Arabic Lecturer Uri Horesh began a hunger strike Monday in response to his denied complaint against the University’s non-discrimination policy, which does not include health benefits for same-sex couples.

As of Jan. 1, the University of Michigan started offering some health benefits to employees and other qualified adults who have shared a residence for six months. This policy circumvents Michigan laws regarding same-sex marriage, which fueled Horesh’s complaints against UT.

Horesh said he sent an e-mail to the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement in December and one on Monday about the strike, but has not received a response. Horesh said he will quietly abstain from eating until the policy is changed.

“I’m taking the responsibility on this somewhat creative idea whereby I could keep on doing my job until I may or may not be able to do it if something happened,” Horesh said. “I can wear my rainbow-colored longhorn T-shirt or wear my little button, but who gives a damn about that? Maybe this would make more of an impact.”