Sexual Orientation Based Discrimination
The University of Missouri prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (e.g. lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual, etc.). It is against University policy to treat a person differently from others because of that person’s sexual orientation, or to exclude a person from participation in, or deny a person the benefits of, a University program or activity on that basis.
Neither federal nor Missouri civil rights laws consider sexual orientation to be a protected non-discrimination category. However, sexual harassment protection generally applies regardless of the sex or sexual orientation of the parties.
Hostile Environment Sexual Orientation Harassment
The University will not tolerate the creation or existence of an environment that is hostile on the basis of sexual orientation. Such a hostile environment is defined as harassing conduct (e.g., physical, verbal, graphic or written) related to sexual orientation that is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent so as to:
- interfere with or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the University’s programs and activities or
- unreasonably interfere with an individual’s work or academic performance by creating an objectively intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or learning environment.
Whether the harassing conduct is considered severe, persistent or pervasive depends upon the context in which the behavior occurred.