Amid strong starts from Pepperdine University’s basketball teams, two female players are noticeably absent from the women’s roster.
Former Pepperdine women’s basketball players Haley Videckis and Layana White filed a civil lawsuit in late December 2014 against the university and coach Ryan Weisenberg, claiming harassment and discrimination by the coach based on their sexual orientation. The players alleged that along with coaches, an athletic coordinator became obsessed with finding out if they were lesbians.
After months of alleged harassment, White said she attempted suicide and both players left Pepperdine.
On Thursday, Feb. 5, supporters held signs and marched near the campus to protest inequality at the university.
Protest organizer Brandon White was inspired to fight for his sister Layana after he heard her crying during a phone call.
Soon after the call, Brandon began organizing the rally to fight for his sister’s rights and to inform the public about Pepperdine’s actions.
“She was the first person to go to college in our family,” Brandon White said. “She had one semester more before she graduated and that was ripped away from her because of her sexual orientation.”
Pepperdine students and friends of the players joined the protest to support the women and other LGBT students after hearing about the lawsuit against the university.
“We went to the same private Catholic high school,” Pepperdine student Mari Aguila said.
“They [Bellarmine-Jefferson High School] knew there were LGBT students, and they never did anything like this, so it was very surprising to me to see Pepperdine‘s reaction. That’s why I’m here. No matter what Pepperdine’s view is on LGBT students, I just want to support Layana and show them that it wasn’t the right response.”
Attempts to reach Pepperdine were unsuccessful, and the school issued this statement in December: “We take allegations of this kind very seriously. We conducted an immediate and thorough investigation and found no evidence to support these claims. The University remains committed to a diverse and inclusive environment.”
Videckis and Layana White were not present at the protest.
