Mailbag: Students deserve equal protection

The July 6 “In Theory” asked if religious colleges receiving federal funds should be allowed an exemption from Title IX regulations barring discrimination against LGBT students and faculty.

Readers might assume that LGBT students would not attend a school whose tenets condemn them for who they are. That misconception could lead to the belief that this legislation is unnecessary because few, if any, students need this protection. But look at the issue from the perspective a 16- or 17-year-old selecting a college. At that age many teens are still uncertain about their sexual orientation or are not ready to disclose to their parents.

The more religious a parent, the more pressure he or she may place on a student to attend a religious college. And the more strongly the parents believe in a religion that considers LGBT conduct sinful, the harder it will be for a student to discuss sexuality with his or her parents. It’s easy to see how an LGBT student can end up in a school such as Biola University or in a Catholic school.

As they become more confident in their sexuality, many students may seek to transfer to schools where they will not be condemned for who they are. But the student may still need parental financial support, financial aid may be less for a transferring student, and a student may already be so close to graduation that transferring would require a longer time in college to meet the new school’s graduation requirements.

Protecting young people from discrimination that may short circuit their college careers is crucial. The state Assembly should pass SB 1146 without any amendments that dilute its force. Then schools such as Biola can decide which is more important — adhering to the strictures of their religion or keeping the federal money. Any predictions?

Mary-Lynne Fisher
La Crescenta

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On the loss of a good friend

Remembering my great friend Betty Hurn who passed July 3, I’m so thankful I got to hold her hand in the final days. In the words of Dr. Seuss: “To the world you may be just one person; but to one person, you may be the world!”

When it comes to friendships, none are quite so rare as the special bond Betty and I shared. I first met her at the gym; she wanted a trainer. When it came to exercise, she was a bit of a complainer.

Then, I started to just drop by to see her. We’d always laugh and have a good time. We’d watch TV, talk about the news, have coffee, lunch, high tea or dinner and drink wine.

Betty was gorgeous, feisty, intelligent, kind, charming, hilarious and witty. I loved hanging out with her; she was entertaining and made me feel like family. Her home was always immaculate before the cleaning lady even came. She’d talk about her sisters and the neighbors. We’d talk about how she trapped the skunk family in her backyard, the problems she’d had with coyotes, bears, birds and bees. We’d also talk about the best, most loved dog ever — Daisy!

Betty was always an officer on the Verdugo Hills Hospital Women’s Council and a pillar of the community. I’d go with her to Christmas events, luncheons, bingo, fashion shows. She was the life of the party.

I will never drive past Lauderdale Avenue and not think of her. She was on my way to and from work for 20 years. It is said that a life that matters is one that has significance. Betty lived a very significant life.

I am grateful I knew her and I am going to miss her so much.

Jodie Kendall
La Cañada Flintridge

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Council’s actions were corrupt

On May 26, the residents in the Rossmoyne neighborhood filed an appeal to contest the Design Review Board decision to approve the Aloft Hotel to be constructed at the northeast corner of Brand Boulevard and Dryden Street. Little notification of the board’s meeting was given to the local residents most affected by the planned hotel. The Rossmoyne residents had to pay $2,000 to file the appeal. The appeal hearing was conducted as part of the agenda of the regular City Council meeting on June 14.

I have attended many City Council meetings on behalf of the Glendale Homeowners Coordinating Council and on behalf of residents who opposed development projects in their neighborhoods. I have never experienced the total lack of support by a City Council as I witnessed at the June 14 hearing. Since the Rossmoyne residents had to pay $2,000 to file the appeal, they certainly should have had the opportunity to be seated in the council chambers. However, the city manager opened the council chambers early for the hotel developer and his staff, resulting in the council chamber being mostly occupied by mostly supporters of the hotel.

The mayor should have had half of the chamber reserved for the Rossmoyne residents. Instead they were relegated to sit downstairs and denied the opportunity to hear all the dialog between the City Council, staff and the developer which really dominated the entire proceedings. The Rossmoyne residents who wanted to speak had to individually be called to come upstairs to make their appeals.

The actions of the City Council were appalling, and can only be labeled as corruption. All the residents of Glendale should be concerned about this action which gave an individual property owner priority over hundreds of Rossmoyne residents directly affected by the hotel project.

Albert Hofmann
Glendale