Fresno Professor Denies Homophobic Complaints

A health science professor at Fresno City College in Central California has repeatedly denied making antigay and religious remarks in his classes after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint on behalf of his students.

ACLU attorney Elizabeth Gill told KFSN TV in Fresno that Brad Lopez "puts up a slide in his classroom, as we said in our letter, that 'homosexuality is a disease.' He is presenting that in his class as a fact as science ... but homosexuality is not a disease."

Lopez said he has not expressed antigay sentiments and has made statements about religion in class simply to encourage critical thinking, but Gill disagrees: "This is not just provoking thought. This is a professor in a classroom presenting facts that are wrong." ACLU officials said the professor's recorded lectures and PowerPoint presentations are the best evidence against him.

Fresno City College's attorney has stated in a letter to the ACLU that "no instructor has a right to engage in political or religious indoctrination or other unprofessional conduct in the classroom," adding that the college would thoroughly investigate the matter, with the process likely taking several weeks.