Homophobic loses lawsuit appeal

Augusta_State_University

A counseling student in the USA has filed a lawsuit against her college for trying the change her homophobic views. Augusta State University student Jennifer Keeton admitted outside of classes that she doesn’t believe in homosexuality and that she feels it is immoral. Her opinions have been shaped by her Christian belief, so she says. This view was reported back to staff who felt she needed more diversity training in order to do the job of a counselor.

Keeton turned to the Alliance Defence Fund, a charity which defends individuals on such issues as anti-abortion, family values and the right to Christian values. Keeton was advice to attend a diversity sensitive course and participate in Atlanta Pride. She was also encouraged to write in her papers to tutors detailing how these two things have altered her viewpoint. Keeton, who wants to be a school counselor, argues that this violated her First Amendment rights and claims she would still beable to counsel an LGBT student, despite her views.

At her appeal the federal judge sided with the college's right to choose the way in which they taught counselling. This means she will either have to do the diveristy course or find somewhere else to study.