Yes, indeed, we are everywhere. And, yes, we are even at private religious colleges like Pepperdine University and University of Notre Dame -- and why shouldn't we?
This week Pepperdine University once again denied a request by its LGBT students to create a support group called "ReachOUT." This was the fourth time LGBT students tried to establish such a group at the private university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The Dean of Students, Mark Davis, said that the organization would conflict with the school's religious teachings on sexual morality and did not "believe it is possible for a LGBT student organization to maintain a neutral position."
Since 2007 the University of Notre Dame has also repeatedly refused to allow a gay/straight alliance on campus and has denied efforts by LGBT and ally students to add sexual orientation to the campus nondiscrimination clause. The Catholic university historically has held the opinion that having a group or adding the clause would conflict with the core beliefs of the church and "may not allow us to distinguish between sexual orientation and behavior, which is a distinction that we must maintain as a Catholic university."
These outright denials and history of exclusion would be enough for many LGBT students to not attend Pepperdine or Notre Dame. But for others, their choice of college may not be that simple. Faith is a part of many of our lives, and colleges that are religiously affiliated need to understand that LGBT people come from all religious backgrounds.
As private colleges, Pepperdine University and University of Notre Dame do have the right to deny a gay-straight alliance from forming on campus. The campuses also have the right to not pass LGBT-inclusive policies. However, the fact that these universities are home to out LGBT-identified students and a community of allies can no longer be ignored.
With visibility comes a moral responsibility for administrators to create a safe learning environment, regardless of sexual or gender identity. Public and private colleges are held responsible for the safety of all their students. It is not a surprise that the LGBT and ally students at both Pepperdine and Notre Dame give their negative experiences of bias and prejudice as reasons for forming a student group on campus. Ignoring these anti-LGBT incidents will only hurt the university and its students.
In 2010 Campus Pride reported in the "State of Higher Education for LGBT People" that nearly a quarter of LGB (and an even a greater percentage of transgender) students, faculty, and staff encounter harassment and discrimination on their campuses across the country. The percentage is even higher for religiously affiliated campuses.
Despite the failed attempts, University of Notre Dame's LGBT and ally students believe "the support is there." Recently, the students formed a new ally initiative titled the "4 to 5 Movement." The goal is to get the majority of the college students, at least 4 out of 5, to speak up in support of the rights of LGBT people on campus. The initiative is built on the notion that 4 out of 5 college-age students (18 to 30 years old) support the general civil rights package for LGBT people.
There is hope in these numbers. The UCLA Higher Education Institute recently reported that in 2011 a record-breaking 71.3 percent of the new students support same-sex marriage, and 42.8 percent of conservative freshman agree that gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry. The annual survey looks at more than 200,000 freshmen annually, and the numbers in support of gays and lesbians have only increased over the years.
I commend the LGBT and ally students at both Pepperdine University and University of Notre Dame for not giving up, despite the challenges posed by administrators. Faith empowers us to believe in something greater than ourselves. Your faith is strong and, on behalf of Campus Pride, I thank you for your courage and leadership.
Pepperdine University, University of Notre Dame, and other private, religiously affiliated colleges need to do the right thing. All students deserve support and safety at college. It is time to recognize your LGBT students as part of your faith community.
Follow Shane L. Windmeyer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ShaneWindmeyer
You are remiss in thinking ND turns a completely blind eye to its LGBTQ population. Its not a GSA, and no one would deny ND has a long way to go,but even you have to acknowledge it is a step in the right direction. By the way, a poll of my children's college aged friends has revealed that even though many of their campuses have official, college sanctioned LGBTQ organizations, many are shunned by the school's general population. Sad but true.
The 4 to 5 Movement will promote this petition as an important show of support for our initiatives at Notre Dame. For more information, please visit http://blogs.nd.edu/psa/4-to-5-movement/.
Religion--any religion--is what it is.
Why would anyone fight to be accepted by a hateful, sexist group of people who believe in magic over science and reality? If you truly believe in that stupid magic, I don't care who you sleep with or what parts you wish to trade in: you're wrong. If tomorrow the Catholic Church decided priests could be male or female and marry and anyone could take the Sacraments it still wouldn't make their particular God real.
You're tilting at windmills that don't even exist.
Do not go to these schools. Do not send them money. They deserve nothing. Their academic standing should also be downgraded. Furthermore, these institutions should no longer be touted as good schools.
I don't think it's "extreme" to expect to be treated as an equal citizen.
The world isn't black and white.
Get a little experience, young Jedi.
Idealism is a phase. Pragmatism will serve you better into your golden years.
ANSWER: Because, they do not want you. And, as private institutions they are free to screw you in any way they want any time they want. Frankly, no matter that you may be a LGBT person with a faith in some theology, it would be foolish to attend Pepperdine or ND or others of their ilk.
The loss is only to Pepperdine, ND, etc. You owe them nothing -- they certainly demonstrate that they believe they owe you nothing.
So, take your tuition money and your brilliance and your creativity and your talents and go to a place that welcomes you and to hell with Pepperdine and ND.
One correction -- The gay-straight alliance at Notre Dame has been denied recognition since before 1995.