Disclaimer: I will attempt in the following post to use neutral language. I want to give no opinion on this issue. I have not heard it talked about in very many circles, so I would like to know what people in the industry think about this topic.
I had the opportunity to interview a camp counselor who is homosexual for a cabin counselor position. I began to wonder if this poses a liability issue. This person has taken a position with another organization, but the question still remains. Is there a boundaries/liability/legal issue with employing a person who is homosexual in positions where that person would be in a one-on-one with campers? Please let me know what you think. You can post anonymously if you would like.
June 13, 2008 at 12:33 am
No, I do no think by employing a homosexual as a camp counselor is crossing any boundaries, creating any liability issues or legal issues.
Each person if different, whether gay or straight. That’s the key.
I have met some really great, God loving gay people who have more morals and ethics than some heterosexual people I know. That picture goes completely against the stereotype imagine that many people have been taught about gay people. They do exsist though, I have meet quite a few of them.
Really, everything depnds on the person and their character.
Not a lot of people feel this way though, many people think that all gay people have no morals or ethics and they are out to convert, sleep with and destroy children. So, with that imagine in one’s head, they would of course have a serious problem with it.
I believe it would be up to you and if you could stand againest the opposition that would come your way from parents and staff for employing soemone who is gay.
Personally, I wish we could look past someone’s sexuality and get to know the person so eventually none of this would be an issue.
Peace
June 13, 2008 at 1:36 am
I don’t know of any legal issues, but it’s certainly something I’ve thought about. I moved a guy from being a cabin counselor to a live-apart lifeguard because it didn’t feel right. There are many concerns I suppose.
June 13, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I don’t think the character of the gay person was what was causing the concern. It is the sexual orientation. Why do you not put a boy in a girl’s cabin? Presumably it is to do with them being of the opposite sex and thus not wanting them around naked girls – whether camper or staff.
It’s not about character or god.
June 16, 2008 at 2:58 am
I think the larger concern is the public at large. While you as the director may be totally confident in this person, the parents of the children will not. Our society is taught that “those people” are the terrors that do horrible things to our children. Unfortunately these same persons neglect to realize that the real terrors they should battle are persons already familiar with themselves and their families. Until society as a whole stops attacking the GBL community, this scenario will continue to generate discussion and more importantly, Directors will still be forced to address this in a manner that is detrimental to the counselor who is honest in an interview.
July 12, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Here is a thought – would you allow a male counselor who is HETEROSEXUAL to sleep in the same cabin with adolescent females? Why not? It would be the same as having a male or female homosexual sleep in the same cabin with same sex children wouldn’t it?
July 13, 2008 at 9:17 pm
You may already know this, but LWM officially approves and practices hiring bi- and homosexual staff for counselor positions. I have it straight from the man, over Kava.
April 17, 2009 at 5:07 am
As a consultant, I came across a similar issue. To my knowledge, there is no liability; you treat them lilke every other counselor you would hire. As to why this is such a hot topic and causes so much controversy is beyond me. I have interviewed and hired several LGBT staff and have never had a problem or have heard of anyone with a problem.
July 23, 2009 at 7:58 pm
1st of all have you ever heard of the word discrimination? 2nd of all how did you know that this person you interviewed is homosexual? 3rd of all you are brining your own bias to the table on how you think a gay or straight person would act in a certain type of situation. I think the only liability you are opening yourself up to is that of your own doing. You have heard of EEO? Wow – I was just shocked when I say this blog post and I was just checking out your site b/c someone emailed me you had openings for next weeks camp. Really – I think you should consider taking the post down and reconsider what you are saying by just asking a questions like this. It seems like you have alot to learn in the way of being an effective leader. There is nothing neutral about your post.
July 23, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Hey Folks –
Thanks for all of the comments on this post. It has been good getting and idea of the feelings in the industry.
July 23, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Also – In response to Marina – even the EEOC website does not list sexuality in the discriminatory practice section. According to the Human Rights Campaign website, Michigan along with many other states has no laws on the books that prohibit employers from discriminating on the basis of gender preference.
HRC Website – http://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/state.asp?state=Michigan&btnG.x=15&btnG.y=6