[Peace] Sprout vs. Carle Foundation Hospital settled!!!

[Kimberlie Kranich]

Dear Lynn Sprout Supporters,

 

The case of Lynn Sprout vs. Carle Foundation Hospital reached its conclusion today with a confidential agreement between Carle Foundation Hospital and Lynn Sprout.  

 

In order to reach this agreement, Lynn had to withdraw her complaint before the Human Relations Commission.  The Commission’s preliminary finding last November that Carle Foundation Hospital discriminated against Lynn based on her sexual orientation is part of the public record.

 

Lynn has always wanted three things: her job back, back pay, and a policy change at the hospital. Her pursuit of justice has taken courage, stamina, and a dogged determination.

 

The Human Relations Commission, as I understand it, could have done two things in the penalty phase of the hearing:  forced Carle to give Lynn her job back and make the hospital give her back pay.

 

Lynn turned down earlier offers from the hospital to settle. She was in a stronger negotiating position this week.  She has found a job she is quite happy with and does not wish to return to Carle Foundation Hospital.

 

The policy change was not something the Commission could have forced the hospital to make. That came (and is coming) as a result of Lynn’s courage and persistence in pursing justice, the community activism around her case, and the work of some good people inside the hospital.  If any one of these was absent, there would be no policy change.

 

Look what we as a community have collectively won:

 

a)      a policy change at Carle Clinic that offers family medical leave and bereavement leave to employees in same-sex domestic partnerships

b)      upcoming changes in benefits at Carle hospital

c)      increased public awareness of the law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation

d)      a policy change at the city of Urbana that extended family medical leave and bereavement leave to employees in domestic partnerships

e)      a message to all employers in the area that discrimination based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated

 

Thank you all for nearly three years of support of Lynn Sprout and her pursuit of equality.  Without the willingness and cooperation of so many of you, none of the above would have been achieved. 

 

Thank you to Traci Nally for taking Lynn’s case and for doing so with almost no pay before the City of Urbana hired her to try the case.  

 

Thank you to Lynn for embracing the people who wanted to support her.  For her courage, love and sense of humor. And to Kathie, her partner, for standing beside Lynn and all of us.

 

I am thankful for living in this community which has such a strong sense of justice, courage and willpower and a loving spirit that has connected so many of us, one to the other.

 

Peace, hugs and kisses

 

Kimberlie Kranich

85% Coalition

 



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