Without clause, gay employees can be fired

House Editorial

Susan Rankin, an expert on equity policy issues in higher education and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender resource centers, addressed the topic LGBT presence on college campuses Thursday in Grafton-Stovall Theatre.

During her speech, titled, "Trends in Higher Education for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People on Campus: A National Perspective," Rankin mentioned an alarming fact about JMU — it doesn't have a nondiscrimination clause against sexual preferences.

"Hypothetically, faculty members could be fired because of their sexual orientation," she said.

For a campus that has prided itself on promoting diversity, not having such a clause is unacceptable.

Fred Hilton, director of media relations, said the policy has been under review for "quite awhile," but he does not know if or when a change in the policy is expected.

However, Hilton added that "JMU doesn't discriminate in any fashion."

Whether it has discriminated or not, JMU should not be living in the Dark Ages when it comes to issues of social change. Society is far beyond the ancient beliefs that being gay can rub off on people. That notion is as childish as girls giving boys "cooties."

Not having a nondiscrimination clause in employee contracts is just as childish and ridiculous.

A person's sexual orientation does not interfere with one's occupation. Whether a person is heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, he or she still has the skills to do his or her job. In JMU's case, a good professor is a good professor, no matter his or her sexual preference.

In recent years, the JMU community has done a good job educating students, faculty and staff about social change. Organizations such as Harmony — which supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons — as well as Safe Zone JMU, have been a huge component of that educating process.

The idea of a LGBT Resource Center was brought up in April 2003. The center would act as a center point for helping to put on programs concerning gay issues on campus, and also as a support center for LGBT students who have concerns. However, the center still is in the works.

Social acceptance is growing day by day. JMU is taking steps to become more diverse, whether its race, gender or sexual orientation — even if they are baby steps.

The JMU administration has helped with some of those steps, with President Linwood Rose announcing the creation of his diversity commission last fall. Yet, it is that same administration that should realize it is the one halting social progression with its lack of a nondiscrimination clause against sexual orientation.

The administration, too, should take a step into the 21st century and correct this problem.

By simply adding a a few words to the contract, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered employees would feel more comfortable because they wouldn't have to worry about possibly losing their jobs. In addition, JMU could attract good professors who may have been scared off by the lack of such a clause.

Adding the clause will not hurt JMU in any way — it only can help.