Julea Ward. Photo courtesy of the Alliance Defense Fund.

Jeers to the Detroit Free Press for a headline identifying an anti-gay Eastern Michigan University graduate student as an aspiring social worker. (To read the article click here).

U.S. District Judge George Steeh dismissed a lawsuit filed by Julea Ward, a graduate student who refused to counsel a gay client because it conflicted with her beliefs.

The headline of the article identifed Ward as a “social-work student.” However, she was enrolled in the counseling program, which is part of the College of Education, according to university spokesman Walter Kraft.

 Ward was kicked out of the graduate program when she asked that a gay client be assigned to another counselor. The Alliance Defense Fund, a national religious liberty group, said they will appeal the judge’s dismissal of Ward’s case.

The National Association of Social Workers  supports equal treatment for all, including members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. To find out more click here to visit the association’s Diversity and Equity Web page.