The blogs are calling Belmont University "the place where tolerance goes to die." And while this might seem like hyperbole, the last month and a half has proven the statement to be shockingly accurate.
Belmont University began attracting attention in mid-November, when it received criticism for refusing to allow several gay students on campus to begin a club. Student Affairs Dean, Dr. Andrew Johnson stated on record that "given the history of the type of campus that we are, we didn’t want to create a group to start a campus-wide organization around things that could be potentially divisive or difficult for the institution at this point."
Divisive and difficult?
And this month, Belmont is under fire for firing their head soccer coach, Lisa Howe, after she disclosed that she and her same-sex partner were having a child. While the athletics department at the school states that Howe resigned with no explanation, Howe reportedly informed her soccer team that she had been pressured to resign after it was revealed that she and her same-sex partner's baby was due in May. Soccer team members revealed that Howe was given the choice to resign or be terminated.
From Coach Lisa Howe:
"I am proud of who I am and my family and our future, and I want every person—no matter what race, religion, nationality, or sexuality they represent—to feel the same way. Yes, I would have preferred to not be in the headlines, but if my situation leads to one person beginning to feel acceptance now, or one person becoming more understanding of diversity, and if people can talk openly and honestly about topics they never broached before, then this unfortunate situation will have served a positive purpose.”
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