EXCLUSIVE: Acevedo Judo Chops Gender Controversy

By Michael A. Harris

Staff Writer

CLAS Student Government President William Acevedo (USL) sparked controversy at a Feb. 27 Student Assembly meeting when he proposed the opening of segregated self-defense classes for students "born as males" and another for students "born as females," but in an exclusive interview with the Kingsman, he blamed the blunder on his being misinformed.

"The self-defense and martial arts courses will in fact be co-ed and we are now co-sponsoring them with the Women's Center," Acevedo explained. "My announcement last week was based on old and inaccurate information obtained from the school. I have now learned that both courses will be open to all students."

Acevedo had faced some tough questioning from Assembly Government Operations Committee Chairwoman Heather Squire (USL), who asked him if the proposal constituted gender discrimination. Squire also promised to grill the president once more when he returned to the assembly to request funding.

"Any discrimination or distinction on the basis of gender or even gender identity would be illegal," said City Commission on Human Rights Spokeswoman Beverly Herzog of Acevedo's proposal. "If a student were to biologically be a female student, but identify as a male student, under city law that would have to be honored. The 'biologically born a female' clause, if it were attempted to be enforced would definitely be illegal."

CLAS Assembly Speaker Pinni Bohm (PHD) said that the Assembly would not have approved the funding had Acevedo's proposal made it to the floor as originally put together. "I would have referred it to the Government Operations Committee to investigate the legality of the situation," he said. Bohm later added that "public monies could not be used to fund single-gender programs."

Acevedo said that two self-defense courses at a cost to the college of $500 each would be held at some time in April, as would two martial arts courses, costing about $800. He said that exact dates had not yet been determined.

"Both programs will be free to all Brooklyn College students and once we have dates, we'll try to get them advertised in the Kingsman," he said.

The president added that he would be interested in participating in the program. "Absolutely," said Acevedo, who has prior martial arts experience. "I am very much looking forward to both of them."