Chase Martinson took a break from his studies at Hannibal-LaGrange University to manage some personal issues, but after reapplying and being accepted, he found himself rejected from the school after he came out via Facebook.
According to The Riverfront Times, Martinson was rejected by HLGU in a letter reminding him that admission was open “to academically and morally qualified” students.
He was then directed in the letter to reread the school’s Student Life Guidelines, and found out that said guidelines aren’t exactly waving the rainbow flag of acceptance for gay students. Pages 20 and 27 reference the school’s rules for “sexual impropriety” and forbid “homosexual activities” as well as even appearing to be gay.
We’re not really sure what that means, but we think it entails wearing skinny jeans and tank tops during warm weather. And Lady Gaga concerts. Lots and lots of Lady Gaga concerts.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Either way, Martinson won’t be at HLGU to figure it out, as he’s decided to enroll at the University of Missouri-St. Louis instead.
“There’s really nothing I can do. It’s just really sad. I have no desire to go back to that school.”
As a private school, HLGU is unfortunately within their rights to make the decision. Missouri state law doesn’t protect students from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and it is still legal in Missouri to fire someone for being gay.
You know what it’s going to take to end discrimination like this? Passing ENDA.
Martinson’s story is just another example of the million different ways LGBT people can be discriminated against without these protections.
And just think: all of this could be ended with the swipe of a pen.
Caleb in SC
No, it all cannot be ended with the mere swipe of a pen. If President Obama were to issue an executive order to do what ENDA is designed to do, it would only affect the federal government, not state government and certainly not private institutions. Seriously, do your research before you write something like this.
alterego1980
He will undoubtedly have more fun and an all around better life at a, non-religious (non-oppressive) school.
keepcalm
The author of this article obviously has no clue as to what the ENDA is.
keepcalm
@Caleb in SC: I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who pointed this out.
Merv
It’s a Southern Baptist college in Missouri, so I’m not sure what he was expecting. ENDA would probably not cover this situation, since it only covers employment, and has lots of religious exemptions.
Cam
The issue where these schools usually get themselves into trouble is that they put a bad mark on the transcripts saying they were kicked out or denied reentry because of violations and then won’t provide their transcripts.
The courts have crushed them for that over and over but they never learn.
SteveDenver
Having attended a religious college myself, I can attest that such institutions are havens for closet cases hoping to beef-up their smokescreen. Having an actual out gay student jeopardizes their cover. I hope he’s able to completely shed the superstition and mythology, and find joy in living THIS LIFE, not rehearsing for some “life after death” fable.
D9W
If the school is using financial aid from the government then they have to comply with rules of the federal government. Else they can lose all their financial aid. Yeah, I know there is nothing yet in the federal law to prevent this now, but if it was this school could be sued over it.
BTW- @Cam – Good point.
oldbrit
Kid, they did you a favor. Run as fast as you can to a real university where they value education over hate and bigotry masquerading as stupefying, fake morality.
http://t.co/r0uVQZRDox
Will L
While I’m not saying the school’s policy is right, why are you are going to this school if you are gay. This is like those teachers in Catholic schools who are SHOCKED they they are dismissed when they come out or marry.
Also, as flaming gay as this guy looks, I can’t help but wonder what “personal issues” he took off to manage.
Adam
If you would like to give them a piece of your mind, you can do so on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HLGuniversity
keepcalm
@Merv: It only covers the federal sector (government jobs), not private institutions. I wish the author would correct this article. It’s an incredibly ignorant closing statement.
Shannon1981
Gay kids should know better than to go to religious colleges. I get that at times, they don’t have a choice, due to parents paying for the education and forcing them to go. What we need is a fund/organization that caters to gay kids getting out into the world, to give them a fighting chance without having to suffer for four more years after a likely hellish high school career at these nutjob, bigoted institutions that try to pass themselves off as colleges.
Billy Budd
This is a shame. Americans should feel ashamed. Here in Brazil there is a lot of homophobic bullying by kids, but no student has ever been evicted because of being gay.
Patrick
WOW…I was not aware that in 2014, in the USA, this type of policy still existed! We, as a global community, are at different stages when it comes to achieving and defending our basic “human rights”. I am Canadian and even though we aren’t perfect and we still have a long way to go this type educational access discrimination would not be tolerated.
Shannon1981
@Patrick: In the Bible Belt of the USA, anything goes. Hell, the ACLU just had to sue a PUBLIC SCHOOL in Louisiana because they were pushing Christianity in a science class, with questions on quizzes and tests like “This is what the _______ has made,” with the correct answer being “The Lord.” The teacher involved also bullied and ridiculed a student of Buddhist faith.
So, something like this is no surprise at all.