A Catholic University Offers Queer Studies

The Chicago Tribune reports:

College student Eric Oliver sits in the classroom's front row, ready to learn about Italian poet Dante and Catholic theologian St. Thomas Aquinas and their views on morality and sin.

But this isn't a religion, philosophy or literature class. It's an introductory course in queer studies, and for the next 90 minutes, Oliver and his classmates study the history of same-sex desire, the biology of gender identity and government reactions to homosexual behavior. It is no longer remarkable that the subjects are taught, but on this day, it is notable where the discussion is taking place.

The classroom is on the campus of DePaul University, the country's largest Catholic university and, it is believed, the first Catholic school to offer an undergraduate minor in queer studies. The minor became available in January.

"I can see how it may seem like a big step," said Gary Cestaro, director of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer studies, the official name of the minor.

It amazing what you can get a degree in and have the federal government subsidize you, even at a Catholic school.