WILLIAMSBURG, KENTUCKY - About 50 students from across the state rallied here Wednesday to mark what one speaker called a gay-rights “turning point” in Kentucky.The crowd included more than a dozen students from the University of the Cumberlands, which Tuesday agreed to let a gay student it had expelled finish classes for the semester.
“I respect the school for making that decision and realizing that everyone needs an education,” said Melissa Bond, 21, a Cumberlands senior from Cincinnati.
Two other students from the private Baptist-affiliated school also were at the rally off campus, but to offer another view on the controversy.
“Hopefully I can sow the seed, share the Gospel. It is the key to everlasting life, man,” said Josh Dillman, 19, a freshman from Louisville.
He said the expelled student, Jason Johnson, should have been expelled because he violated the school’s policy on homosexuality.
Under an agreement with the school, Johnson will be able to finish his coursework this semester, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Johnson, a Lexington sophomore, will receive grades, and his credits will transfer upon completion of the work, attorney Don Waggener said.
Johnson, 20, has said he plans to transfer to another school after the semester.
According to the agreement, Johnson and the school agreed not to sue each other, but Johnson retains the right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education and with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which accredits the university.
School officials issued a statement Wednesday saying that they had suspended Johnson for violating school policy, but that they have since rescinded the suspension after reaching the agreement.
from The Courier-Journal
No comments:
Post a Comment