Montini: GCU does the right thing, me too (finally)

Doing the right thing is not always easy or -- in spite of what we tell our children -- obvious.

Doing the right thing is not always easy or -- in spite of what we tell our children -- obvious.

Because of this, we get impatient. We wonder out loud why it’s taking so long for an offense to be corrected. We make negative assumptions about the individuals or institutions responsible.

And while most people say such things quietly among friends. I get paid to do so loudly and publicly. Then the opportunity comes around for ME to do the right thing – and I flop.

Too often I fail to praise a rectified infraction nearly as loudly or as publicly as I’d condemned the wrongdoing.

With that in mind, I’d like to say “Good job” and “Thank you” to Grand Canyon University.

Beginning back in August and continuing until earlier this month I wrote several things for azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic condemning the university’s ongoing discrimination against married same-sex couples.

Initially I heard from a GCU spokesman who said the university is “still in the process or sorting through this.” He added, “Like many employers, we have not provided marital benefits to same-sex partners. In light of recent Supreme Court and EEOC rulings, we are currently evaluating those policies as part of our plan.”

I spoke with several GCU employees with same-sex partners. One couple was represented by attorney Benjamin Taylor. The Arizona American Civil Liberties Union sent the university a letter asking for a policy change.

It was an ongoing controversy. But GCU took its time and though things through. Earlier this month, the university issued a statement that read in part: "GCU is making a conscious choice to maintain its religious beliefs, while respecting and honoring its neighbors, as well as the system of government and laws that exist today, by extending employee benefits to spouses of lawfully married same-sex couples."

It added, "To be clear, though, the University’s decision in this instance, and the recent changes, or any future changes, in the government’s definition of marriage, do not, and will not, change GCU’s sincerely held religious belief that marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman…The University has voluntarily chosen to extend benefits as a way of demonstrating grace and compassion toward individuals and families that are affected by our decision."

Grace and compassion are good.

Attorney Taylor told me, “Discrimination is wrong and we are happy that GCU understood that all their employees deserve benefits."

His client told me the decision made her “proud to be a GCU employee.”

That employee’s spouse -- also with grace and compassion -- added, “Give credit where credit is due. A change was made. Progress has been initiated. I am grateful to GCU. With hope comes faith. Faith breeds confidence. Confidence in one another breeds unity. Unity breeds peace. We all need peace, regardless of stance on religion. If there is anything that is a common denominator for us all, it should be peace.”