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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyMay 31st, 2009
A college in Western Pennsylvania has edited the non-discrimination policy that had been posted on its web site for nine years after denying health insurance to Andrew Doherty, who had married his partner in Massachusetts:
Since 2000, Westmoreland County Community College has published notices saying the school will not discriminate against individuals based on various circumstances, including their “sexual orientation” and “union membership.”
But the school now says there is another statement that does not contain those four words and that it is the only one approved as an official policy by college trustees — in a 1998 vote.
So the college has begun the unusual task of striking references to both classes of people from its non-discrimination language, including a statement on the college’s Web site.
When Doherty’s claim for medical coverage for his spouse was denied, he complained to his union. Meanwhile, the college quietly deleted the references to “sexual orientation” and “union membership” from its web site. College President Daniel Obara said they will also be removed from the course catalog for the 209-10 academic year, where it has appeared every year since 2000. Obara claims that the terms were added by a former employee without his knowledge. That employee denied Obara’s claim.
Doherty’s grievance against the college is still pending.
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John
May 31st, 2009
It seems that a very good case can be made that this was at the very least false advertising (if not a blatant attempt to revise their own history). People were accepting positions at this college with the expectation that the college was discrimination-free. Pulling the statement after putting it up on the website for about a decade and printing it in the course catelog for about that long isn’t going to look real impressive to a judge. I wish this guy the best of luck in suing these folks.
Bruno
May 31st, 2009
I agree, a university ultimately should be held to its “advertising” like any other business.
homer
May 31st, 2009
Lawsuit time. The college will end up paying more in legal fees than it would for the medical coverage.
KZ
May 31st, 2009
The ‘Michael Steele Excuse’ strikes again!!!
sammyseattle
June 2nd, 2009
I’d love to see this one go to trial. “We didn’t know it had been published continuously for nine years.” is the weakest of defenses.
Ephilei
June 2nd, 2009
Agreed. I would not take a job for a company or land where unless there is a gender identity non-discrimination policy.
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