SIUC Research Professor Targeted for Distraction

In Carbondale, we are experiencing a bit of a storm, and not just the typical tornado kind that blew through in the wee hours of yesterday morning. On Wednesday, March 12, Libs of Tik Tok posted screen shots from social media platforms of what it claimed were SIUC School of Medicine research professor, Dr. Kyle Miller, masturbating alone in public sites around the SIU Carbondale Campus. The Daily Egyptian reported the story on Thursday, March 13 here. 

In our upcoming episode of Isn’t It Queer on Wednesday, March 19, we will not be discussing or going into details on this breaking story. Instead, we will continue with our planned interviews with members of two LGBTQ advocating organizations in Southern Illinois. We consider the Miller story on-going and more of a disturbing and deliberate distraction than something worthy, at this point, of on-air commentary.

What is emerging appears to be a concerted effort by right-wing operatives to use this story to focus criticism on SIUC’s sustained commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. There is already much moralizing online over an “LGBTQ Professor” abusing students. First, Miller is a research professor in the School of Medicine, not someone teaching a regular course-load to undergraduates. Second, SIU students are legal adults, some of whom engage in practices far more exposing online and sometimes in public. Third, while illegal and professionally inappropriate, Miller’s alleged acts do not violate consent or directly abuse others. 

Right-wing operatives may obsess over embarrassing cases like Miller’s, but tend to dismiss and downplay consent-violating and illegal behaviors of those aligned with their political values. For example, consider these recent cases:

• Robert Morris is accused of four years of sexual misconduct
• Andrew Taake arrested on outstanding charges of soliciting a minor
• Pastor Christopher Willett arrested for multiple sex-related crimes
• Oh, and our sitting President is a convicted felon and guilty of sexual harassment

We do not condone Miller’s apparent behavior, and we are deeply frustrated by the opportunities it allows for assaults on SIUC administrative policies that have nothing to do with lurid posts. However, we also will not be shamed by hypocritical pearl clutching. SIUC’s commitment to its students, especially those in protected class minorities, should weather this storm and remain strong in its supportive stances on diversity, equity, and inclusion.