A lesbian student involved in advocacy for queer students on campus has slammed Otago University's failure to publicly address a staff member's widely-reported speculation and joking about a fellow staffer's sexuality. A University lecturer gave evidence during the recent media-saturated Weatherston trial that he had jokingly speculated to a student, Weatherston's ex-girlfriend and eventual murder victim, that Weatherston - a fellow staff member - was gay. During the same line of courtroom questioning the staffer also acknowledged drawing attention to Weatherston's jewelery and alleged use of makeup. Weatherston is understood to be heterosexual. The University was made aware by GayNZ.com, both during and after the trial, that there were community concerns about whether such comments were appropriate in the campus workplace. But repeated attempts to clarify the matter with the University have failed to elicit a response. Theresa Cole, a high-profile lesbian active in student affairs, says the University's failure to engage on the matter, and its process for dealing with sexual harassment, indicate that its policy for staff and students on sexual harassment is weak. "The behaviour of the staff member are unacceptable," Cole says. "It is horrible to consider that such an attitude may be advertised in such a public forum without a corresponding effort to publicly address that such behaviour is not acceptable. In the absence of that this case has definite potential to feed a culture of homophobia and denigration." "Sexual harassment is unfortunately a very difficult area to deal with," says Cole. "If one student makes a complaint about staff member, the member is not relieved of their duty even if they admit to the harassment.... where there is a confirmed case of harassment, relieving the staff member of their employment should be the obvious course of action." As to whether Otago University in general is a 'Queer-friendly' environment, Cole says there is "definitely an ever-improving culture within Otago University - not so much focused on tolerance, but more on acceptance and celebration towards glbt students and staff." She cites the appointment of a Queer Support Coordinator at the Student Association as a positive development. Cole says Otago University Queer Support Services provides "great anonymous advice for any students being harassed or other regarding their sexuality." She recommends that any gay or lesbian student or staff member subject to sexual or sexuality-based harassment should contact Queer Support Services for guidance on how to deal with the issue.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 26th August 2009 - 12:53pm