Question: Will being bisexual keep me from being hired at a private christian college?

(Posted by: Paranormal Kitty on 2010-03-11 20:55:56)

I'm applying for a part- time adjunct faculty position to bring in a little extra $$. With the application you have to sign a form agreeing to this statement and that you consent to a background search: "In connection with my application for employment, I understand and agree that background inquires may be requested by you or on your behalf that will seek information as to my character, work habits, including oral assessments of my job performance, experiences and abilities, along with reasons for termination of past employment. Furthermore, I understand and agree that you may request information from various federal, state, and other agencies, including public and private sources which maintain records concerning my past activities relating to my driving record, credit history, criminal record, civil matters, previous employment, educational background, and other past experiences. " I'm a little confused by "other past experiences " because I've never encountered that on an application before. Everyone I've worked with before knows I'm bi and I shared a one bedroom apartment with my girlfriend for over 2 years. Will that keep me from getting hired?

Posted by: I Like Lime In My Rolling Rock on 2010-03-11, 20:58:23

Because Christians are hypocrites. You being "bi-sexual " doesnt fit with them because you are the biggest sinner ever....

Posted by: Drew on 2010-03-11, 20:58:30

I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you keep your private life private. And that is just good advice for ANYTHING that has to do with your job, let alone your sexuality.

Posted by: 9121 on 2010-03-11, 21:00:03

Depends on the college. At an Episcopalian or Lutheran college, most likely not. At a LDS or Evangelical college, possibly. (I'm assuming it's not a Catholic college, since you probably would have specified, but in general Catholic colleges tend to be somewhat more liberal than other Catholic institutions.) But they might not even find out about your bisexuality, in fact I'd say more likely than not they won't.

Posted by: Don G Johnson on 2010-03-11, 21:03:38

Well, if the college asks whats your sexual orientation and you respond bi, they will probably not hire you because that is against Christianity and since its private they are legally allowed to discriminate

Posted by: Gidget on 2010-03-11, 21:05:34

Yeah, he's right. "Christian college " covers a lot of territory. I know of at least a handful of so-called "christian " colleges that would ostracize you and reject your employment application out of hand and then probably have a guard escort you off of the campus! Among them, Bob Jones University in South Carolina, Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin and Liberty University in Lynchville VA. And I could probably name a few others if I thought for awhile. But these schools are all fundamentalist almost to the point of being radical. These people are very exclusionary and (to an outsider) often appear pretty stone age in their mind sets. Even if they did hire you (and it's more likely than not that your past bisexual activities woudl not be discovered as most employers don't have the money to do deep screenings like this), the agreement you signed could lead to your abrupt discharge if your past were somehow discovered. If you're okay with "don't ask don't tell " (or at least "don't tell ") and the job is just part time (that is, it's not going to be an important part of your resume) then that might not be a problem. But it ould at least lead to some stress if you did get fired. As long as you think you can handle that, go for it! Maybe you can enlighten a few neanderthals along the way, who knows? Oh, one suggestion, though--you should get a copy of the school creed or behavioral code or whatever they call it just to see if they do exclude bisexuality in writing. If they don't, then you would at least have a basis for contesting any hire/ fire decision your orientation might provoke.

Posted by: Oops, I Did It Again on 2010-03-11, 21:16:29

My CATHOLIC school has a gay teacher. Hes awesome. :) and to top it off, hes a flamer. So yes, he has all the stereotypical traits of a gay guy. want to know who else is gay at my school AND has a partner??? our headmaster. Students suspected it and he kept it private but some were brave enough to ask him. He, of course, admitted it. But I will admit, if the institution is in southern United States, you may have difficulty getting hired if they find out you're bi. North? Its very rare to be denied because of sexuality. But Im in the north so...YAY ME!

Posted by: Lee on 2010-03-11, 21:18:07

It could be taken against you...

Posted by: mixermatt2002 on 2010-03-11, 21:25:56

Your sexuality has nothing to do with the job you are seeking.. and remember that you are loved by god no matter what..

Posted by: Arian on 2010-03-11, 23:12:12

Isn't that discrimination? You can contact the FBI if you think that you were denied the job (after applying) because of your orientation (I'm really not sure about this...). It would be hard to prove though; also, I have no idea how private colleges work with the government.