TV Show To Feature Harvard

The controversy over homosexuality on campus will be featured in an upcoming television documentary spotlighting multi culturalism on college campuses across the country, the program's producer said yesterday.

The documentary, made by Manifold Productions of Hollywood, Calif. and scheduled to air in early 1993, will focus on the controversy over homosexuality at Harvard.

Campus debate on the subject was sparked last fall by the controversial November 1991 issue of Peninsula, a conservative campus magazine, and intensified by the subsequent announcement of the Reverend Peter J. Gomes, Plummer professor of Christian morals that he is gay.

Michael Pack, president of Manifold and producer of the documentary, said that members of his staff are talking to students, professors and administrators at Harvard.

The company is asking "broader questions aboutthe direction of the university as a whole," Packsaid.

Specifically, the production staff isconsidering "what the university should do toinclude women, minorities, and gays in the Harvardcommunity, in the curriculum and in other symbolicand real representations," Pack said.

The group has mainly focused on members ofPeninsula and the Bisexual, Gay and LesbianStudents Association (BGLSA), Pack said.

Pack said Manifold wrote two letters to Gomesrequesting an interview, but the minister declinedto participate. They also asked to film him duringa service at Memorial Church, but he refused, Packsaid.

The company worked at Harvard for three dayslast week. They conducted interviews, filmed aBGLSA meeting and a protest staged on the steps ofMemorial Church by members of the newly formedConcerned Christians at Harvard, who call forGome's resignation.

"I think it's important to have your issuespresented," said Sandi L. Dubowski '92, co-chairof BGLSA, who was interviewed for the program."The more publicity the better. I want people toknow Harvard is a great place to come out--there'sa strong gay community and administrativesupport," he said.

Javier I. Romero '95, a BGLSA member alsointerviewed by Manifold, said he was asked abouthis involvement in the homosexuality controversyand his perception of campus atmosphere andattitudes toward homosexuals.

Roger J. Landry '92, a member of thePeninsula Council, said that in hisinterview with Manifold he talked about thedifficulty of publishing a magazine that presentsan unpopular viewpoint at Harvard.

"They wanted to get a general feel of what it'slike to be a conservative at a liberalinstitution. They were asking tough questions andmaking us reflect on our experiences," he said.

Pack said he expects the documentary to befinished next fall and to air approximately sixmonths later on public television

The company is asking "broader questions aboutthe direction of the university as a whole," Packsaid.

Specifically, the production staff isconsidering "what the university should do toinclude women, minorities, and gays in the Harvardcommunity, in the curriculum and in other symbolicand real representations," Pack said.

The group has mainly focused on members ofPeninsula and the Bisexual, Gay and LesbianStudents Association (BGLSA), Pack said.

Pack said Manifold wrote two letters to Gomesrequesting an interview, but the minister declinedto participate. They also asked to film him duringa service at Memorial Church, but he refused, Packsaid.

The company worked at Harvard for three dayslast week. They conducted interviews, filmed aBGLSA meeting and a protest staged on the steps ofMemorial Church by members of the newly formedConcerned Christians at Harvard, who call forGome's resignation.

"I think it's important to have your issuespresented," said Sandi L. Dubowski '92, co-chairof BGLSA, who was interviewed for the program."The more publicity the better. I want people toknow Harvard is a great place to come out--there'sa strong gay community and administrativesupport," he said.

Javier I. Romero '95, a BGLSA member alsointerviewed by Manifold, said he was asked abouthis involvement in the homosexuality controversyand his perception of campus atmosphere andattitudes toward homosexuals.

Roger J. Landry '92, a member of thePeninsula Council, said that in hisinterview with Manifold he talked about thedifficulty of publishing a magazine that presentsan unpopular viewpoint at Harvard.

"They wanted to get a general feel of what it'slike to be a conservative at a liberalinstitution. They were asking tough questions andmaking us reflect on our experiences," he said.

Pack said he expects the documentary to befinished next fall and to air approximately sixmonths later on public television