Notre Dame announces changes in support, service for LGBT students

The University of Notre Dame announced plans today to provide more support and services for LGBT students, including creating a university-recognized student organization.

The move stops short of creating an officially recognized gay-straight student alliance club on campus, which some students and employees have requested repeatedly over many years.

The changes announced today are part of a comprehensive pastoral plan that includes an array of initiatives based on Notre Dame's Catholic mission, the university announced in a written statement.

The plan, titled "Beloved Friends and Allies: A Pastoral Plan for the Support and Holistic Development of GLBTQ and Heterosexual Students at the University of Notre Dame," was crafted by members of the university's Student Affairs staff. The university announcement states the plan follows a study of Catholic doctrine and teaching, listening sessions with students, and an examination of student clubs and structures at other Catholic universities.