In light of Belmont President Bob Fisher’s statement to the media Wednesday night, former soccer coach Lisa Howe has released a statement of her own.
In particular she addressed Fisher’s comments regarding nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation.
“I congratulate and praise Dr. Fisher for announcing this nondiscrimination policy, which will set an example for Christian schools and universities across the country,” Howe said. “I look forward to seeing this policy implemented. I intend for my next job to be in a place where I feel safe and welcome. If Belmont is that place, then I will certainly consider reapplying.”
Howe also expressed her gratitude to Belmont students, faculty, alumni and others in the Nashville community. “Everyone took a stand and made their voices heard,” Howe said.
Also commenting in the statement is Howe’s lawyer, Abby Rubenfeld who said she looks forward to seeing nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation written into policy.
Fisher’s statement, which came after a week of media portrayal of the university in a largely unflattering light, said Belmont is “safe and welcoming” for all, no matter what their sexual orientation, race or gender. He said Belmont does not discriminate, but there seems to be uncertainty about whether that is official policy.
Prior to his statement, Belmont’s Faculty Senate and others have asked that the hiring policy be clarified.
I hope that Coach Howe’s statement here is an indication that there are indeed discussions taking place regarding reinstatement, provided that Belmont assures her that she is 100% welcome in the community and that the way in which this was handled was wrong; that Belmont clarifies its overall employment policies in ways that reflect Dr. Fisher’s comments last night; that there is assurance that Mike Strickland, Marty Dickens, and anyone else will kindly stay out of Coach Howe’s personal life; that she will be evaluated on her abilities as a soccer coach, and nothing else. If all of that were to happen, then Belmont would be very fortunate to have her back, if indeed she were to want to return. I’m not sure that Belmont deserves her.
Oh, and Belmont should offer her childcare for that beautiful little baby that is coming.
Lisa Howe was not fired for anything regarding her sex.
try another thing.
filthy perverts!
God
J.C.
I can,t wait to meet you for coffee and talk deep DEBATE wit you because I find the eggs have fallen on my windsheild. ANALOGY.
But you he/she/it/or/person/probably don,t know the half of what that means. LATIN.
Yeah… so we,ll speak level headed like two good debaters and you have to finish to say it cream all pie.
CHECK MATE!! ha ha ha ha it,s just too easy me to make it look like youre head is RASIN SIZED sized. How bout INSTEAD attacking.
youre goldfish are pervets. i said…. it. AND I MEANED IT! so know how bout take ur own medine to the docter and DEBATE AGAInsT THE CONCEPT AND NOT PERSONAL ATTACK!!!!! like not say carcass of a person on tooth.
i could go on….. but your not ready to haven,t eaten the knowledge i had BROUGHTEN!!! CHECK AND DA MATE J.C.!!! eeewwwww SNAPPY FINGER.
Howe should wait for Belmont to re-offer the job and then tell them to stick it. In fact, how can anyone even want to attend this school now? I’m embarrassed to have graduated from it.
Belmont now has a decision to make: “Which will hurt us more? Employing a gay soccer coach who is loved by everyone involved with her (read her player’s comments about her), or the label of being an Anti-Gay School?”
The fact that Belmont hasn’t made this decision really shows the quality of school it is.