Christian university students propose LGBT protections
Student government at Whitworth University, Washington, US has passed a motion to protect gay and lesbian staff members.
The Christian arts university is being asked to recognise gay, lesbian and bisexual people as a “protected class” meaning they cannot be discriminated against, bullied or harassed. The students passed the resolution after meeting with such staff members and discussing the issues they faced.
However, the university officials say they have no plans to change policy based on the student’s resolution.
Spokesman Lucas Beechinor told The College Fix “No policy changes relevant to the resolution are pending.”
The proposal states: “The population of lesbian, gay, and bisexual faculty and staff on campus are unable to safely identify themselves as such for fear of discrimination, harassment, and employment termination.
“Be it resolved that the administration add ‘sexual orientation’ to the list of protected classed in the Employee Handbook for Faculty & Staff under the section entitled Policy Prohibiting Discrimination Harassment and Retaliation.”
The measure was passed overwhelmingly by a student government vote.
Last month a Christian university in the United States banned its athletes from having same-sex relationships.
Smith College, a prestigious women’s college in Massachusetts has announced it will start admitting trans women for the first time this year.
