Belmont University Wants To Now Be Known As Christian College That Welcomes And Encourages Diversity So Long As That Continues To Exclude Gays

The Tennessean reports on Belmont University, the Christian-based college in Nashville, where, according to Marty Dickens, “We do adhere to our values as Christ-centered, and we don’t want to make apologies for that.” Those values were on display last week when the university forced Lisa Howe, the women’s soccer coach, to resign, after she outed herself telling administrators and members of the team, that she and her partner are expecting a baby this May. The school initially said Howe resigned, but Friday reversed that statement, and said the school and Howe reached a “mutual agreement” allowing her to leave. In 2007, Belmont University ended financial and other ties to the Tennessee Baptist Convention, and subsequently sought to redefine itself as a diverse Christian community. It retained, however, a written policy for students, faculty, and staff that prohibits any and all sexual relations outside of traditional marriage. Dickens said, therefore the expectations for faculty are clear, and as Howe violated the policy, the penalty was obvious, and that some people might disagree with the decision, Belmont will not be put into a position where it apologises for its Christian principles. “We expect people to commit themselves to high moral and ethical standards within a Christian context,” Dickens said. “That includes members of the board, faculty and administration.” As previously posted, Tennessee remains one of several states in America that does not included sexual orientation as a protected category from discrimination in areas of employment and housing, although Nashville council last year passed a non-discrimination bill for Metro employees, and Councilwoman Megan Barry, who sponsored the measure said “I believe that any discrimination in the workplace, including discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation, is wrong, regardless of whether it occurs in the public or private sector.” What does the handling of Lisa Howe communicate to gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender students at Belmont University? Dorian McQuaid, a Belmont sophomore, said that the school has insisted since 2007 that gay students are welcome, but that “As a queer student I am afraid to be at Belmont right now.” McQuaid is one of twenty students at Belmont who have formed Bridge Builders, a kind of gay-straight student alliance. They have been attempting to become an official student organisation, having collected over 1,000 signatures in support of the group, but the school has repeatedly refused their application, saying the issue is “divisive” and “problematic.” She said “We are not asking Belmont to hang up a sign saying gay sex and gay people are awesome. We are asking to form a student group where we can gather on campus. I don’t understand why that is so difficult.”