Illinois college becomes first to ask undergrads if they're gay

[News Feed]

Elmhurst College, a private liberal arts school in suburban Chicago affiliated with the United Church of Christ, has become the first college in the country to ask an optional question about a student's sexual orientation and gender identity on an undergraduate admission form, according to the school and a gay rights advocacy group.

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[the_leander]

I can kinda understand their logic in wanting to be up front in promoting diversity, but still part of me would feel kinda uneasy about answering such a question, especially at that age.

 

[Dammy]

Nice invasion of student's privacy. Could you imagine the screaming going on if a Catholic or Islamic college asked that question?

 

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Nice invasion of student's privacy. Could you imagine the screaming going on if a Catholic or Islamic college asked that question?

/care

 

[the_leander]

Nice invasion of student's privacy. Could you imagine the screaming going on if a Catholic or Islamic college asked that question?

Difference is, is that both the Catholicism and Islam has major form for discriminating against members of the GLBT communities.

 

[Dammy]

Difference is, is that both the Catholicism and Islam has major form for discriminating against members of the GLBT communities.

It's a invasion of privacy, regardless of the intent. Imagine if business are allowed to ask about sexual preferences? Or what position they liked best? How about insurance applications? Now if one college can get away with asking this personal information that has zero to do with them being a good student, other institutions can ask as well, even Catholic or Islamic. Good for the goose, is good for the gander.

 

[Speelgoedmannetje]

IIRC the question did not need to be answered on paper, just solely to yourself.

 

[the_leander]

It's a invasion of privacy, regardless of the intent.

I'm not disagreeing with that, I was merely replying to your statement about why it's not such a big deal when a liberal arts college does it whilst there would be a storm should either of the options you suggested did.

How about insurance applications?

What makes you think that some life insurance policies don't?

Good for the goose, is good for the gander.

The article suggests that the only reason they can ask is because they are not required to use the standardised forms. Not that that is much comfort or real protection tbh.

 

[cecilia]

IIRC the question did not need to be answered on paper, just solely to yourself.

I'd Never answer that question, anywhere. and it's not for me, but to protect the "minorities". It's none of Anyone's business. period.

 

[redrumloa]

It's a invasion of privacy, regardless of the intent. Imagine if business are allowed to ask about sexual preferences? Or what position they liked best? How about insurance applications? Now if one college can get away with asking this personal information that has zero to do with them being a good student, other institutions can ask as well, even Catholic or Islamic. Good for the goose, is good for the gander.

Insurance rates vary based on male or female. I guess in the future companies like Geico and Progressive will ask sexual preference along with your social security number. Health insurance companies like UHC will ask sexual preference and deny treatment for colon cancer in homosexual males.

 

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Insurance rates vary based on male or female. I guess in the future companies like Geico and Progressive will ask sexual preference along with your social security number. Health insurance companies like UHC will ask sexual preference and deny treatment for colon cancer in homosexual males.

Insurances should be de-privatized anyway.
What good can come of profit maximisation in the insurance 'market'? Only a cobweb of measures for not paying the people what they have paid you for.

 

[Dammy]

Insurances should be de-privatized anyway.
What good can come of profit maximisation in the insurance 'market'? Only a cobweb of measures for not paying the people what they have paid you for.

Worse, it could be government funded death panels. I much prefer to vote with my wallet on what health care I get and from whom, then have the government force me to pay for my own death panel. I can still sue the private insurer, can't do that against the Feds.

 

[the_leander]

Worse, it could be government funded death panels.

That line was retarded when Palin uttered it, it's even more retarded now.

Just stop.

I can still sue the private insurer, can't do that against the Feds.

Because hospitals in countries with universal healthcare systems never ever get malpractice suits... Oh wait, they do.

And offering private care doesn't necessarily stop being an option in a country with a state provision.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

Worse, it could be government funded death panels.

What's a "death panel"? And is it still a "death panel" when insurers decide not to pay for treatment?

I much prefer to vote with my wallet on what health care I get and from whom, then have the government force me to pay for my own death panel.

You can shop for an insurer but you don't know if the insurer is going to help you out when you really need it until you really need it, at which point you are screwed when they don't. At that point you have no recourse because you are about to spend every penny you have and perhaps go into debt and/or simply die. The insurers are happy to take your money but loath to give it back. As soon as you come down with something expensive they will go over your file looking for the tiniest reason to cut you off.

I can still sue the private insurer, [...]

Hah!! If you're a billionaire. Otherwise forget it. You may have the legal right to but that is very different from actually being able to. Try fighting cancer AND your insurer at the same time while refinancing everything you own in the hope that you won't die before the case even comes to court.

 

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Worse, it could be government funded death panels. I much prefer to vote with my wallet on what health care I get and from whom, then have the government force me to pay for my own death panel. I can still sue the private insurer, can't do that against the Feds.

You Americans are voting with putting your wallets in the ballot boxes? I mean, I thought that democracy was all about you as citizen building your country, having your responsibility to vote for a government that actually takes responsibilities? Do you mean the US isn't that free anymore, not a shining example of democracy to the rest of the world? Very encouraging for those people in Tunesia, Libya, Egypt and Syria who fight literally for the values you're supposed to stand for.