Photo Courtesy, Bruininsider.blogspot.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Former Belmont University Soccer Coach Lisa Howe wanted to share some great news with her team. Her partner had become pregnant with a baby, and for the first time in her life, Howe discussed her being a lesbian with the team. Now she is out of a job.

After her sexuality disclosure, Howe was asked to resign, according to some of the Belmont’s soccer players.

Senior Erica Carter said Howe told her, and that officials had given her the choice to resign or be terminated

“She said, ‘I just want you to know that I lost my job today,’” said Carter. “And I could hear in her voice that she was choked up and there were tears in her voice. Basically … I felt shocked.”

Carter said Howe told her that Belmont officials asked her to resign because of her family situation.

“She basically explained that … because of her morals and values and her decision, it conflicted with Belmont’s morals and values and she could no longer be an employee at Belmont University,” said Carter.

The University and Howe, “both agree that Coach Howe did not ‘resign’ from her employment. Neither was she dismissed. Rather, there was a mutual agreement that it would be in the best interests of both Coach Howe and the university for her to conclude her employment as coach,” said a statement from the Belmont Athletics Department. Howe also issued a statement through the university.

“I was hired to do a job and am extremely proud of what we have accomplished, for it reflects the dedication and hard work of terrific players and the parents who support them in their sports endeavors,” Howe said. “I do want to express my deep gratitude to the players, their families, the alumnae and faculty members who have come forward to express their concern over my leaving.”

In Tennessee it is legal to fire an employee for being gay, because the state does not have an employment nondiscrimination act that includes LGBT citizens.