Carleton University's students union is planning to protest the granting of an honorary degree to Ottawa's highest-profile rabbi because of his association with an organization they call "homophobic."

The honorary doctor of laws is to be given to Rabbi Reuven Bulka as part of convocation ceremonies on June 13 in recognition of "an outstanding career as a community leader and scholar and as a leading figure in humanitarian affairs."

But Carleton University Students' Association and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Queer Centre at the university said the Orthodox Rabbi Bulka's association with the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) contravenes the university's policies.

"Part of Carleton's equity policy concerns sexual orientation and part of that includes not supporting institutionalized homophobia and the assumption that everybody is heterosexual," said Katy McIntyre, vice-president of student services for CUSA. "Homosexuality is not a choice and not something you need to be cured of."

The California-based National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality has taken a position that there is no scientific proof homosexuality is a biological imperative and offers up the view of it as a "psychological condition" and "developmental disorder" (http://narth.com ). As such, it offers counselling to those who wish to be heterosexual, but recognizes that not all will want to change and respects " ... others' rights to different views and choices."

Rabbi Bulka said he has been a member of the organization since about 1992, but a "very inactive" member, attending only two of its conventions and those over 10 years ago.

"If NARTH ever did anything that was disrespectful, demeaning or insulting I would be out of there in a jiffy and they would have my resignation in two seconds," he said. "There can be differing views, but it does not translate into bigotry."

He said the organization does not claim homosexuality is a deficiency, it merely provides a different way of examining it. He does support a claim on the organization's website that "... homosexuality is not a healthy, natural alternative to heterosexuality." He said this is evidenced by many homosexuals who express a desire to be heterosexual.

"But that is no more bigoted a statement than a man saying he wished he were a woman," Rabbi Bulka said.

He said that if members of the gay and lesbian community were to meet with members of the organization, they would have a different view of the organization.

"And there would not be this tension, which I think is a lot rooted in misperception of what NARTH is all about."

He said he would gladly meet and discuss the issue with any member of the community.

Rabbi Bulka is the author of the book One Man, One Woman, One Lifetime, published in the early 1990s and in which he outlined an Orthodox Jewish position that sees homosexuality as "abnormal." He said that now he would write the book a bit differently.

"If I wrote it now it would be nuanced differently because everything that is written is a reflection of the time," he said. "But my main purpose was to argue that no matter what stance you take, everyone gay or lesbian or whatever -- is accepted within the community. I urge anyone to read the whole book before they come to any conclusions."

Ms. McIntyre said CUSA's concern is not with Rabbi Bulka, but with the nomination process at Carleton University.

"(Rabbi Bulka) is a very nice man, very involved with the community and these are things which should be recognized with awards," Ms. McIntyre said, "but we have taken a decision as a university to protect against homophobia. Unfortunately, this degree should not be granted because we do not uphold the values he does. The nomination process for honorary degrees needs to be changed."

University president David Atkinson said he brought CUSA's concerns to a meeting of the university senate last week. The senate decides who receives honorary degrees.

That session was in camera so no detailed information about the debate on the topic is available. But Mr. Atkinson said the senate treated the issue with "high seriousness," but concluded granting the degree did not infringe university policy.

"I have to tell you the discussion that took place at the Senate around this was one of most impressive I have heard in my 30 years of university life," said Mr. Atkinson. "Just because of the profoundness of the thinking. People were really wrestling with fundamental issues of what universities are about: issues about freedom of expression, legitimacy of positions, human rights and that we are a welcoming university to all people. This one issue is a conflation of so many issues.

"I came away from it feeling very good about the university and what we stood for."