Former Eastern Michigan University student and counselor Julea Ward is suing the school for what she claims is a wrongful dismissal because she refused to see a gay student.
Ward says she referred the student to another counselor out of respect for her religious beliefs. The school, however, disagreed. EMU says she was fired for not following the American Counseling Association's code of ethics.
Both sides began their second showdown in U.S. District Court Monday in preparation for a jury trial that begins on October 15. The case was dismissed by Judge George Steeh the first time it was heard before the court. Ward and attorneys appealed.
Republican lawmakers in Michigan tried unsuccessfully to pass a law banning colleges and universities from discriminating against counseling students on the basis of religious beliefs.
Ward says she referred the student to another counselor out of respect for her religious beliefs. The school, however, disagreed. EMU says she was fired for not following the American Counseling Association's code of ethics.
Both sides began their second showdown in U.S. District Court Monday in preparation for a jury trial that begins on October 15. The case was dismissed by Judge George Steeh the first time it was heard before the court. Ward and attorneys appealed.
Republican lawmakers in Michigan tried unsuccessfully to pass a law banning colleges and universities from discriminating against counseling students on the basis of religious beliefs.
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