A decision has been reached concerning the language of the amending of OU’s non-discrimination clause to cover students of different sexual orientations.
The Graduate Student Senate Human Diversity Committee has reached an agreement on final language that if passed in UOSA would be sent to the OU Board of Regents as a suggestion to amend OU’s policies and procedures in dealing with a person’s characteristics and physical attributes.
“The original language was poorly written and we wanted to make sure it covered everyone that the original language was intending to cover,” said Susan Adams-Johnson, GSS chairwoman. “We reached a decision that pleased everyone in UOSA, [Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Friends] and many other groups.”
Adams-Johnson said those working on the bill had a direct investment in the legislation because they would personally benefit from the bill passing.
“We had people ranging in beliefs from conservatives to liberals to heterosexuals to gays and lesbians,” she said.
Adams-Johnson said it took so long to pass the resolution because they wanted to make sure all forms of sexual expression were covered except for extremes such as pedophilia.
The bill’s original author UOSA Rep. Shayna Daitch, international security studies junior, said she would support the bill, but she was disappointed the bill took so long to pass Senate committee.
“Am I disappointed that the legislation took so long to get through? Yes, but I will not vote for the bill out of spite,” Daitch said.
Daitch said she was disappointed the current bill did not appear to have language that the common student could understand.
“The current bill says ‘personal expression of sexualities,’ but no one knows what that really means,” Daitch said. “Why can’t they use common language that everyone understands? Everyone knows what sexual orientation and gender identity are.”
UOSA President Katie Fox said last fall she would support any legislation to amend the non-discrimination policy, but she was unable to be reached for a comment before press time.
Adams-Johnson said she expects the bill to pass with minor changes when the GSS meets Sunday.
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