Besieged Belmont University President Fischer Says Christian School Supportive Of Gays And Lesbians; Students And Community Stage Protest; Calls To Rehire Soccer Coach Lisa Howe Grow Louder

The Tennessean reports that Belmont University President Bob Fischer late Wednesday held a news conference where he made a brief statement that did not directly address the allegedly dismissal of the women’s soccer coach who outed herself when she told administration and players that she and her same sex partner are expecting a child next May. Fischer instead assured students that the Nashville, Tennessee-based Christian school is indeed supportive of gays and lesbians, and he apologised for the “pain, hurt and fear created among some students and the community.” He added that sexual orientation has not been a consideration in making personnel decisions at the university including hiring, firing, and promotions, saying “There are many gay and lesbian students as well as many gay and lesbian faculty and staff ... every student here is respected and loved.” Fischer refused to comment further or take questions from the assembled media. Fischer’s appearance and statements arrive after at least 100 students and community supporters assembled for a cross-campus march in support of Lisa Howe, the aforementioned former women’s coach. Daniel Ritter, a student, began the protest with a prayer, saying “God of justice, you surround us now. We believe you liberate the oppressed God ... Open (the university administration’s) hearts, open their minds, so we may see change on campus.” Bridge Builders, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender support group that has repeated attempted to attain official student organisation from the school, is authoring a letter writing campaign to Congress, urging lawmakers to pass legislation that prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, a measure that Tennessee currently does not have maintain. Bridge Builders president Robbie Maris, a Belmont senior, said that despite President Fischer’s assurance, the university’s campus is less than welcoming to the members of the GLBT community, Maris saying “I’m a gay Christian ... I’ve definitely felt marginalised here.”