Sexual Orientation Discrimination Policy Needed at Eastern, Alumni Group Says

An Eastern University alumni group that supports the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered (LGBT) communities has written an "open letter" to Dr. Tony Campolo asking him to support the creation of an anti-discrimination policy for LGBT students and faculty.

One Easternbegins the letter to Campolo, a leading Evangelical voice and a prominent face of Eastern, with this:

The Eastern University community loves you. For decades, you have been a voice for the marginalized, the oppressed, and the ignored; and you have earned the deepest respect and appreciation of the Eastern University community.

Eastern has a reputation for its work in social justice, and amending the university's policy on banning discrimination based on gender would be very much a social justice issue, Paetzold told Radnor Patch.

With the school's current president retiring and having an interim Provost, Paetzold said there was confusion as to whom to direct this movement within the administration. Given Campolo's tenure with the school and his influence, the organization is reaching out to him.

The letter continues:

As a school dedicated to “Faith, Reason, and Justice” Eastern University is falling short of its motto by failing to extend the anti-discrimination policy. Dr. Campolo, your voice can make an important difference at Eastern University for its students, faculty, and staff.

Recently some big Evangelical names are coming out to support marriage equality. Although this movement is not about that, "We’re hoping that’s creating a momentum right now."

"With [Campolo's] voice, it might be strong enough to get the administration to do it," said Paetzold.

He said he believes the majority of students there would support an anti-discimination policy. Paetzold said there have been cases at the university in which students have had issues with professors over their sexual orientation.