Lesbian couple protests school's decision

registerguard.com ^ | Aug 29, 2003 | By Anne Williams

[bicycle thug]

A lesbian couple has complained to the Eugene Human Rights Commission and the Oregon Child Care Division, alleging that O'Hara Catholic School refused admission to their 4-year-old daughter because of their sexual orientation.

One of the women, Lee Inkmann, said O'Hara Principal Dianne Bert told her in mid-August that having a family with two mothers at the school would confuse other children, and that gay unions are in conflict with Vatican teachings.

Bert declined to comment, as did a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Portland. O'Hara issued a statement that said the school does not discriminate on the basis of "race, color, national and ethnic origin" in admissions, but "cannot comment on decisions of academic placement for any specific student."

The Rev. Mark Bachmeier of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the parish priest who oversees O'Hara, also refused to discuss the matter.

"I think we'll just let that statement speak for itself for now," he said.

Inkmann, a 43-year-old business owner, said she has attended and paid dues at St. Mary's since January after a long absence from the church.

"I feel called to respond to my parish and the local parish school because of my developed Catholicism," she said. "I want my daughter to receive a Catholic education that will be in keeping with her teachings at home, and I want to become part of a Catholic community again like I was when I was a child."

The Human Rights Commission assigned an advocate, Neil Van Steenbergen, to the case, with the hope of ironing things out between the two parties.

But O'Hara officials did not wish to meet with him, Inkmann said. On Wednesday, she said, Bachmeier told her the final answer was no.

Steenbergen said neither he nor the Human Rights Commission can provide legal advice.

"My role as an advocate is not to do the work for the person involved but to listen and explore options and help that person come to some resolution," he said.

The city's ordinance prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, city contracting and public accommodation on the basis of a list of characteristics, including actual or perceived sexual orientation.

Inkmann said she isn't sure she wants to send her daughter to O'Hara now, but wants to ensure other families have the right to do so.

She asked that her daughter not be named because she fears possible reprisals for her stand. Her partner also declined comment.

Whether a private school falls under the mantle of "public accommodation" is open to interpretation, but Dave Fidanque, executive director of the Oregon American Civil Liberties Union, says it should.

A Catholic school, he said, "is essentially a business that provides service to the public at large."

"For instance, Catholic Charities doesn't only provide services to Catholics, it provides services to people who are needy," Fidanque said.

"We could argue that the church cannot discriminate in either its employment or acceptance of students."

Fidanque said the school also might be vulnerable under state law that prohibits discrimination by state-certified, extended-day preschools on the basis of the parents' marital status. Inkmann has complained to the state Department of Employment's Child Care Division, which is awaiting an opinion from the state Attorney General's Office on whether the school may be out of compliance.

But Fidanque said he hopes O'Hara will reconsider.

"What they're about is providing a quality education for all children that come to them," he said.

"I'm confident there are students from all types of families at O'Hara school, and this would not be any big deal for other kids and families."

That's true for Shan and Mikayle Anderson, whose daughter will start preschool at O'Hara next week. Their girl and Inkmann's daughter attended preschool together at the YMCA. The Andersons sent an e-mail to the school supporting Inkmann's family.

"As a concerned parent, I didn't think it was appropriate policy," Shan Anderson said. "I don't think a kid should be ostracized because of the perceived failings of their parents, whether it's sexual orientation or marriage or fidelity or past criminal behavior. The Catholic religion I was brought up in was about forgiveness and acceptance."

In a check of admissions policies elsewhere, several other private Catholic schools in the Portland area did not return calls or referred questions to the Archdiocese of Portland.

Maurice Healy, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, said no formal policy exists in his region regarding admissions of children with gay parents. He's never heard of any similar conflicts arising, he said.

"I imagine there are children in the schools with homosexual parents," he said.

Anselmo Villanueva, who was principal at O'Hara from 2000 through 2002, said his personal philosophy is one of inclusiveness.

"My thing on sexual orientation is that's not for me to decide if it's right or wrong," said Villanueva, now principal at Adams and Hillside elementaries in Eugene. "My thing in education is to teach all kids."

But homosexuality is anything but an easy topic for the Catholic church, he said.

"The church is really wrestling with this stuff now," he said.

[Kuksool]

The ACLU tried this stunt two years ago in KY. Thankfully a federal judge ruled against the ACLU. Now the ACLU is trying again, this time on the Left Coast. You're right that this particular case is no slam-dunk. Who knows how the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will rule.

Here is a link to a FR thread about the KY case.

"Judge sees no bias in firing of lesbian; KY Baptist agency favored in ruling"

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b5f3e771a67.htm

[montag813]

Smells like a set up for a test case to advance the agenda.

Yes, it is indeed.

And forget Alabama and the 10 Commandments. If a judge ever rules that this religious school must accept this girl, and the State of Oregon tries to enforce it, we will see civil war erupt, and I will join that fight.

[freedumb2003]

Catholic lesbian=oxymoron

More like something that cannot exist. The Catholic faith does NOT do the "buffet religion" that is so popular in many faiths. There really isn't an orhtodox vs. non-orthodox scism, since to be a Catholic you have to follow ALL the guidelines ALL THE TIME. When you fall down, you go to confession and then promise to make every effort to GO OUT AND SIN NO MORE.

When you purposefully choose to not follow the dictates of the church, you cease to be a Catholic. You might be a good person, but by definition you are NOT a Catholic.

[Bikers4Bush]

Here we go, first little miss I wanna wear my headscarf now here in Ohio and the lesbians out in Oregon.

The systematic attack on Catholicism has begun.

[Paulus Invictus]

it's a private church school with Catholic rules about what constitutes affamily and what is homosexuality. Why would the lesbians even complain? Are they Catholics?

[Bikers4Bush]

LOL!!! You're damn right it is! Nice one!

[ladylib]

In my niece's Christian school, she had to sign a "statement of faith" as well as promise to be active in her Christian church. (The Christian church part was put in to keep certain people out, I'm sure).

This girl is too young to sign a statement of faith, but her Mommies can be required to if the school decides to request it.

[CdMGuy]

Right. I spent 16 years in Catholic schools. I don't ever remember being taught anything about Acceptance. Forgiveness yes, when the sinner repented. As for Acceptance, it was just the opposite. There was always a big thing made about doing anything that would spread scandal.

It looks like a test case to nullify the principle that a private school can do as it chooses because it is private. There is a revolution coming in this country and it isn't going to be pretty. The Alabama Ten Commandments may be just the start.

[EBITDA]

Yeah, but what they teach is also their business as long as they have submitted themselves to appropriate accreditation. the real problem here is that the school cannot afford the litigation.

But the church, as depleted as its coffers are, probably could handle the cost. I'd love it if they would champion this. I am on the board of a small (non-catholic) private school and we couldn't keep the doors open if we had to fight a suit. It would be nice to have a precedent out there, because I suspect it will eventually happen that most religious private schools will get sued if for no other reason than to bankrupt them.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Not in light of the record of the Catholic priesthood . . .

[netmilsmom]

>> first little miss I wanna wear my headscarf now here in Ohio <<

What's this about?

[Kuksool]

***If they are members of the chuch they should be publicly expelled. Let them sue over that!***

Hear, hear. Church discipline is absent at many religious institutions these days.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Why? Apparently her parents want to send her to a Catholic school, instead of dumping her in the local government school, the way most straight parents do. Doesn't sound so bad to me.

[EBITDA]

You can thank Algore for that little Trojan Horse. Remember his 'phone tax'? I have been wondering when the government will start tightening the strings that were attached to that one.

[OpusatFR]

"A Catholic school, he said, "is essentially a business that provides service to the public at large."

But does not accept government funds, taxpayer money.

"For instance, Catholic Charities doesn't only provide services to Catholics, it provides services to people who are needy," Fidanque said."

That was truly lame.

"We could argue that the church cannot discriminate in either its employment or acceptance of students."

Yes, it can. The Church is also not going to change its policy on homosexuality. The left forced the idea of separation of Church and State. They cannot regulate religion and religious belief and claim noninterference of religion in State affairs.

WE need a new American Revolution.

[Ronly Bonly Jones]

hmmm, a Catholic lesbian=oxymoron

Hardly. Do you know how many of them have been ordained?

:-/

[mollynme]

And finally, where the HELL does the ACLU get off threatening a religious organization for practicing its religious freedom??

You answered your own question there.

[ladylib]

"A Catholic school, he said, "is essentially a business that provides service to the public at large."

"For instance, Catholic Charities doesn't only provide services to Catholics, it provides services to people who are needy," Fidanque said.

"We could argue that the church cannot discriminate in either its employment or acceptance of students."


Why people hate scumbag lawyers.

[B Knotts]

Looky here...

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping