Antigay Student Sues University

A Georgia student who believes homosexuality is immoral and a lifestyle choice has filed a lawsuit against Augusta State University, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Jennifer Keeton, a school of counseling graduate student at the university, claims her constitutional rights were violated by school officials who threatened to expel her if she didn't complete a remediation plan that includes diversity sensitivity workshops.

A lawsuit filed in federal court in Augusta, Georgia last Wednesday states that Keeton frequently said in and out of the classroom that, according to her Christian beliefs, homosexuality is immoral and a lifestyle choice. The Alliance Defense Fund, a coalition of Christian attorneys, will represent Keeton in the lawsuit, which accuses Augusta State officials of violating Keeton's First Amendment rights to free speech and the free exercise of religion. A statement released by David French, senior counsel for the defense fund, states, "A public university student shouldn't be threatened with expulsion for being a Christian and refusing to publicly renounce her faith, but that's exactly what's happening here." The lawsuit claims Keeton's beliefs would not affect her ability to counsel gays and lesbians.