Last week, the former University of Minnesota womenâÄôs golf coach Katie Brenny filed suit against the University for discrimination based on sexual orientation. Though lawsuits can have a reputation for being frivolous, this case is a legitimate use of the law to protect a member of a minority group against discrimination.
The reported facts of the case are striking. Shortly after hiring Brenny as the womenâÄôs golf coach, Director of Golf John Harris learned Brenny was gay and did not allow her to travel with or instruct the team. He then changed BrennyâÄôs job description and forced her into administrative, non-coaching tasks.
University General Counsel Mark Rotenberg insists that the University âÄúhas made every reasonable effort to address Ms. BrennyâÄôs concerns,âÄù but this rings false. According to the complaint, Athletics Director Joel Maturi told Brenny that âÄúher choices were to either quit or comply with HarrisâÄô demands.âÄù The University then offered her a sales position in TCF Bank Stadium âÄî a job entirely outside the golf program.
Meanwhile, Brenny followed all the proper steps to register her complaint: She went through official channels, put her complaints in writing, and met with her superiors on multiple occasions. It seems that the Athletics Department and John Harris behaved inappropriately regardless of the legal resolution of the lawsuit.
Brenny should be applauded for speaking up about her mistreatment. Too often, discrimination and harassment, especially regarding sexual orientation, goes unreported or shrugged off. Brenny should serve as an example of how to stand up for oneself in the face of institutional discrimination.