The Waiting Room

Sorry this was so late, but I was busy all day today and of course I had to watch American Idol.

So here’s what happened with my Employment Law lecture.

I started class the same way my Constitutional Law professor did. I explained that this is not the time or place to discuss whether homosexuality is right or wrong. I told them that we are discussing this issue in the context of law and the business world. One cannot pick and choose the people they work with. So, you better check you opinions and/or biases at the door.

Well, it actually worked. We were able to have a discussion of the legal cases that involve discrimination based on sexual orientation without any grandstanding or rude and baseless comments. The students asked really good questions, especially regarding employee benefits for domestic partners. We even had a good discussion as to whether Title VII will be changed to included sexual orientation as a protected class.

I honestly think I did the right thing. I have overheard students say some pretty offensive things in the hallways and even in my Critical Thinking class. So, I had reason to believe that this issue was no different. I thanked my students for their ability to discuss such a controversial issue in a mature manner.

So, there you have it.