Judge rules that university can require counseling students to learn about gay issues
Sun. August 22, 2010 11:29 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Augusta, Georgia -
A federal judge has ruled that Augusta State University can require graduate counseling students to learn about gay issues.
Student Jennifer Keeton was trying to resist a "remediation" plan put forth by the school after she said that if confronted by gay clients, she would tell them "their behavior is morally wrong and then help the client change that behavior."
The remediation plan involved exposure to gay community events and also required Keeton to do some additional academic reading.
Keeton claimed the remediation plan violated her First Amendment rights.
The judge said the case was not about "pitting Christianity against homosexuality," just about whether or not the school's requirements were constitutional, reported the Augusta Chronicle.
Student Jennifer Keeton was trying to resist a "remediation" plan put forth by the school after she said that if confronted by gay clients, she would tell them "their behavior is morally wrong and then help the client change that behavior."
The remediation plan involved exposure to gay community events and also required Keeton to do some additional academic reading.
Keeton claimed the remediation plan violated her First Amendment rights.
The judge said the case was not about "pitting Christianity against homosexuality," just about whether or not the school's requirements were constitutional, reported the Augusta Chronicle.