Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Professor Humiliates Lesbian Grad Student Calling Her “Disgusting And Abnormal,” Pastor Defends Religious Freedoms Of Anti-Gay New Jersey High School Teacher Saying Bible Does Indeed Classify Homosexuality As “Sin,” If Educators Must Remain Closeted Can They Be Expected To Assist Gay Students, David Pocock And Australian Wallabies Speedo Walk

KDKA-TV is reporting that an IUP student claims she was bullied by her professor because she’s a lesbian, and that Indiana University of Pennsylvania is conducting an investigation and the claim prompted a tolerance rally on campus. Christina Santiago, a graduate student, says the comments were made by a professor teaching a business class. Santiago says another student brought up the topic of sex changes and says the professor then brought up homosexuality. “The professor then said to the class that homosexuals are disgusting, unnatural and abnormal,” said Santiago. Santiago says her heart began racing, but she raised her hand and asked the professor: “So are you saying students like myself who identify as homosexual are disgusting, unnatural and abnormal?” Santiago says, “The professor replied, ‘Yes.’” She says the instructor went on to call homosexuality a sin, complain about diversity training and accuse her of “forcing her homosexuality on her.” She says she realized other students, as well as the professor, were laughing at her as the discussion continued, and she says she was holding back tears. “I felt attacked, bullied, singled out,” said Santiago. KDKA-TV called the professor’s office number and e-mailed the instructor, but there has been no response. But the union that represents faculty members released a statement. “We understand that [these] accusations are serious and need to be investigated by the university,” said Francisco Alarcón, Ph.D., Vice-President IUP-APSCUF. “At the same time we advocate for the rights of the faculty and the processes for investigating complaints against faculty must be followed.” A spokesperson for IUP says she cannot discuss personnel matters but confirms there is an ongoing investigation. Santiago has also contacted the American Civil Liberties Union. “We’re not paying thousands of dollars in tuition to be taught to hate others.” said Santiago.

The pastor of a high school teacher who has been vilified for an anti-gay tirade on Facebook came to the woman’s defense, calling her a “very loving person” who should not be fired for expressing her religious beliefs. The Washington Post reports that the Reverend Milton B. Hobbs, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship in Clark, N.J., said special education teacher Viki Knox is not homophobic and that her comments, when taken in the context of the Bible, were not false. The 49 year-old Knox, an ordained minister at the church and a faculty adviser for a student Bible study group, wrote on her Facebook page that homosexuality was a “perverted spirit” and a “sin” that “breeds like cancer.” Hobbs said that “No one is pointing to homosexuality as the ultimate sin. We all have sinned. It’s not saying that people who are gay sin any more or less than anyone else. But to say that the Bible doesn’t say it’s a sin would be untrue. It does say that.” Hobbs said his greater concern is the possibility Knox will be disciplined for expressing an opinion on a personal Web page, noting she did not incite violence or advocate harm “Any Christian who makes a stand that’s unpopular can expect to be persecuted. That’s in the Bible, too,” Hobbs said. “But no American should expect to be prosecuted for exercising free speech. At what point does that stop?” Union schools Superintendent Patrick Martin said the district is investigating and would take “all appropriate action” after an investigation. “Nothing has been determined to be right or wrong yet,” Martin said.

The Buffalo News reports that many gay and lesbian teachers say that too often, schools are unwelcoming, unsafe -- sometimes hostile -- places even for adults who are not heterosexual. Some teachers say they are stunned by the insensitive or even discriminatory comments they hear from co-workers. Others note their district's reluctance to offer domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples and say that sends an implicit message. Some say they live in constant fear of backlash from students or parents learning their sexual orientation. "I can't think of another job where being gay would be so taboo -- just because you're around children, and people think the worst," said one gay Niagara Falls, New York teacher. Other gay and lesbian teachers say it is important for them to be out at school, so they can provide students positive role models. "If we do not have the confidence and the strength to come out to a bunch of kids, how in the world are they going to look at each other with dogged fearlessness and say, 'Yeah, I'm gay -- what of it?'" said Amber Buday, who teaches in the youth division of the Buffalo Public Schools' GED program. "It's important. I don't care if you're scared of losing your job. It's much bigger than that."

Following a day full of sad news, a respite, sort of, courtesy the Australian Wallabies rugby squad, spotted in New Zealand during a recovery session, including the smoking sexy David “Bam Bam” Pocock in a teeny, tiny, tight green Speedo.