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Former Instructor Files Discrimination Complaint

CHICAGO, IL (December 5) – A former North Park University teacher has filed an employment discrimination complaint alleging she was denied a full-time tenure-track teaching position at the university because of her sexual orientation.

Barbara Kelly, who filed the complaint Wednesday with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, claims she was denied a position in the human development division because she is a lesbian.

Kelly, 52 and an Episcopalian, taught an introductory psychology class part-time until this summer when she applied for a full-time position. Her complaint alleges she was later told she would not be a candidate for the position because of her sexual orientation.

During a press conference at the school Wednesday, President David Horner said the matter involves adherence to university policy, not discrimination based on sexual orientation. Quoting from the university's policy, Horner said "full-time faculty are expected to be committed Christians in faith and action, as traditionally understood by the Evangelical Covenant Church."

He then cited a Resolution on Human Sexuality approved by delegates to the 1996 Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church, which states in part, "Heterosexual marriage, faithfulness within marriage, abstinence outside of marriage – these constitute the Christian standard." He then added, "Church statements such as this inform our university's decisions related to personnel and other matters."

The Chicago Human Rights Ordinance, under which the complaint was filed, prohibits discrimination in employment based, among other things, on sexual orientation, which is later defined as "the actual or perceived state of heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality."

However, the ordinance provides an exception to the standards for certain religious organizations. "Nothing in this chapter shall apply to decisions of a religious society, association, organization or institution affecting the definition, promulgating or advancement of the mission, practices or beliefs of the society, association, organization or institution."

The complaint was filed with the city commission because state and federal laws do not cover claims of discrimination based on sexual orientation. The commission has the authority to award damages and order payment of attorney's fees following an investigation, which one observer stated could take as long as two years.

To read the complete text of the university's statement presented during the press conference, visit Press Statement

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