Professor fired for stance on homosexuality
July 20, 2010 by Taylor HanniganPosted in: In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
A professor was let go after a student labeled his stance on homosexuality “hate speech.” Here’s why his former employer is rethinking its decision:
Kenneth Howell was an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois, where he taught classes on Catholicism. In 2008 and 2009, he was rated an excellent teacher by students.
During a class discussion on the topic of homosexual sex, Howell told his students that as a Catholic he agrees with his religion’s prohibition of it.
That pronouncement didn’t sit well with a friend of a student, who called it “hate speech” in a complaint that was e-mailed to the head of Howell’s department. Howell was then fired.
Now the university is having second thoughts about its decision. In fact, it’s convened a committee to decide whether the move violated Howell’s academic freedom.
The committee may finish its review by the time fall classes start.
Should the professor have been fired for his comments? Tell us what you think.
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Tags: academic freedom, free speech, homosexuality, University of Illinois
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July 21st, 2010 at 10:28 am
Why is it today you can be fired if you don’t agree with someone else’s beliefs. They don’t fire people for being for homosexuality but a person can be fired if he’s against it. Are they the only ones allowed free speech and anyone not agreeing denied the same. Don’t scream for equality if you yourself are not willing to grant the same to the other guy.
July 21st, 2010 at 12:44 pm
A class on Catholicism taught by a Catholic person who made a statement in line with his religious beliefs. It did not say he lectured on his beliefs. It said he made a statement that he agreed with his religion’s views. How is that “hate speech?” Isn’t that “free speech?” No he should not have been fired and I hope the school concludes the same.
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:47 am
For all of the energy, effort and lip-service played in higher education to the study and appreciation of diversity, it is a tragedy that certain elements of society cannot accept diverse opinions, particularly when they differ from their own. I think the University of Illinois would be wise to invest in some mandatory continuing education for its faculty, staff and administration in the true meaning of academic freedom and diversity.
July 26th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Seems like the only ones entitled to free speech these days are the gays, minorities, muslims, etc. When conversative white people express an opinion they are labeled racist and intolerant. It’s so one-sided, it’s ridiculous. NO THE TEACHER SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FIRED. The university owes him a huge apology and back pay. And shame on them for their knee-jerk reaction.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:30 am
In this instance, I personally, do not believe the adjunct should have been fired. But it sounds to me that the head of the department either 1.) Didn’t consult with HR before firing the adjunct OR 2.) Received bad advice from HR on the situation. Generally, an adjunct is hired on a contractual basis by semester or academic year to teach specific courses. There is not an expectation on the part of the adjunct, of a continuing employment relationship past the terms of the contract. If the situation were a true instance of “hate speech”, the department head could have suspended the adjunct from the classroom, paid the adjunct for the balance of the compensation owed in the contract and not offered any future teaching assignment. Or, if an investigation had been done by a neutral party (such as HR or an attorney) and the comment was found to be “hate speech”, the action by the college would have been backed up by ‘due diligence’. Either way would have been less expensive (financially and employee-relations wise) than what the University is going through now.
July 30th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Seems that gays are still the only minority that’s still OK to spit on. The catholic church used to be against a lot of things — many that are now accepted. For this guy to foist his own homophobic views on his class IS inappropriate. How’s that supposed to make a gay kid who’s sitting there feel? Can he or she expect a fair grade in this class now? Newsflash: Gay sex is natural…especially to gays! Get over it. If this instructor felt that interracial couples were disgusting, is it also OK to voice that opino in in a classroom? How about women owning property? Divorce? All no-nos at one time or another in the eyes of the pope. I’m sorry, but those who think it’s OK to marginalize gays are part of the problem here. And yes, people DO get fired for being homosexual, not to mentioned beat up or killed. Allowing this kind of attitude to persist in a place of higher learning seems rather counterproductive. Yeah, maybe the guy has a right to be an ignorant homophobe cloaked in so-called religious doctrine. But he does NOT have a right, in his position of authority, to spout it in class. I’m sure the school can find someone else with a realistic world view who is more than willing to fill his position.
July 30th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Certain elements of society? How about fellow humans, members of society and taxpayers who deserve the same rights and *respect* as anybody else? Your language alone speaks volumes. And we’re not talking about “Cubs vs. Sox” or “Boxers vs. Briefs” here, we’re talking about the view that sex, the very basis for human intimacy and a building block for any healthy relationship, should be prohibited!! If you’re disgusted by gay sex, then don’t have it. But what gives anyone the right to say it’s wrong or should be prohibited? What century do we live in for godsakes? For this type of closed minded giberish to be allowed in a COLLEGE CLASSROOM in 2010 is deplorable.
August 1st, 2010 at 7:22 am
I am constantly amazed at the quick firings I hear about. What about mediating a discussion between the faculty and student. You would think colleges would be considering “teachable moments” more than the average business. What a disservice to that student to learn that is what happens when you disagree with someone. a reasonable person standard needed to have been applied.
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:53 am
Wow, Paula. News flash for you – gay sex isn’t natural. But gays desperately need to believe it is and they want the rest of us to agree with that. Most of us don’t agree that gay sex is natural, or moral for that matter. We’re just afraid to say it out loud because if we do we’re labeled as intolerant and homophobic. Just like you’re saying we are. Aren’t we entitled to our opinion? You certainly seem to be.
The professor didn’t say it was disgusting (although he, and many others, may think it is – but THAT opinion does NOT make us homophobes — we aren’t AFRAID of gays or their lifestyle. We just don’t want it crammed down our throats and forced to pretend it’s natural, and have it taught to our children as though it’s normal).
Besides, it was a class on Catholicism for crying out loud. This kid wasn’t even in the professor’s class (see article above), but even if he was, he certainly could have expected people in the class, including the professor teaching it, to have an opinion that doesn’t favor homosexuality.
What gives YOU the right to say it’s not wrong? See what I’m saying — if a person is gay, or supports the gay lifestyle, then then can be as intolerant and opinionated as they want — but God forbid that someone who doesn’t believe it’s OK speak their mind about it. If they weren’t trying to make us all agree that it’s natural and good, we wouldn’t be saying anything at all. We’d all just be going along living our own lifestyles.
Sounds like you’re pretty intolerant about religious views. Works both ways. Deal with it.