University Of The Cumberlands: Bigotry Detected; Commence Fallout

Good for him:

Expelled Student Speaks Out

He spent two years at college.

He was on the dean's list and he participated in student activities.

He was then kicked out for being gay.

Jason Johnson was expelled from The University of the Cumberlands earlier this month after school administrators found out he's gay.

Now, he's leading a fight against what he calls blatant discrimination. … [More]

— Melinda Roeder, WTVQ Action News 36, Lexington, Ky.

And good for them:

Cumberlands student Jennifer Roberts, a friend of Johnson’s, was upset with the school’s decision. "He’s openly gay but doesn’t flaunt it," Roberts said. "I think you would be floored by the amount of gay people at our school."

Roberts added she doesn’t think she’s the only student who will speak out against Johnson’s dismissal. "They’re already printing T-shirts that say, ‘Jesus loves gay people, too,’" she said. [Link]

And them:

Representatives of the Kentucky Collegiate Coalition … said people from nine Kentucky schools will participate (at "a protest rally near the school's Williamsburg campus") on Wednesday. [Link]

— Frank E. Lockwood, (Lexington) Herald-Leader Religion Writer

And, most of all, them:

Legislators Oppose Pharmacy Proposal

Gov. Ernie Fletcher said yesterday that he has not decided whether he will veto state money for a proposed pharmacy school at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg.

Meanwhile, State Sen. Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort, called for Fletcher to veto the $10 million for the pharmacy building because Carroll believes it violates the state Constitution's prohibition against giving state money to a religious institution.

Carroll joined two other legislators, State Sen. Ernesto Scorsone and State Rep. Kathy Stein, both Lexington Democrats, who oppose the pharmacy appropriation to the University of the Cumberlands, formerly Cumberland College.

…The University, a Southern Baptist school, dismissed a student last week because he declared he was gay, in violation of university policy. National accreditation rules for pharmacy schools prohibit discrimination against gays. … — Art Jester, Herald-Leader Staff Writer