Senator Seeks to Ban Louganis

TAMPA, Fla. — A state senator fearing “moral decadence” wants the University of South Florida to cancel a speech by Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis, who is gay and HIV-positive.

Sen. John Grant (R-Tampa) said he could not justify future spending increases for state universities if student money is used to pay for the four-time Olympic gold-medal winner’s scheduled April 3 speech.

“Such a presentation represents moral decadence and is an embarrassment to the university community,” Grant, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, wrote in a Jan. 14 letter to Betty Castor, the university president.

University officials say the speech will go on.

“We do want to challenge people to debate issues,” said Neil Cohen, director of the university’s lecture series. “I think Mr. Louganis represents something that’s worth listening to.”

Louganis is being paid $14,000 from an annual student activity fee to deliver the keynote address at the school’s third annual Gay and Lesbian Awareness Week. A committee of students and faculty selects the speakers.