A UND choir director who is being fired for allegedly failing to maintain professional boundaries with students says he is being targeted because he's gay.

Anthony Reeves, an assistant music professor, said he believes his firing is related to his attempt to adopt a 19-year-old student who said his parents disowned him for being gay.

Reeves, in his third year at UND, will appeal the move to dismiss him at a hearing to be held at 3 p.m. today in the second floor of UND's Memorial Union. If necessary, the hearing will continue through Tuesday starting at noon.

His attorney, Henry Howe, said he expects about 25 choir members, faculty and other students of the nontenured teacher to testify in support of him.

"The university was careful not to say it's because I'm gay, but my attorney thinks it's because of that," Reeves told the Herald on Sunday evening.

University officials said Reeves violated the faculty harassment policy by making sexually based and demeaning comments to students, according to a letter Reeves received the first day of class this year.

In a personnel evaluation dated Oct. 18, music department officials said Reeves is inconsistent as a conductor and teacher, and his recruitment efforts fell below expectations. Reeves denies the allegations.

Martha Potvin, dean of arts and sciences, notified Reeves by letter on the first day of class about the university's intention to fire him. Reeves was placed on paid leave pending the outcome. He has since started two independent choirs formed by students.

"They are singing in their own time in addition to their requirements at school, and they are not getting credit for it. That's a huge statement that they believe in me," he said.

At least two students and one parent have complained about Reeves. It prompted an investigation by Affirmative Action Officer Sally Page. A university report does not include details about the complaints but alleges that Reeves was drunk during a 10-day choir trip to Europe last May and abandoned some of his responsibilities - statements he denies. Page declined comment.

Most choir members knew Reeves was gay. Choir member Philip Letvin, who is now 20, confided in Reeves about his own sexuality and the struggle it sparked with his parents. After Letvin told his parents in March that he had a boyfriend, they kicked him out of the house and changed the locks, Letvin said. His mother, Christine Letvin, said her son moved out of the house voluntarily.

Reeves and his partner gave Philip Letvin money, food and a place to stay. Reeves said he could relate to the student's situation because he had a similar experience with his own parents.

Reeves and his partner explored the possibility of adopting Letvin because of advantages such as health insurance and parental rights in making life-and-death decisions. Letvin, who said adult adoption is common in the gay community, said he wants Reeves to adopt him because they feel like a family.

A judge denied the adoption petition in October, Letvin said. In court papers, Letvin's parents said the judge thought Reeves "exercised undue influence over Letvin to get him to consent to adoption."

University documents also say Reeves failed to notify the music department of his relationship with Letvin. Reeves said he sent an e-mail to department chairman Towne about the relationship.

UND's faculty handbook says it discourages romantic relationships between professors and students. It does not include a policy about professors and students living together.

"I think the university has concerns about potential bad publicity," Howe said. "It looks like they're making up some excuses to justify saying goodbye."

The five-member faculty committee hearing Reeves' appeal today will make a recommendation to UND President Charles Kupchella, who will make the final decision.

Reeves said he is confident he'll be reinstated. But if fired, he would move to another state and reconsider adopting Letvin. One of his many obstacles would be that in many states adult adoption is not recognized, he said.

Reeves, who has been with his boyfriend for 23 years, said he tried to adopt Letvin alone because the chances of it being approved were greater than if they applied as a same sex couple.

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