LGBT thrives at Eastern after Julea Ward case

[Ian David]

LGBT thrives at Eastern after Julea Ward case
By Janis Tsai | Life Editor
Added September 15, 2010 at 11:08 pm

Despite the storm clouds cast by the Julea Ward case, the LGBT community at Eastern Michigan University continues to vibrantly show its rainbow colors with the same planned events and hopeful attitude for the 2010 school year. One instance was Welcome Back BBQueer at Big Bob’s Lake House last Tuesday. The free cookout was the LGBT Resource Center’s kick off where members of the LGBT community reunited after months apart and learned of upcoming LGBT events.

Last April, Julea Ward filed a lawsuit claiming EMU dismissed her based on her religious beliefs, which violated her constitutional rights to freedom of speech, due process and equal protection.

Ward was expelled after she transferred her client’s file to another counselor. The client went to Ward for help on a homosexual relationship and Ward chose not to counsel the client because it violated her religious beliefs.

“The Court upheld Eastern Michigan’s right to establish the curricular requirements of its counseling program, which adhered to the Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Ethical Standards of the American School Counselor Association,” Walter Kraft, vice president of communications at EMU, said.

More:
http://www.easternecho.com/index.php/article/2010/09/lgbt_thrives_at_eastern_after_julea_ward_case

[joeybee12]

1. Last time I checked, there is no right of ignorance in the Constitution...n/t