Catholic College Adds Sexual Identity to Non-Discrimination Policy
Trustees for the Congregation of Holy Cross-founded Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, have added sexual orientation to the college’s non-discrimination policy.
The college’s board of Trustees voted last week to add “sexual orientation” to its policy alongside things like race and gender and religion.
“The subject was raised by students and employees who have deep and abiding concerns on this issue,” Stonehill President Fr. Mark Cregan said in a public letter. “Please know that I endeavor to lead Stonehill as a just and compassionate community and believe that this change has further emphasized that we are a community that is welcoming of all persons.”
Fr. Cregan also recently announced that he will be stepping down as president of the college on June 30, when the 2012-13 academic year concludes. There has been no reported link between the two actions.
The issue of sexual identity policy has been a hot topic of late with The University of Notre Dame refusing to add sexual identity to its non-discrimination policy despite significant pressure from students and faculty.
Fr. Jenkins told The Observer that Notre Dame doesn’t discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation but said that if Notre Dame were to alter its nondiscrimination clause it could “undermine our ability to live in accordance with the Catholic teaching because we distinguish between orientation and action.”
Stonehill is, according to its website, also scheduled to host an on-campus event next month called “Enhancing Your Campus Climate for LGBTQ Students.”