Being Gay at Religious Colleges
They believe that homosexuality is a sin in the eyes of God. Yet, many of the Christian and religious colleges in the USA face the dilemma of gay students enrolling and active on campus. Such is the paradox for both parties. If the schools are right, then, why allow gay students to be enrolled or remain enrolled? The schools have a right,as do the gay students. If the school receives no Federal educational funding, the school should have the final say. I mean, they will lose the enrollment from those students who are offended. Many gay students are being activists and demand that they should be accepted as anyone else. Most grew up as "normal" in their outside appearance, yet, feeling tormented inside because of their Christian homelife and now want to come out and not worry about it at college.
The power of the school lies with the revocation of the student;s grant, loan or scholarship provided by the school, which forbid any "homosexual" activities or even simple hand holding of the same sex. Posting photos on gay websites of their students is also forbidden. Even clubs talking about the subject are not allowed. This has been a typical response of most religious colleges because it is contrary to biblical teachings and beliefs of the college. When students created a website on the college's computer network, access was blocked.
The administration often asks the gay student why did you pick a religious school where you know the beliefs are polar opposites. It is a valid question. Why select some place where you know there will be a problem? Just to be confrontational about how everyone should accept you with open arms? The student responses are: that question is unfair, or, I got a scholarship here and nowhere else, or, I didn't know I was gay until now, or, their parents thought sending them to such a school would make them "straight". Students who are gay state they have a hard life on and off campus. Those that stay stated they have switched majors or classes dealing with biblical beliefs because the systems simply do not relate well or mix.
Unlike at universities and non-religious colleges where the campus is a mix and blend of all types, the religious colleges are steadfast in being anti-gay.
