Lesbian Coach Controversy Rages On
Controversy in the departure of a lesbian coach from a Christian university in Nashville, Tenn., continues to rage, with the school's president now saying that the university does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, and the leader of the Tennessee Baptist Convention speaking up to declare support for the school's "very strong biblical stance," Nashville news channel WMSV reported on Dec. 9.
The student newspaper for Belmont University, Belmont Vision, reported on Dec. 2 that the women's soccer coach, Lisa Howe, would be leaving her post. Only a few days before, Howe had disclosed that she and her female partner had decided to become parents. Howe had been with the university since 2005. She led the Belmont women's soccer team to the Atlantic Sun Conference championship last year.
The student paper initially referred to Howe's departure as a "firing," but an update reported that, according to a statement from the school's athletic director, Mike Strickland, Howe had made her own decision to leave. "Women's soccer coach Lisa Howe has informed the university of her intent to conclude her employment with Belmont," the statement read. "This was a decision Coach Howe made."
The statement also included a message from Howe. "I appreciate Belmont University giving me the opportunity to lead the women's soccer program for the last six season," Howe said. "I want to thank all the student-athletes who worked so hard for and dedicated themselves to me and the program. I am at a point in my life where I am satisfied to move on, and I wish the Belmont women's soccer team continued success."
But a Dec. 3 article in local newspaper the Tennessean reported that, according to members of the women's soccer team, Howe said her resignation was the result of having been "pressured" by the administration.
According to team member Erica Carter, Howe "said she went to the administration to get permission to talk to us" regarding the plan Howe and her partner had to become parents. Howe wished to obtain permission to speak about that aspect of her private like in order to "bring us to light on her becoming a mother," the student added. "She didn't want us to hear it from other sources. She has never talked about her personal life before. We always hear rumors, speculation and things. She wanted this to come directly from her."
Carter said that Howe disclosed that she had been offered a choice: resign or be fired. Carter's roommate and fellow teammate Ashley Hudak said that the reason for the administration's response was that Howe had outed herself as a lesbian by making the announcement, which itself was not made with the official permission of the administration.
"She said she had tried to clear telling us she was having a baby through the athletic department and they weren't allowing her to," said Hudak.
"[Strickland] basically said we have the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy and when she told us about the pregnancy, it violated that," the team's captain, Sari Lin, told the newspaper. "She was telling us what her sexual preference is. He said you can hide your sexuality, but you can't hide a baby. He pretty much told me that once the baby was born she was going to get fired anyway, so it's better to do it sooner than later."
News station WSMV reported that Howe's departure had made ripples in the university community. Said one freshman, Hillary Fischer, "I feel like if Belmont came out and said, 'We chose to dismiss her because of this reason, this reason and this reason, and this is where we will forever stand on it,' then that would be a different issue, and students could decide if they wanted to be a part of that."
"In retrospect, I realize we've done a poor job of communicating," the university president told the media. "In the 10 years that I have served as Belmont's president, sexual orientation has not been considered in making hiring, promotion, salary or dismissal decisions."
But at least one anti-gay religious leader also spoke up, offering commentary that assumed the school had a policy in place denying positions for gays and lesbians. "I think they have taken a very strong biblical stance, true to their own heritage, true to their own mission statement," said Randy Davis, who heads up the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
Under Tennessee state law, GLBTs are not protected from employment discrimination, and there are no federal protections for gay workers. Davis said that was the way it should be, and suggested that protections for GLBT are not a matter of civil rights, "Sexual orientation, for many people, we believe, is a choice," the religious leader asserted. By contrast, Davis said, "The color of your skin is not a choice. So I think that [instituting anti-discrimination protections for GLBT workers] would be a step in the wrong direction."
Howe also commented, saying in a statement, "I congratulate and praise Dr. Fisher for announcing this non-discrimination policy, which will set an example for Christian schools and universities across the country. I look forward to seeing this policy implemented."
Belmont 'Safe and Welcoming'
Howe had told the Associated Press earlier, "I do know that policies and attitudes would have to change for me to come back to Belmont and feel safe and welcome and for me to feel like my family would be safe and welcome."
A letter from the school's alumni relations director sought to reassure graduates of the university that their alma mater was not a discriminatory institution, WSMV-TV reported. "Because of Belmont's aspirations to demonstrate Christian character, the University is a safe and welcoming place for everyone," read the letter, which was sent via email. "Within our student community there are many gay and lesbian students as well as gay and lesbian faculty and staff. Sexual orientation is not considered in making hiring, promotion, salary, or dismissal decisions at Belmont. Sexual orientation is also not a consideration in student admissions," the letter continued.
"Belmont is committed to working with faculty, students, alumni, board members and the community-at-large to dialogue about our policies and practices to ensure that our actions are consistent with our values and to ensure that our campus remains a welcoming place for all," added the missive.
The story picked up momentum when a major donor to the school, businessman and Republican politician Mike Curb, a trustee emeritus of the university, called for the school to re-hire Howe. "It's time for Belmont to change and to recognize that we have gay students, faculty and staff," Curb stated, adding, "I want to see this board and the school leadership act like Christians." Curb also indicated he wanted recognition of the world's realities: "We are trying to pretend that something doesn't exist when it does," he stated.
Curb added that an appearance that the university has anti-gay policies would impact its stature. "Belmont has to decide whether they want to be a national recognized university--particularly with their school of music business--or they want to be a church," Curb stated.
Curb went to Fisher with his concerns, the Tennessean reported. Fisher told the newspaper that he had no comment. But the school's Faculty Senate did: the body voted unanimously to support the university's GLBT students and staff.
Curb was elected to the post of Lieutenant Governor of California, where he served form 1979-1983 under then-Gov. Jerry Brown, according to a Wikipedia article. Along with Ronald Reagan and other high-profile politicians, Curb opposed an attempt to outlaw gay and gay-supportive teachers.
Anti-gay commentators at conservative chat site FreeRepublic.com weighed in on Curb's involvement in the controversy in Dec. 9 postings. "I used to have a lot of respect for Curb," wrote one, adding, "after all he has
been generous with the school and I do love Belmont. I don't give a darn if someone is queer," added the commentator. "It's just today they have to get a megaphone and hold signs like its [sic] something to be proud of."
Wrote another, "I agree. My philosophy on it is 'Don't tell me about what goes on in your bedroom and I won't have to tell you about what's NOT going on in mine'."
A third quipped, "Just think, all this could have been avoided had Lisa Howes [sic] simply worn a condom..."
Another lesbian coach at a university also allegedly faced employment discrimination. Katie Brenny, a women's gold champion, took a job with the University of Minnesota last August, but was demoted almost immediately because of her sexual orientation, according to her legal representation. The story was carried in Minneapolis newspaper the Star Tribune on Dec. 10.
"It is not true the university discriminated against her on the basis of sexual orientation," stated the school's general counsel, Mark Rotenberg, who added, "Her particular job responsibilities were discussed with her before she took the job."
Brenny's lawyer, Donald Chance Mark, Jr., disagreed: "I am prepared to support the allegations with fact," he told the media. "We've got enough evidence."