McCaskill

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard about Angela McCaskill, huh?

Well, the Washington Blade responds that Gallaudet University reinstated the former chief diversity officer after a three-month paid suspension for having signed a petition to put same-sex marriage on the Maryland ballot last November. In an email to the university, President T. Alan Hurwitz wrote:

During the past three months a large number of you have taken the initiative to communicate with me. This has been a period of reflection for all of us. I am deeply appreciative of the time you have taken to communicate your views, of the clearly heartfelt manner in which you have expressed those thoughts, and of the overall maturity you have shown in your willingness to consider the differing views others may hold. The work of the University’s Office of diversity and Inclusion is vital and must continue in an active and vibrant way. I personally look forward to working with Dr. McCaskill on the work of that office.

After a blog revealed that McCaskill has signed the petition, a number of students and activists raised concerns over whether she could fully fulfill her duties as the university administrator charged with enhancing and protecting diversity. Regardless, a number of groups—including those against and in favor of marriage equality—said they opposed Hurwitz’s decision to put her on leave, saying that McCaskill had a right to support seeing same-sex marriage be voted on. On November 6, 52 percent of Maryland voters endorsed marriage equality.