Belmont University Soccer Players Denounce Removal of Lesbian Coach

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-12-03 16:15:00 UTC
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Students on the women's soccer team at Belmont University, a Christian institution, are "upset and outraged" at the loss of their coach. The players say that coach Lisa Howe was given an ultimatum: resign or she'd be fired. All because she shared with her players the exciting news that she and her partner were expecting a baby. This is a big problem for Belmont because Howe is in a same-sex partnership.

Belmont University has a reputation for taking an intolerant anti-LGBTQ stance. As Michael Jones reported previously on the Gay Rights blog, although students have tried for two years to form an LGBT student group with significant campus support, university officials claim it would be against their religious tradition.

In this case, the University is attempting to claim that Coach Howe resigned, which was her decision. But the members of her team say that they learned through unofficial sources that their coach's abrupt tear-filled departure had been forced, and senior forward Erica Carter reported that they are united in their opposition to losing their coach, who lead the team to the championship in 2009.

But team caption Sari Lin also reveals that when she met with Athletic Director Mike Strickland, "He basically said we have the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy and when she told us about the pregnancy, it violated that. She was telling us what her sexual preference is. He said you can hide your sexuality, but you can't hide a baby. He pretty much told me that once the baby was born she was going to get fired anyway, so it's better to do it sooner than later." Yep, that sounds like it was totally Howe's decision to leave. Don't they know Don't Ask Don't Tell is a failed policy?

Howe is a great coach, and her players want her to stay. Unlike their bigoted university, they don't think her sexuality should bar her from helping them out on the field. Tell Belmont University to stand up for tolerance by keeping Howe where she belongs: as coach of the women's soccer team.

Photo credit: Howard O. Young

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Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.

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