While private Christian schools are not legally bound to recognize groups that they find to conflict with their faith traditions, Christian universities across the country have been wrestling with the status of LGBT groups. Schools with Church of Christ affiliations and those from other Christian traditions have seen LGBT student groups asking for recognition but often have retained sexual relationship statements in their student handbooks similar to Pepperdine’s and decided against granting official club recognition. Such schools generally consider both homosexual and heterosexual activity outside of marriage unacceptable.
* Loyola Marymount University
LMU has an LGBT office, including a Gay Straight Alliance club. LMU is a Catholic Jesuit-affiliated university.
Handbook: Does not mention homosexual or heterosexual acts.
* Oklahoma Christian University
Students advocating or practicing “homosexual lifestyles on campus” are required to receive professional counseling. Refusal is “cause for immediate dismissal.”
Handbook: “OC believes the Bible and believes that the Bible does not recognize homosexual lifestyles as an acceptable human behavior.”
* Abilene Christian University
The New York Times profiled an openly gay student facing vague prohibitions against “homosexual behavior” at ACU. A Gay-Straight Alliance group was denied official recognition.
Handbook: “Sexual immorality, including pre-marital sex (heterosexual and homosexual activity)” is a category three violation, subject to strong sanctions.
* Baylor University
In 2007, six people were arrested for “chalking,” a way of spreading LGBT issues with sidewalk chalk. Sexual Identity Forum was denied for a charter twice. The dean of student development explained such a group would conflict with Baylor’s Christian mission.
Handbook: States “homosexual acts” are grounds for sanction and “misuses of God’s gift.”
* Harding University
The Arkansas school blocked a student zine called “State of the Gay” on the campus network, spurring national debate.
Handbook: “[S]exual relationships are unacceptable to God outside of marriage. Sexual immorality in any form will result in suspension from the University.”
* Wheaton College
An alumni-based LGBT advocacy group, the unofficial OneWheaton, was created for “students that feel isolated during their time at Wheaton.”
Handbook: Under a Sexual Misconduct Policy, sexual activity of any kind outside of marriage is grounds for serious sanctions.
