irony is dead

Christian students cry “Discrimination!” after being told they can’t discriminate against gay people

Because irony is dead, members from a Christian student group say they are being discriminated against after being told by their college that they can’t discriminate against LGBTQ people. Not only that, but they’re suing!

Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC) is a student-run group at the University of Iowa that aims “to form future business leaders who will integrate their religious values such as integrity, service, and compassion into the workplace.”

In 2017, the group was told they could no longer meet on campus after posting a “statement of faith” to their website that declared openly LGBTQ students were barred from serving in leadership roles within their organization.

So they filed a lawsuit.

Last year, a judge determined BLinC had been treated unfairly. The university appealed that ruling, however, and this week, oral arguments were held at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Attorney Eric Baxter of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who represents BLinC, called the whole thing a “travesty” and  told media on Tuesday that he’s confident the students will win their case.

“The whole thing is ironic and really a ridiculous tale of how the university went out of its way to break its own rules to target this group,” Baxter said, adding that his clients were treated “like second-class citizens.”

“These students wanted to provide a space on campus where they could support one another in their faith,” Baxter continued.

The university has not issued any comment on the case.

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated