Major Donor Pushes Belmont University to Rehire Lesbian Soccer Coach

Mike Curb, a record company executive and former lieutenant governor of California, wants to change Belmont University's policy by affirming that gays and lesbians are welcome on campus.

The Tennessean reports that Curb, a major donor to the Nashville university and trustee emeritus, is urging the school to rehire its women's soccer coach, Lisa Howe, who he says was fired after coming out to the team.

Curb wrote in an e-mail to faculty senate president Andrew Miller, applauding the group's unanimous vote Monday in support of Belmont's gay faculty and students. Curb agreed with the senate, saying that Belmont's leaders are out of touch with the reality of life on campus.

"It's time for Belmont to change and to recognize that we have gay students, faculty and staff," Curb said. "I want to see this board and the school leadership act like Christians."

Read about Howe speaking about her firing here.

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