Gay Couple
Allowed to Live in Campus Family Housing

The University of Hawaii has announced that it will allow a gay couple who threatened to sue to live on campus in family housing. Officials announced Wednesday that the school is working on a policy to admit same-sex couples into family housing, the Associated Press reports.

When Joseph O'Leary and Phi Ngo, who lived together during the 2006-2007 school year, applied to live together next year, they were turned down. They moved off campus for the current school year, but the cost of rent, food, and transportation are difficult for them to manage. Lambda Legal took on their case, noting that the school allows benefits for professors in same-sex relationships.

"The university had no problem with Joe and Phi living in family housing last year," Brian Chase, senior attorney for Lambda Legal, said in a USA Today article on Monday. "It makes no sense for the university to suddenly decide to discriminate against them just because they are gay."

University Chancellor Francisco Hernandez called the lawsuit surprising and disappointing. (The Advocate)