Championing Equality: My Fight Against Discriminatory Scholarships at Lewis and Clark College"
In my journey as an advocate for equality, I recently found myself confronted with a troubling issue at Lewis and Clark College. On their website, the college had listed external scholarships specifically tailored for women and LGBTQ+ students. While it might seem well-intentioned, this practice was in direct violation of federal law.
As a firm believer in the principles of equality and fairness, I filed a Title IX complaint against the college. Title IX, a federal law, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. This includes discriminatory advertisements for scholarships.
My complaint initiated an investigation by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and the findings were clear. Discriminatory advertisement is illegal in federally funded programs, and under Title IX, discrimination based on sex is strictly prohibited. Scholarships that are exclusively offered to one gender, in this case, women, were not in compliance with the law.
Furthermore, the college had also listed scholarships exclusively for LGBTQ+ students. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is equally illegal in federally funded programs. This became even more evident in light of the Supreme Court's pivotal decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. The ruling expanded Title VII, which outlaws discrimination based on race and sex, to also encompass sexual orientation and gender identity.
In response to the OCR investigation, Lewis and Clark College took appropriate action by removing these discriminatory scholarships from their website. This was not only a legal obligation but also a significant step toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable campus environment.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of fairness and nondiscrimination within our educational institutions. No student should face barriers or exclusions based on their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Through the power of advocacy, legal recourse, and the commitment to equality, we can make strides toward creating educational environments that celebrate diversity and treat every student with the respect they deserve. It is my hope that this case will encourage other institutions to examine their policies and practices, ensuring that they align with the values of equality and inclusivity.