So the controversy over the appointment of Dr. Li Ann Thio as Visiting Professor at NYU's Law School continues with Dr. Thio being assigned to teach Human Rights Law in Asia.
Dr. Thio claims to have gay friends, and not to hate gay people — she is just opposed to gay agenda. Where have we heard this before? Oh yes, from her intellectual teachers at Focus On The Family, whose associated church she is connected to in Singapore.
Here is someone who claims that she has nothing against gay people, she just wants them to be labeled as criminals or suspected criminals for their physical expression of love in the privacy of their own homes. And she doesn't see that as a human rights issue.
In the last week, AboveTheLaw.com published a complaint from an NYU student about Dr. Thio's appointment, and a response from Dr. Thio, who feels personally attacked by the protests. No doubt there have been ad hominem attacks. It's interesting to see her respond to uncivil words in response to the her desire to criminalize an entire group of people — efectively denying them their civil rights.
NYU has refused to rescind the invitation, and the dean of the law school has vigoursly defended the appointment. But NYU students have made the issue fairly moot by avoiding registration in her class. By last count, her class on Human Rights in Asia has 5 full registrants. Compare this with classes by queer legal scholar Kenji Yoshino who has had over 200 people try to register for each section of his courses.
What makes this all particularly sad is that the state of human rights in Asia is an extremely important subject, and one that should be taught every semester. The subject of women's rights and human trafficking alone would fill an entire curriculum.
NYU Law alumnae, Jill Filipovic at Feministe, suggested that her financial support of the school may take a turn:
I would like to suggest however, that Ms. Filipovic, rather than contribute to an LGBT rights group here, send her money to human rights organizations in Asia, which clearly need more help. Starting perhaps with the Somali Mam Foundation.
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