A group of 33 former students from across the nation has joined together in a class-action lawsuit against the Department of Education. The reason: the group argues that Liberty University, among other religious colleges, discriminates against LGBTQ students. The suit further argues that Liberty and other religious institutions like it violate Title IX of the US Constitution.
“I wanted to do my part in this lawsuit because I wanted Liberty, and all these other schools, to treat their queer students the same way that they treat everyone else,” Lucas Wilson, a gay man, told WSLS News. Wilson is one of the former students joining the Religious Exemption Accountability Project in the lawsuit.
“[These universities] see [being queer] as, without question, a negative and detrimental practice,” he added.
In the same interview, Wilson went on to claim that Liberty University, which he attended from 2008 to 2012, ostensibly “welcomes” LGBTQ students, only to shame and discriminate against them in public. That includes forced community service, fines or forced conversion therapy programs.
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That homophobia, according to the lawsuit, doesn’t stop with faculty, either.
“Students at Liberty behave in homophobic and anti-queer ways because they know they can do so with relative impunity,” one of the plaintiffs, McKenzie McCann, a former Liberty student says in the complaint. “Liberty’s culture enables such conduct and makes students feel like Liberty is backing them.”
Related: Disgraced pastor and noted cuck Jerry Falwell Jr. sues Liberty University over ousting
“What we’re asking is the department be allowed to do its job and investigate discrimination complaints that are filed by LGBT kids instead of just closing them when there’s a religious exemption asserted,” said Paul Southwick, the lawyer representing the Religious Exemption Accountability Project. “The government is actually giving its stamp of approval to the discrimination through its federal funding. That is a violation of the due process rights and equal protection rights of LGBTQ students. The Supreme Court has made clear that the government can no longer treat gay people in a manner that fails to recognize their dignity as human beings.”
President Biden recently signed an executive order declaring that Title IX extends full anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ people in education. That order, however, contains a religious exemption. The Religious Exemption Accountability Project hopes that by suing, the courts will define just how far that exemption goes when it comes to the treatment of queer students.
In addition to Liberty University, the suit names other noted religious universities and colleges including Indiana Wesleyan, Bob Jones, The Moody Bible Institute, Brigham Young, Azusa Pacific and Colorado Christian, among others. It’s important to note that these institutions are not named as defendants in the suit; rather, they are named in hopes of bringing their practices to light within the courts.
“What I hope this lawsuit does is that it starts a conversation and that both sides are willing to listening; that we’re not out here making noise simply to make noise,” Lucas Wilson said.
At the time of this writing, Liberty University has not issued a comment on the lawsuit. Last year, the university became the center of a scandal involving former President Jerry Fallwell, Jr. over his misappropriation of funds and his & his wife Becki’s sexual liaisons with students.
Fahd
My heart goes out to gay people who find themselves in the position of having to attend Liberty University or any of these other religious schools. It´s got to be family pressures or just a lack of self-knowledge, self-esteem or resources. Bringing attention to what goes on at these backward institutions is very helpful in promoting change.
geb1966
No one HAS to go there or any other religious school. I was raised Baptist in the South and pressured to go away to a Christian college, but I had stood my ground. Was it easy, no. Did I get a lot fo shit for not bowing to the pressure, yes, but I knew it wasn’t for me.
Although, when I visited friends who went away, I almost regretted it. LOL The three major ones I visited were crawling with young homos.
Cam
If that school accepts anything from the government, grants, tax credits, etc. then it should have to abide by public laws against discrimination.
If they want to discriminate, they’re welcome to stop taking all that sweet government money.
shanfrina
… As a Gay BYU Grad in Broadcast Journalism, I totally agree with the Lawsuit!
– When I was a Student in Provo, Utah, the Mormon “Church” ? allowed Aversion-Shock Therapy for willing Gay Students, pressured into the Sessions. At the Joseph Smith Jr. Living Center Bldg. Where I took Latin Classes!
… Knew a fellow Gay Student, from My Hometown Area of Bflo., NY. He went through that Barbaric treatment! Was never the same. Couldn’t respond to Men or Women afterwards. Tried to commit Suicide many Times!
– After numerous Lawsuits & Bad ? PR/Publicity, the “Faith” finally moved the “Practice” Off-Campus. But, destroyed so many Gay Lives. They must be held accountable!!!
HenryHawke
Exactly! Believe anything you want. You can even worship bellybutton lint for all I care. But if you seek to impose your beliefs on others and want government money to do it, you’re trampling on my religious freedom! If they want to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, fine. I’m not going to stop you. Just be honest and admit that people from that community are NOT welcome and they will be pressured to attend the discredited conversion therapy classes and don’t expect to receive government funds to do it. It’s really that simple!
szkc2025
As a graduate of a conservative Christian College, I chose to attend while I struggled with my sexuality. I didn’t officially come out until after graduation. Twenty years later, I wouldn’t change anything because my challenges made me who I am.
This said, I don’t think any college or university (or church for that matter) should receive government funds or exemptions if they harm LGBTQ in any form.