Ousted Belmont Coach Speaks Out

Lisa Howe, former women's soccer coach at Belmont University, initially did not speak out in public after reports surfaced that she was pressured to resign once the institution learned that she was a lesbian and that Howe and her partner are planning to have a baby. But after the university's board chair spoke out, she is responding. The board chair, Marty Dickens, told The Tennessean, in regard to the treatment of Howe: "We expect people to commit themselves to high moral and ethical standards within a Christian context." On Monday evening, through a lawyer, Howe issued a statement in which she said: “No one wants their private family life made public or likes to think that people are talking about them, but I feel like I need to explain just a little about myself, for I have always held my head high and will continue to do so. I believe I am a good, moral person, who cares for others. Those and other basic Christian tenets are important to me, to how I live my life, including as a coach, and to what I want to teach my child as he or she grows up. I have never intentionally detracted from the goodness or holiness inherent in any person or institution, and I do my best not to judge people based on personal characteristics such as race, gender, religion, ability, or sexual orientation or gender identity.”