By Kathleen Gilbert
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, May 26, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A group of faculty members at Marquette University have signed on to a public statement blasting Marquette's president for rescinding a job offer to an openly lesbian professor.
Jodi O'Brien, who currently teaches sociology at Seattle University, another Jesuit Catholic institution, lists a host of sexually explicit and radically homosexualist writings on her curriculum vitae. These include essays with titles such as “Phone Sex, Fantasies and Disembodiment,” “Heterosexism and Homophobia,” and “'Do it on the Web': Emerging Discourses on Internet Sexuality.”
In one essay, describing in graphic detail the “gender fluidity” of cyber-sex encounters, O'Brien fantasizes about an online sex advertisement showing a man's nude torso and concludes: “I need some action! Should I take a walk down to the bar or dial up one of the advertised chat rooms? Either way it's this boy's body I'll be holding in my head while I play today.” (Click here to read. Warning: very graphic content.)
O'Brien lost a job offer to become dean of the Marquette College of Arts and Sciences earlier this month, according to a Marquette University statement, after the school found the offer “was done prematurely without as much due diligence as was warranted.” The university said that “publications relating to Catholic mission and identity should have been more fully explored early in the process.” Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki reportedly weighed in with concern over the appointment before the decision was reversed.
Yet in a full-page ad published in Monday's edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, dozens of faculty members demanded that the job be re-offered and an apology issued to O'Brien. The teachers complained about the involvement of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, and claimed that the move “puts academic freedom at risk at Marquette University.” They also said the decision “has caused suffering among students, alumni, staff, and faculty, and it will cost Marquette considerably in terms of community relationships, research, and recruiting and retaining students and faculty.”
Officials at Marquette, which already employs at least one openly lesbian faculty member, maintain that the decision had nothing to do with O'Brien's sexual orientation.
In a May 24 statement, officials said the school “remains steadfast in its opposition to any and all forms of discrimination” and that the decision to rescind the offer was made independently, with the “best interests of Marquette University” in mind.
“This was a substantive decision, even if a difficult one, that Father Wild made based on what he believes to be in the best interests of Marquette University and its mission of excellence, faith, leadership and service,” stated Marquette officials. “It was certainly not a decision based on fear, outside pressure or, as has unfortunately been alleged, on discrimination because of sexual orientation. Nor does this decision challenge a faculty member’s right to academic freedom.”
The statement also noted that “Father Wild and Provost John Pauly have been meeting with academic leaders regarding the need for ongoing dialogue among students, faculty and staff about academic freedom, our Catholic identity, shared governance and the needs of our LGBT community.”
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Uproar after Catholic Marquette U. Rescinds Job Offer to Homosexualist Prof
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/may/10051305.html