An unofficial gay and lesbian group on the University of Saint Francis' campus - a Catholic university - is claiming a “double standard” after saying one of the school's staff members is a lesbian.

The LGBT, or the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group, sought official recognition from the campus last year, but was denied. They are now claiming that denial of official recognition “makes no sense,” according to the flier, because one of USF's high-ranking staff members is a lesbian.

The group named the campus official in a flier circulated on campus. The official could not be reached for comment.

The flier was sent out two weeks ago to many faculty and staff members on campus. It is unknown if students also received copies. The flier is pushing for official recognition again and cites other universities, such as IPFW, which have recognized these types of student organizations.

Sister M. Elise Kriss, president of the university, said she was confused when she got the flier because she thought the issue of recognition was resolved last year.

“We just cannot formally recognize this as a student club … according to our faith,” Kriss said. “I don't think you'll find a group like this in any Catholic institution.”

Kriss did say that there is nothing keeping this group from meeting. They just cannot be formally recognized.

“Anybody can meet on campus informally,” she said.

“I don't think it's worth making an issue on campus.”

Kriss also said she did not know if the accusation about the staff member being a lesbian is true, but she did not care. “I'm not asking that question, and I'm not checking,” she said, explaining that if that person is performing her job well, she has no reason to care about her sexual orientation.

Kriss said the campus has been proactive in response to the group's request last year by creating an educational group that addresses concerns from a ministerial perspective. She said that has been working well.