member is about”.

You have demonstrated that you do not believe in taking on community issues in order to build on StFX’s “...long history of social justice, community service, and positive action” (Yeo 2021). If you are not willing to positively contribute to the Xaverian community and support everyone in it, then you do not belong in it. Through this letter, we are ensuring that you are receiving the public scrutiny you should have originally received. It is cowardly to hide behind anonymity.

The X-Pride Executive Team demands that action be taken against this individual. They do not represent the values of a Xaverian. By protecting this alumnus from the consequences of his actions, you are actively showing students that the Xaverian community is not positive because it does not care about its marginalised members.

We, at X-Pride, are ashamed to be Xaverians.

Sincerely,

Abbi Moran & Maëlle Weber

Co-Presidents of X-Pride