For the first time since the exit of Lisa Howe, former women’s soccer coach, President Bob Fisher spoke publicly to the media.
Fisher acknowledged and apologized for the “poor job in communicating” and the “pain, hurt and fear created among our students and community.” In the press conference in the Beaman Student Life Center Wednesday, he also denied sexual orientation had a role in any personnel matter.
“Sexual orientation has not been considered when making hiring, promotion, or dismissal decisions at Belmont,” he said.
The president also acknowledged the variety of students, faculty and staff that comprise the “Belmont family.”
“Belmont is a safe and welcoming place for all. Within our community, there are many gay and lesbian students and gay and lesbian faculty and staff. Every student here is respected and loved,” he said.
Fisher did not specifically mention Howe, who told her players just before Thanksgiving break that she and her same-sex partner were having a child together. A day after classes resumed Nov. 29, Howe was gone.
Players said she was fired and athletics director Mike Strickland said she had “informed the university of her intent to conclude her employment with Belmont.” The next day, the university released another statement, saying that she did not “resign” and she was not “dismissed.” Instead, the action came as a result of a mutual agreement.
In the media statement at 5:30 today—almost exactly a week since Howe’s departure was reported—Fisher said he had received some 400 e-mails in response to Belmont’s actions during the past few days, and plans to respond to each one personally.
He did not take questions after his statement.
Okay, everything is getting blown out of proportion. If Lisa Howe had been straight, no one would care why she was fired. But the fact that she is homosexual makes everyone flip out and say it was discrimination. Even if it was for that, does it REALLY matter?
Oh and Bridge Builders, GET OVER IT! You whine about being “discriminated against” and “separated” but have you made a legit effort to include yourselves in other events? I mean seriously, if a group of heterosexual people wanted to have a dialogue group to talk about being heterosexual, I’m pretty sure they would be denied that opportunity as well.
“if a group of heterosexual people wanted to have a dialogue group to talk about being heterosexual, I’m pretty sure they would be denied that opportunity as well.”
They sure would. That’s why one of the most popular Belmont traditions is an event called “Everything You Wanted to Know About the Opposite Sex” and is, in fact, nothing but a dialogue about being heterosexual.
Come on now.
Anonymous: If Lisa Howe had been straight, she would not have been forced to resign for telling her teammates she was going to be a mother. And yes, Bridge Builders HAS made an effort to include themselves in events, as much as they are ALLOWED to.
Heterosexuals don’t need a group to talk about being heterosexual, because we are the majority. We can talk about it as much as we want to without fear of persecution. LGBT students do not have that privilege.
And you say it wouldn’t really matter if Coach Howe had been fired because of discrimination? How could it NOT matter?
Dear Anonymous,
You choose to make cheap and derogatory comments about the Bridge Builders, a proud group of gay and lesbian Belmont students, and yet you refuse to stand up and be accountable for your remarks. Instead, you hide behind craven anonymity and throw insults like spitballs.
So despite, your crude and intolerant outlook, I’ll answer your initial question: Yes, it really does matter. If the situation was reversed, and you were fired for being heterosexual and only wanting a family of your own, it would certainly matter to you. Just because you haven’t faced discrimination–and maybe I’m reaching here, but I imagine from your comments that you are a straight white male and not a very secure one either–you would probably understand.
I suggest you reread the Code of Conduct that you signed when you came to Belmont, and then search your heart and mind for the power to empathize with those who are not as fortunate to have the civil rights that you obviously take for granted.
Out and proud,
Mark Cabus
Class of ’09
@Anonymous
Are you serious? This is a matter of years and years of institutionalized discrimination. As Dan said, Belmont is exemplary of our heteronormative culture. In the US History Reconstruction to Cold War class I took at Belmont, the gay rights aspect of the civil rights movement was limited to a single blink-and-you’ll-miss-it PowerPoint slide, and the instructor also made unnecessary comments reinforcing the stereotype that gay men are always effeminate transvestites. LGBTQ people have systematically been marginalized throughout history, and it is necessary that these issues be discussed in order to promote a healthier environment. Heterosexuals are automatically granted huge amounts of privilege by society, thus there is no need to create a dialogue group..
Tolerance goes both ways. Belmont is what it is. “Mutual Agreement” was the employment termination. Unless Coach Howe would like to speak otherwise, case is closed. Everyone tolerates the other, but Belmont should not be forced to a middle ground because those aren’t its principles.
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