Baylor University has established an “official” group for LGBTQ students who say they require “safety,” “support,” and “resources,” though a longstanding “unofficial” group will continue to push its radical agenda inconsistent with the private Christian school’s biblical values.
“I feel like the administration got a better idea of the queer experience on campus and I feel like the students were able to get a better idea of the administration’s intentions,” said Lor Duncan, co-president of the new group called Prism, reflecting on the university’s decision to conduct “listening sessions” with students throughout the last semester.
As the Waco Tribune-Herald reported, Duncan said Prism seeks to be both a safe haven for LGBTQ individuals and an educator about LGBTQ issues for faculty, students, and school staff.
According to the report, Prism may be the “official” LGBTQ group at Baylor, but another group, which now calls itself Gamma Alpha Upsilon (GAY), has existed for at least a decade but rejects the school’s statement on human sexuality, which currently says students “will not participate in advocacy groups which promote understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching.”
The Tribune-Herald explained:
The university has changed the statement’s language over time, removing lines that described “homosexual acts” as “misuses of God’s gifts” in a category with sexual abuse and harassment.
“There are now two opportunities for LGBTQ+ students to get involved in this community, and I think that’s really awesome,” GAY President Brittany LaVergne said about Prism’s official designation.
She noted GAY will continue to address issues on campus Prism will not be permitted to speak to under Baylor’s guidelines, such as comprehensive sex education and affirmation theology.
“I feel like there’s a lot we can do in terms of learning more about how we can bring LGBTQ+ acceptance, affirmation and equality to places like Baylor,” LaVergne added.
Matt Burchett, senior director of student activities at the Waco, Texas university, said, “We have some really incredible students.”
“They’ve all been courageous and thoughtful … some of the finest young people to be on this journey with,” he added.
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Susan Berry, PhD, is national education editor at The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Baylor University Students” by Baylor University.
