Recording artist and former “American Idol” contestant Kimberley Locke isn’t the first alum to speak out in the midst of the firestorm surrounding the recent exit of Belmont women’s soccer coach Lisa Howe. Locke, like many alums, expressed disappointment over what she called a matter of “human rights.”
Formerly signed to Curb Records, Locke has worked with several organizations such as Youth Aids and One Heartland, a camp for kids dealing with stigmas attached to AIDS or HIV. She sat down with the Vision Thursday [Dec. 9] to talk about her alma mater.
What was your reaction to the controversy?
Being an alumna of Belmont University and knowing what Belmont wants to represent, it’s disappointing. I am a huge supporter of gay rights—I say gay rights [but] it’s human rights. It’s a human being issue. Discrimination affects everybody. I felt like I needed to say something. I think that everybody who has ever been discriminated against should say something.
You mentioned you’ve been involved with organizations relating to gay rights, etc.
I just came from Vegas for World Aids Day [Dec. 1.] I work with an organization called One Heartland. We have just expanded our mission statement to include the LGBT allies and community. We work with children who suffer from social stigma due to or caused by, but not limited to, AIDS and HIV—that disease, life-threatening illnesses.
Just working with teenagers every year, it’s eye-opening to me, and I think that’s why this issue is so important. Lately we’ve been dealing with the bullying situation in schools, and we’ve been dealing with the bullying of the gay community. Some kids are committing suicide. I think that Belmont, by their actions, are perpetuating that. Whether intentional or unintentional, they’re sending the wrong message. I think it’s hard enough for kids who are teenagers, let alone those who are in college, who are trying to figure it out.
It was eye-opening when I left Nashville to move out and pursue my career, that there’s a lot of kinds of people in the world. We’re all different, if you go out into the world with a closed mind and discriminating against people, I think that you miss out on a lot of blessings. Everyone has something different to bring to the table whether they’re like you or they’re different then you. Most of the time we learn the most by being surrounded by people who are different from us, and that’s what the college experience is about—coming to college, meeting new people, exploring different things, finding out who you are, and how you are going to contribute to this world. I don’t think that should matter based on your race, your religious background, your sexual orientation, your sexual preference, whatever. I don’t think that matters.
I feel like, as a person who believes in God, or believes in a higher power, it’s not my responsibility to judge those people. It’s my responsibility to love people the way I want to be loved and to learn from them whatever I can, and maybe help them in some way. I think that’s the unfortunate thing about this situation. I loved going to school here, I loved my professors, but I know that what’s happening right now here doesn’t represent me, and I think that’s the unfortunate thing with a lot of students. Things like this happen, and the students who are here, they don’t feel represented very well by the school of their choice, and that’s the unfortunate thing.
How do you think this affects Belmont’s reputation or perception of it?
One of the reasons I wanted to come to this school is because people knew this school as one of the top schools in our area, it’s academically challenging, a lot of kids come here for the musical aspect of it all, and they know they’re going to get a great education here. I felt like, if I want to go somewhere that people are going to know when I say the name, “Belmont University,” this is where I want to go. I think that now that we’re going to have to defend our choice of the school because of this, I don’t think it’s a bad thing, I think it can be rectified.
I think there comes a point in all of our lives where we’re at a critical moment, at a crossroad where we can go left or right and make a clear change, and I think that Belmont’s had a couple of issues over the past few years, from the professors to the students. If these things continue to repeatedly occur, then yes, I think that people are going to look at this school as a place where they will be discriminated against, and I don’t think that’s a good thing.
What do you think Belmont can or should do at this point to improve the situation?
The first thing that comes to me is an apology. I don’t know if anyone’s apologized. I know that when I feel wronged, if somebody apologizes, apologies go a long way. It’s a small gesture, but it goes a long way. I’m sure Lisa would appreciate that as well.
I think there should be an apology to the student body. I think they have ostracized some of their own student body and the students keep the doors open here. I think they have to go about it a different way. You can’t say “we accept everyone” and then turn around and shut people out. They have to pick a position. It’s tough to say exactly what they should do, but I think they need to do something and it needs to be in a clear direction.
Belmont is a Christian school and one of the things I know about Christianity, is it is not our place to judge anyone. We’re all born into the same sin and God didn’t make us perfect. Instead of embracing the student body, they’re rejecting parts of it, and I don’t think that’s very Christian-like.
Kimberley Lock,
you might know the arts but you might want to study theology….you got it all wrong girl.
check out this theologian on judgement……http://tinyurl.com/2clhhuo
Its a BAD thing to encourage homosexuals to continue on in that sin.
I HATE sin!
God
Wow. Please do not use God’s name when making a comment on something that you do not agree with. Own your own judgment. God does hate sin, but the number one thing we’re called to do as believers is to love Him and one another, despite our sins / lifestyles / behaviors. For all people have sinned… but God saves.
I commend those that are sticking up for Miss Howe. Yet it says in the Bible that one should not kill, steal, commit adultery, have sex with children or animals, have idol Gods (witchcraft)etc. All these sins are looked down upon in todays society and are many times criminal and should be. Yet the bible also says that man should not lay down with mankind and woman should not lay down with womankind. Which is also consider a sin according to those that really know the bible and God word. Yes we are not supposed to judge others, because no one is perfect but God. But we should not support immoral ungodly activity either. Either one is which God or with the world and the world is not match for God. God bless Miss Howe I wish her the best, I have never attended Belmont University, but I support Belmont University views in support of this issue of Miss Howe.
Carrie,
I also send people to Hell! The Word used in the Bible is woe which means may your soul be Damned to Hell.
also what I care about the most is MY Glory!
God
Oh ho hooo!!!!! Hey J,C, I see that you like to debate. WELL I,ve found the DEBATE. Let,s go there…. On the first of all’ youre link doesn,t go to the site. all i see is that there is text and it,s not going to google. please email the real link to me. THEN WE,LL SEE IF YOU ARE REALLY THe best DEBATER IN THE COMMENTS!!! Also’ har har har it,s kind of funny that I saw all the signs from you on the interstate an then i didn,t no you had the skills on truck stop the computer too.
Anyway…… ANSWER ME THIS TIME FOR ANSWERS!!! ha ha ha ha.
That,s why when rocking chair one finger points at you the other five point back at youre face!!!! CHECK MATE!!!
Email me more theology this time and we,ll see.
Hey Mr Troll,
I guess they do not teach you how to copy and paste a link at Belmont!
If it does not have the shiny blue letters you cant figure it out?
http://reformedandreforming.org/2010/01/16/twisting-truth-matthew-7-1-and-the-question-of-not-judging-others/
there you go …type it in if you care too!!!!!
Oh IF I WENT TO BELMONT they teach me about YOU! har har har haha …. and then you could see I fit acorns in my cheeks. BUT I KNOW YOUr a FAKE PERSON. I can tell by youre mail box smell on the computer.
I double clicked the link but nothing happens. Also’ it,s not BLUE IT,S PURPLE so please FIX IT RIGHT AWAY. I WANT TO DEBATE ABOUT it!!!!
just email it … GEEZ LA WEEZY … they not teach sniff puppy you how to add links to wallpaper screens in you,re HIGH SCHOOL!? ewwwwwwwww SNAPPY FINGER… jkjkjkjkjk ur probably cool jc.
but to be on the honest i do want toknow yonr viewpoint on all your thoughts about thikning. plz just email or mail to my friend. he has my mail and prints it for me to read.
No offense to Kimberly Locke, but who cares what she has to say? Just because she has a bit of notoriety, people are supposed to be persuaded to her side of an issue, whether right or wrong?
The fact is, the Bible is quite clear on this issue. And I assume Belmont was rather clear about it’s standards and “beliefs,” before Miss Howe took the position. It is she who should be apologetic for defying the criteria for her own selfish pursuits and causing this disharmony.
This should not even be an issue. It should not be up for debate, any more than having a debate about the appropriateness of having an adulterer on staff. If Belmont caves to political correctness on this they will lose a lot of support and likely have far fewer applicants. Parents can send their kids to any number of colleges with gay faculty members. They look to schools like Belmont for an alternative to that.
I totally agree this is not to affend anyone. Kimberley Locke is a very nice and professional person when you met her in real life. Everyone has a right to their own views, because this is the United States fo America. Yet Izzy I am in totally in agreement with you the word of God is the most important in regards to this issue. God hates sin but love sinners and we are all sinners. But those that truly know Gods word know that homomsexual is against the word of God. I respect those that are on the side of God law. Their are so many more positive and important issue that celebrities can use their fame for. Such as war on drugs, violence against women and children, gang violence, gun control, lowering teenage prenancy I hope I spelled that right. Protecting our boarders from illegal immigrants/aliens, that are taking so many jobs and resources from American citizens,etc. God will deal with all of these issue in do time. Alone with those that are involve in acts against Gods word, homosexuality is one and we are all guilty of it. Homosexuality is not the only sin and let’s remember that no one is perfect but God. Take care
izzy and Darrel,
In case you didn’t see the press briefing, Belmont is in fact clear on their beliefs. Dr. Fisher said, “sexual orientation is not considered in making hiring, promotion, salary, or dismissal decisions at Belmont.
Neither is it considered in student admissions.”
I hope that helps answer any questions you might have had.
-Taylor
P.S. It’s ‘pregnancy’
No Taylor I didn’t get an opportunity to see the press briefing. Must business, schools, university, etc. Do state that because they don’t want to be hit with any type of discrimation lawsuit and if that is Belmont University rules and regulations. Then that staff member that was dismissed should be allowed to sue and get their job back. Am still a big supporter of heterosexual relationships, but if what your saying is the truth Belmont University own policy will come back to haunt them. I still support Belmont University decision in dismissing that employee. Yet if that is Belmont University policy in terms of discrimination. They should must difinitely rehire the employee that was terminated. Unless it is more to the story of their getting terminated. One will never know I just wish them will and they need to know that life does go on and things will get beter. God Bless
Darrell,
Here is the link to the briefing in it’s entirety: http://forum.belmont.edu/umac/archives/014377.html
Out of curiosity, what is your affiliation with Belmont?
-Taylor
I found the president of Belmont to be a very sincere individual. One that is very concerned about the well being of all humanity. If Belmont stance is one of political correctness. Than the staff member at Belmont should be rehired immediately. But if he would stick with biblical principles and traditional morals on romantic realations. Being between a man and a woman I believe God would be more pleased and many people would respect just as well. Is it more important to politicaly and socialy correct or is it more important to please and obey Gods word. To answer your other question in regards to my affiliation to Belmont University. I heard of this issue through Kimberley Locke fan site. I am one of her biggiest fans, Kimberley is a graduate of Belmont, a big supporter of gay rights and a very nice person. Yet we can agree to disagree on this issue as many others that are effecting the world globaly. I hope you don’t mind me giving my opinion on this very important issue , because it is much bigger than just Belmont University. I do wish Belmont University the best and hope they are able to come to a resolution soon. Take care