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Both of the directors of KnowThyNeighbor.org are William and Mary Alums and one of them, Tom Lang, contacted the Blend to let everyone know that he contacted the President's office in the aftermath of the letter issued by the Virginia Attorney General rescinding anti-discrimination policies protecting LGBTs on state campuses. Lang demanded that President W. Taylor Reveley III issue a statement.
I actually told them that this is being watched very closely by national blogs like PHB and that KTN would be ready to let this country know if W&M does the right thing or not. I also called Equality Virginia and let them know that the President of W&M would be issuing a statement soon. It just happened and here you go.
I don't think this was a difficult decision for Reveley at all. Its policy has not changed.
No discrimination at W&M
| March 9, 2010
William & Mary President Taylor Reveley sent the following message to the College community on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. – Ed.
Dear William & Mary Community,
Taylor Reveley
Virginia’s Attorney General has written public colleges and universities in the Commonwealth about their anti-discrimination policies. At William & Mary, we need to review carefully the AG’s views as a matter of law and policy, as well as seek the counsel of the campus community, including of course our Board of Visitors. This process has just begun.
For now, let’s be clear that William & Mary neither discriminates against people nor tolerates discrimination on our campus. Those of us at W&M insist that members of our campus community be people of integrity who have both the capacity to meet their responsibilities to the university and the willingness to engage others with civility and respect. We do not insist, however, that members of our community possess any other particular characteristics, whether denominated in race, religion, nationality, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other of the myriad personal characteristics that differentiate human beings. We certainly do not discriminate against people on such grounds, or tolerate discrimination against them. This is the way we live our lives together at William & Mary, because we believe this is the way we should live our lives together. This is not going to change.
Taylor Reveley
4 Comments
Good to See!What’s so pleasing is that Cucinelli, in his crude attempt to hurt LGBT Virginians, has achieved nothing … except to make himself appear a bigoted fool, except to make Virginia a neanderthalish laughingstock on The Daily Show and elsewhere, except to spur otherwise timid Virginians to stand up against bigotry.
Put another way, with enemies like this, we get friends!
So thank you, AG Cucinelli and Gov. “Taliban Bob” McDonnell: You’ve only been in office a few months, and already you’re advancing equality in Virginia! Keep going at this rate, and who knows how far equality can increase by the time you leave office!
When will all “Institutions of Higher Learning” stand up?This is the only appropriate response. All people of greater intellect will appreciate this, and they will also see the original letter for what it is: An Affront to Equal Protection. This ignorant attempt to affect Higher Learning, in a regressive way, will, I predict, backfire on the Conservative “leadership” (if you want to call it that).
C’mon Virginia, lift yourself out of the dark ages please!
I can just see McDonnell’s smirking grin behind the podium now.
It’s kind of funnyEven though Virginia has a strong strain of wingnut that they can’t seem to kick, it’s also home to some of the best universities in the country. It’s nice to see them living up to their reputation as liberal elites and smacking little shits like Cuccinelli down.
You are missing thje point hereIt doesn’t matter what any of the university presidents SAY. If say, the Director of Admissions at a state university knows someone on their staff is gay, that person can be fired and there is no legal recourse. Based on the governor’s actions and the AG’ statement, the firing would be upheld on an appeal. This has already happened at the Virginia Natural History Museum in Danville even when the executive order was in effect. Wake up Virginians!