To be honest, when I first heard it I thought it must be some nutter who got tossed from Eastern Michigan University for some legit reason who is now claiming discrimination. It seemed even crazier for the type of discrimination claimed. A grad student is claiming she was dismissed from the University because she would not recant her position that homosexuality is wrong. From the Ann Arbor News.
The Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom says student Julea Ward was dismissed from her graduate program in March after refusing to affirm a client’s homosexual behavior prior to a counseling session, according to a press release from the group.
To be fair, anyone can claim anything and sue for anything these days, so I must admit my skepticism. However, my incredulity has lessened after reading the “response” of the University.
EMU spokeswoman Pam Young released the following statement this morning: “Although Eastern Michigan University does not comment on pending litigation, we are a diverse campus with a strong commitment not to discriminate on the basis of gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.”
Uh oh. When someone files a false and absurd claim one would typically issue a response with words similar to false and absurd. Actually this “denial” seems to confirm that lunacy that has indeed taken over at EMU.
The lawsuit alleges that Ward, who is in the school’s counseling program, was disciplined by the University because she refused to acknowledge that homosexuality was hunky dory. She was thus ordered to attend mandatory re-education class (my phraseology). When she refused to be re-educated they gave her the boot.
I am sure they teach many things at EMU. If they have actually given the boot to a student who refuses to commit to boilerplate diversity, there is surely one thing they don’t teach at EMU.
Irony.
April 7, 2009 at 8:10 am
Just goes to show you that the ‘tolerant’ only tolerate certain kinds of diversity. If they were truly tolerant, this is where the rubber hits the road.
April 7, 2009 at 1:08 pm
The ADF wouldn’t take this on if it weren’t legit. God bless the ADF.
April 7, 2009 at 2:04 pm
“Although Eastern Michigan University does not comment on pending litigation, we are a diverse campus with a strong commitment not to discriminate on the basis of gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.”
Unless, of course, we don’t like your beliefs (especially religious beliefs). Then we can do whatever we want. Diversity doesn’t include YOU!
April 7, 2009 at 3:32 pm
This is unfortunate, but is it really surprising at a state school? What would we expect?
April 7, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Brian, don’t limit yourself to “state school”. Do you think Ms. Ward would receive any more support from Notre Shame or Georgetown?
April 7, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Homosexual inclinations or behavior are no longer considered a disorder by the folks who make the DSM (diagnostic standards manual), which is the “bible” used to identify psychological disorders. So I am not surprised that a university offering any related degree would do this. I am surprised that we don’t hear of it more.
April 8, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I disagree with a student being kicked out because of their beliefs.
That said – I know people who are very depressed and anxious because of having to hear negative attitudes about homosexuality all of their lives when they are gay. I know people very close to me who are gay who have a very tough time for this. I think now that things like this are occuring – where people are being intolerant of people against homosexuality instead of people who are gay, that it’s a sign of the changing times. I for one am glad for the change because I don’t want individuals to feel depressed because they don’t feel they will ever be accepted for who they naturally are.
ps- I’ve seen many very conservative people change their views on homosexuality upon realizing someone very close to them was gay. I think some of you here might have a similar reaction if your son or daughter came out to you. And if you heard them shakingly tell you that it was not a choice, it is just who they are.
April 8, 2009 at 8:54 pm
My nephew was caught in homosexual activity, and my cousin is widely suspected of being gay. Still love ’em both. There’s quite a difference between judging someone and condoning what one believes to be disordered. Those in the homosexual community hurt their own cause by labeling anyone who doesn’t agree with them bigoted.
April 9, 2009 at 7:19 am
There be emu: watch out for big bird:)!
April 9, 2009 at 9:11 am
I have to take exception with ye olde meme that, “hey, if someone close to you is gay, boom, you’re principles change!”
Simply Not True. Certainly not for me. But I think such people who make the claim do not understand the idea of hate the sin, love the sinner. Almost all of my straight friends are engaging in pre-marital sex, which is just as forbidden, and I’m friends with them. Same thing with any friends of family that might be gay.
April 9, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I agree with Rob. I also take exception to the other two memes surrounding this issue:
1) If you oppose homosexual sex, you’re bigoted.
b] If you oppose homosexual sex, it’s because you have latent homosexual yearnings and are lashing out.
I know people with same-sex attraction. I know people who are actively homosexual. They’re people, just like us, who sin. It would be wrong to justify their sins, just as it would be wrong for them to justify my sins.
Oh, and from what I recall, homosexuality was removed from the list of sexual deviancy in the DSM due to politics (not governmental, just regular run-of-the-mill interpersonal politics within the psychiatric community), not science.
June 23, 2009 at 12:05 am
It is proper that they kicked this student out of their college. To Matt Siekierski:
1) If you oppose homosexuality, including or excluding sex, then you ARE bigoted and narrow minded, and probably haven't given 5 minutes of rational thought about the issue.
2) The most homophobic people I have met in my life are bi-sexuals who are suppressing their same-sex attraction trying to pretend it doesn't exist.
3) Yes, homosexuality is not considered a disorder by the APA anymore because there was no evidence that it actually is a mental disorder. It was considered a disorder for political reasons. In recent years, SCIENCE HAS PROVEN THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS LINKED TO GENETICS & THE BIOLOGY OF THE FETUS. That is why gay men are more likely to be left-handed and have hair that swirls counterclockwise. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/01/homosexuality-genetics-usa
MATT SIEKIERSKI: YOU ARE AN ANTI-SCIENCE BIGOT.