Jesuit university president apologizes for tweet celebrating gay marriage

The president of the University of San Francisco, a Jesuit institution, has apologized for a tweet celebrating the Supreme Court’s nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in June.

"Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage nationwide in wake of #SFPride-@USF_LTMC #LoveWins," reads the tweet from USF’s official Twitter account and the accompanying photo features a photo of the California State Capitol lit in rainbow colors. The tweet has since been deleted.

University President Father Paul Fitzgerald, S.J. told Catholic Education Daily that the tweet featured on the university’s official twitter account was inappropriate and made in error by an inexperienced staff member. He added that the University of San Francisco (USF) supports the Church’s teaching, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

“The university regrets any misunderstanding caused by the erroneous post and will provide closer oversight over posts on official social media platforms in the future,” reads the president’s statement, which was released to the Cardinal Newman Society.

As previously reported by Campus Reform, a number of the university’s social media accounts made multiple postings featuring the ruling along with student and staff participation in a Pride March.

“Fernando, our Coordinator for Community Partnerships is wearing his #USFCA Pride shirt while marching in the Parade today. Show off your best #USFCA Pride t-shirt and tag us on Instagram @McCarthy_Center, Facebook and Twitter @USF_LTMC for a chance to be featured! #usfcaLTMC#SFPride2015,” reads a Facebook post featured on the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good, which is part of the university.

Another post shared on the university’s official Facebook account is a photo of a card stating "Proudly part of the city that defines the word "pride,"" and featuring the university's official logo.

"Proudly repping at #SFPride- via Mammakarma #bestcityever #scotus #lovewins,” reads the post.

A number of photos shared on the USF’s social media accounts expressed pride in both the university and participating in the parade. Another post features a large group of young people holding a banner with the university’s logo and the hashtags “#lovewins” and “#pride.”

The university’s mascot attended the pride parade, according to one retweet still featured on the USF Twitter account. The “Don” is wearing a sticker which states “Proudly Part of the City that Defines 'Pride.'” The two men standing next to him are wearing t-shirts which say “Pride 2015: University of San Francisco.”

The LGBTQ Caucus at the university encouraged people to RSVP to the Pride Parade and San Francisco, which occurred June 28th.

Andrea Wise, co-chair of the USFCA LGBTQ Caucus for Faculty/Staff and Assistant Director of Community-Engaged Learning at the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good said in a McCarthy Center blog post that she has helped grow the "USF presence" at the San Francisco Pride Parade "from 75 people in 2013 to 200 participants this year."

"Our spirited marchers are green and gold-clad USF faculty, staff, students, alums, and their families who are committed to the Jesuit calling of respecting the dignity of every person….Given the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruling, the Pride parade was even more fun than usual, with people holding “Love Wins” signs, dressing up as the Supreme Court Justices, and glittering up every corner!" she wrote in the post.

The university spokesperson and the chairs of the LGBTQ Caucus did not respond to Campus Reform’s requests for comment in time for publication.

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