Rachel Barter ’27

by Rachel Barter ’27 on March 19, 2026

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Dear Editors of The Cowl,

The Feb. 27 edition of The Cowl included a letter to the editor objecting to the Heated Rivalry portfolio section insert cover that appeared in the Feb. 12 issue. 

Foremost, I disagree with the author’s sweeping statements that, “…the Church is not okay with same-sex relations,” and therefore that the insert cover is in opposition to Providence College’s Catholic tradition. I want to recognize that the Catholic Church does not condone gay marriage or same-sex sexual acts (neither of which were depicted on the insert cover). However, the very existence of SHEPARD as a club on PC’s campus, a group for all members of the LGBTQQIAA* community whose name stands for Stopping Homophobia, Eliminating Prejudice and Restoring Dignity, contradicts the statement that the Heated Rivalry insert cover, as well as any other “explicit[ly] homosexual” representation, is in opposition to PC’s Catholic tradition. Objecting to and attempting to suppress a representation of two gay men in The Cowl is an example of homophobia, prejudice, and alienation, which PC recognizes, through the existence of SHEPARD, is unacceptable. The language of the letter to the editor and its assertions are extremely harmful and hateful which is, in itself, arguably contrary to Catholic teachings.

Moreover, I found it contradictory to believe in the freedom of the press and a student’s ability to openly share opinions “even if they happen to oppose Catholic teaching,” while objecting to the inclusion of two gay characters in our student newspaper. In fact, this letter silences the voices and representations of people who have opinions that “oppose Catholic teaching” and are using their voices to “express counter-cultural media, content that is overlooked and even reviled by the majority,” as demonstrated by this letter in response to the insert cover.

Lastly, I want to address the letter’s assertion that the insert cover as well as any other “explicit[ly] homosexual” representations have “no business being published in a Catholic school’s newspaper” because the “prominence of [insert cover] represents the student-body views as a whole.” First, as a student-run newspaper, The Cowl includes opinions and material for all students who choose to participate rather than pieces deemed to “represent[] the student-body views as a whole.” Second, the entire student body is not Catholic nor is the entire student-body “not okay with same-sex relations,” so using the logic of the letter, it would be representative for The Cowl to include a singular representation of gay love, accompanied by numerous heterosexual representations of love in the Valentine’s Day edition.

Here at PC, we should welcome everyone. But we should never welcome homophobia.

Sincerely, 

Rachel Barter ’27

Vice President of SHEPARD