Catholic University has postponed an event that will feature a screening of Milk, a biopic about the openly gay California politician who was assassinated in 1978. The students who organized the event say school officials “canceled” it after they posted flyers that read “Kick Off LGBT Awareness Month!” The university says the screening was “postponed” after it was “called into question whether the event had changed in nature from one of education to one of advocacy.”

Here’s what the CUA College Democrats told Crux:

According to event organizers, administrators at the university approved the event, and its flyers and posters, last month. Students were invited to hear talks from John White, a politics professor at the university, and Kevin Walling, an alumnus and chair of the Montgomery Country Democrats, about the effect of the gay rights movement on the Democratic Party. After the talks, there was to be a showing of “Milk,” along with free milk and cookies. The evening was based on a 2011 event held at the university.

But yesterday morning, students say, school officials told them to postpone the event, citing concern over the size of a rainbow flag on the flyer, as well as the event’s description: “Kick Off LGBT Awareness Month!” Some LGBT activists designate October “LGBT History Month,” which the university does not recognize.

“We are very disappointed that our event had to be canceled due to what is perceived to be a miscommunication within OCA,” the College Democrats said in a statement. “The CUA College democrats had no intention of undermining the administration or holding an event that went against school policies. We were under the impression that we had followed the guidelines necessary for hosting an event on campus. We are currently working to clear up the miscommunication and we look forward to showcasing the story of a politician who broke down barriers at a future date.”

Victor Nakas, a spokesperson for Catholic, said in a statement that the request for approval submitted to the Office of Campus Activities in September did not indicate “the program would be a kickoff to LGBT Awareness Month.” The event, according to Nakas, was originally presented as an “an educational discussion followed by a movie screening.”

The Office of the Dean of Students “was made aware of the advertising” on September 30, according to Nakas. “For University administrators it called into question whether the event had changed in nature from one of education to one of advocacy.”

“Given the confusion caused by the advertising, the Office of the Dean of Students contacted the College Democrats to postpone the event,” Nakas said. “The Director of Campus Activities is working with the College Democrats to review the program request to ensure that the program is presented as an educational event, as originally planned. It is our expectation that it will be rescheduled for later in October.”

Dustin Lance Black, who won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Milk, voiced is support for the students on Twitter.

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