Catholic School Continues With Macklemore Ticket Giveaway Despite Protest from Student Group
ByMacklemore and Ryan Lewis made a stop in Nebraska for their fall tour and some Creighton University students were in attendance thanks to the Catholic school's ticket giveaway.
The Creighton Students Union Program Board was going to give away tickets to the concert at CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb., the Omaha World-Herald reported. The promotion was held up because of a student protest.
Creighton's Catholic Student Union did not agree with the promotion because the lyrics to Macklemore's hit single "Same Love" advocate marriage equality for homosexual couples. The student group argued that promoting the concert goes against the school's Catholic beliefs.
The group sent letters to the student union and to the school's president Rev. Timothy Lannon.
"We understand not every act or performer that Creighton hires will be in absolute accordance with Catholic values, but when artists so deliberately and proactively advocate for a contrary position, they should not be publically supported. CSU's actions indicate that Creighton endorses Haggerty and Lewis as well as their position on same-sex marriage," Catholic Student Union members wrote in a letter to the campus newspaper the Creightonian.
Officials at Creighton delayed the ticket giveaway in order to address the situation, but lifted the ban, allowing the promotion to go on. Despite allowing the giveaway to continue, the school said in a statement it continues dedicated to not "endorse issues that are contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church."
The issue the Catholic Student Union has with the school promoting the concert is Macklemore (whose real name is Ben Haggerty) and Ryan Lewis' outward support of the legalization of same-sex marriage. Both musicians have told numerous sources that they were not only pleased with the passing of Referendum 74, but recognized their influence over people who voted for it.
"Same Love" was another hit off the surprise smash album "the Heist" for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It has achieved critical and commercial success, while reaching the top ten on album charts all over the world.
The album peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard album chart and at number one on the rap chart. "Same Love" is one of six singles on the album and peaked at 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the rap chart.