An Arabic lecturer discovered Thursday that his complaint against the University had been denied. This complaint challenged the University's nondiscrimination policy that prohibits health benefits for same-sex couples.
Uri Horesh made this complaint after attending a focus group with fellow gay and lesbian faculty and staff discussing the issue.
"It really bugged me that the struggle these people have been conducting has been very quiet and polite," Horesh said. "The atmosphere is that we feel strongly about this issue. We are playing their game, and it is time to speak out."
After conducting more research, Horesh filed a complaint against Provost Steven Leslie for what Horesh said was "violating the University's nondiscrimination policy," and that the University's conduct "contradicts this policy, which states that no one can be discriminated against based on sexual orientation."
The initial complaint was handled by Linda Millstone, associate vice president for Institutional Equity and Workforce Diversity. Millstone said that the UT System's procession of health care benefits was a statute passed by the legislature.
"The Texas Family code and the Texas Insurance code defines a 'spouse' and a legal 'marriage' as a union between a man and a woman," Millstone said. "It precludes same-sex couples as well as people outside of committed relationships irrespective of their gender."
In the letter informing Horesh about the University's decision, Millstone wrote that the University was "not unsympathetic" to his concerns, but was fettered to the state laws that provide benefits to same-sex couples.
Jesse Free, Queer Students Alliance co-director, said that this policy is discriminatory toward the gay community because people are "entitled to create their own family structure."
"A person's partner is their partner whether the state wants to claim it or not," Free said. "This university has lost really great professors to other universities because of the lack of benefits for domestic partner relationships."
Horesh, a previous employee with Georgetown University, said Georgetown, a private institution, has a policy called "legally domicile adults," which allows same-sex couples to claim their spouse legally. Horesh also said the University of Michigan in January 2008 will enact "other qualified adult" to appease same-sex couples who are restricted by law to claim their spouse's benefits.
Horesh has appealed the University's decision and is waiting for a response.
He has created a Facebook group called "Stop Discrimination at UT Austin," a group of 44 members who are banding together to reform this policy.
"I have seen gay students, faculty and staff become angry at this issue, which is making my life miserable," Horesh said. "I hope to make it known that this is intolerable, and if it is not remedied, I will leave the University. I want to pose an ultimatum; if this isn't resolved I will leave this University. My departure may not affect the University, but I am hoping that it will create a spark and make a change for the long run."
Be the first to comment on this article!