...Ward underwent an informal review during which she was asked to undergo a remediation program to change her beliefs relating to counseling about homosexuality, the suit states. When Ward refused, she went through a formal review process with counseling professors. ...According to the transcript, ...Ward said she refused to compromise her religious beliefs. 'In essence, what the university wants her to do is affirm homosexual behavior within the context of a counseling relationship in order to get a degree there,' (her attorney) said. 'That's something she's unwilling to do.'"
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A national public interest group has filed a lawsuit against Eastern Michigan University on behalf of a graduate student who allegedly was dismissed from counseling studies for her religious beliefs regarding homosexuality.
The suit was filed Thursday with the U.S. District Court in Detroit by the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom, a conservative public interest group focusing on religious freedom.
EMU's handbook for students in the counseling program sets out that they adhere to American Counseling Association standards, which require counselors to not engage in discrimination based on, among other things, sexual orientation.
When Ward was asked to counsel a client wishing to discuss a homosexual relationship, Ward objected and followed her supervisor's instructions by referring the client to another counselor, said Jeremy Tedesco, an Arizona-based attorney working on the case.
Although she had been instructed to refer clients when faced with an ethical dilemma, Ward was still brought up on disciplinary charges, Tedesco said. Dismissal proceedings began in January, and in March she was dismissed from the counseling program. She lost an appeal to the dean of the school of education.
Pam Young, an EMU spokeswoman, released a statement that said the university doesn't comment about pending litigation, but that EMU is "a diverse campus with a strong commitment not to discriminate on the basis of gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression."
Ward is a Belleville resident and a full-time high school teacher, according to the lawsuit. The suit does not say where Ward teaches, but Southfield High School's Web site lists Julea Ward as an English teacher.
Ward could not be reached for comment.
A local attorney working on her case, Steven Jentzen of Ypsilanti, referred questions about the case to the national office of ADF, which is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., with six other offices around the country. Tedesco said the organization generally asks clients not to speak with the media.
The lawsuit says that Ward is "a Christian who derives her beliefs and moral values from the Bible."
"Based on her sincerely held religious beliefs, Ms. Ward believes that homosexual behavior is immoral sexual conduct, and cannot affirm or validate that behavior or otherwise use her counseling skills and abilities to facilitate homosexual behavior, without violating her sincere religious beliefs," the suit states.
Tedesco said Ward's dismissal stemmed from an incident in a practicum course, in which students counsel clients under the supervision of EMU faculty. Faced with counseling a client involved in a homosexual relationship, Ward approached her faculty supervisor prior to meeting to ask for advice.
The supervisor, identified as professor Yvonne Callaway, advised Ward to refer the client to another counselor, according to the lawsuit. Shortly after, Callaway initiated disciplinary proceedings against Ward.
Ward then underwent an informal review during which she was asked to undergo a remediation program to change her beliefs relating to counseling about homosexuality, the suit states. When Ward refused, she went through a formal review process with counseling professors. A transcript of the review, filed with the complaint, quotes Callaway as saying the client's referral was a violation of ethical codes.
According to the transcript, Callaway said Ward questioned the ACA's authority to regulate her behavior and that Ward said she refused to compromise her religious beliefs.
Ward received a letter March 12 informing her of her dismissal from the program. The letter, written by professor and review committee chair Irene Mass Ametrano, says Ward violated the ACA code of conduct bylaws that prohibit counselors from imposing values inconsistent with counseling goals and from discriminating based on sexual orientation.
"Additionally, by your own testimony, you declared that you are unwilling to change this behavior," says the letter filed as part of the lawsuit.
On March 29, College of Education Dean Vernon C. Polite upheld the dismissal.
"In essence, what the university wants (Ward) to do is affirm homosexual behavior within the context of a counseling relationship in order to get a degree there," Tedesco said. "That's something she's unwilling to do."
The lawsuit is seeking Ward's reinstatement into the counseling program and includes a claim for compensatory damages as determined in court. Tedesco said Ward's attorneys will file a preliminary injunction seeking her reinstatement shortly.
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/04/update_eastern_michigan_univer.html
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homosexuality being deemed legal, how can anything be deemed professional when it places ones religious beliefs above obligations within ones own profession. my understanding is that belief is centered around the concept of "i" "i believe in theis" "i dont believe in that". i think particularly in the conservative christian community, it shows just how guilt ridden it is.
ReplyDeletefeetxxxl, The values of every thought are derived and molded by one's beliefs and for an amoral value to be hoisted as an inalienable right, deprives the Truth. You cannot lead without a compass and you cannot have a compass without a depth toward reality in existing. Hisotry has and continues to teach truth and reflactions from certain acts. It cannot be denied.
ReplyDeleteWhenever a Nation puts their immediate satisfaction ahead of longterm perspective, they always come to an end.