Same-sex relationships banned

Azusa Pacific University reinstates ban on same-sex relationships, USD weighs in

Amy Inkrott / News Editor / The USD Vista

Recently, the University of San Diego has become more supportive of its LGBTQ+ students. Eighteen years ago the Board of Trustees approved the addition of “sexual orientation” to the school’s non-discrimination policy. Today, PRIDE holds a space in the SLP Commons and hosts numerous events around campus. 

However, this supportive environment is not found at some other universities across the country. Azusa Pacific University (APU), an evangelical Christian university, recently reinstated a ban on same-sex relationships on their campus. 

For junior Annabel Gong, USD has always been a welcoming and supportive place for members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

“I have found a place, both organized and with friends, where I feel comfortable being myself,” Gong said. “As I have spent more time at USD, I feel like I have expanded that space for myself and have welcomed other LGBTQ+ members into my space.”

Although not an active member within PRIDE, Gong has found this group to be essential to the LGBTQ+ community on campus. 

“I made sure to check that an organization like PRIDE existed before confirming that I would attend USD, mainly because I knew religious schools may hold more conservative values,” Gong said. “The presence of an LGBTQ+ organization made me feel more welcome on campus.”

Recently, Gong has shared their personal story with the USD community through My Story, a program hosted by the Changemaker Hub. At the event, students share about an experience they have had in order to foster a sense of empathy and a respect for diversity throughout the community. But despite having a generally supportive campus community that was receptive to their story, Gong has not seen many openly gay couples at USD. 

“I have seen zero gay couples on campus,” Gong said. “When I have a significant other on campus, I don’t feel unsafe; however, after doing my My Story talk, I do feel a little more vulnerable. Everyone knows I’m gay and can’t pass as a more heterosexual couple if I were to hold hands with a girl.”

However, USD differs from other religious schools as there are not restrictions on how students choose to display their romantic relationships, regardless of sexual preference. This is not the case for students at APU. 

In late September, APU students stood in solidarity with their school’s LGBTQ+ students. A sea of rainbow pride flags flooded the campus courtyard as students protested the recent change to the student handbook. At the beginning of the school year, the university had lifted its ban on same-sex relationships. However, this ban was reinstated last month, prompting numerous protests and debates about the value of same-sex relationships on Christian college campuses. 

Before this fall, same-sex relationships had always been prohibited at APU. The school founded this ban on a series of biblical passages. Referencing the book of Genesis, the university maintained that sexual relations are only to occur between a man and a woman within the bonds of marriage. Because of this, the school has prohibited any form of physical intimacy outside of marriage, regardless of sexual preferences. However, the expression of romanticized heterosexual relationships was permitted on campus. 

In the past, APU’s Christian foundations have led it to exclude any expression of the LGBTQ+ identifications. Haven, a club representing members of the LGBTQ+ community, served as an underground support group for many years. The group had been denied official status as it went against the values expressed by the university. The club was not permitted to advertise its meetings or gather on campus. The times and locations of Haven’s events were only spread by the students themselves.

At the start of the fall semester, however, this standard was reversed. In addition to lifting the relationship ban, APU’s Student Government advocated for the formation of a designated safe space for the school’s LGBTQ+ students. The new program promised to establi a formal partnership with the Haven organization, and provide educational outreach opportunities across their campus community. 

However, on Sept. 28, the APU Board of Trustees released a statement to the campus community, opting to reinstate the ban on same-sex relationships.

“Last week, reports circulated about a change in the undergraduate student standards of conduct,” the statement said. “That action concerning romanticized relationships was never approved by the board and the original wording has been reinstated.”

While the decision to lift the relationship ban was supported by members of APU’s student government and administrative board, the Board of Trustees had not been notified. Members of the board intend that APU remain “biblical and orthodox” in its Christian identity. 

Gong was shocked by the board’s decision. 

“It is hard for me to imagine a school in California that has these ideals,” Gong said. “It is a harsh reality check, that we have an awfully long way to go.”

This commitment to religious identity is not dissimilar to that of USD’s donors. For the past few years, USD’s Supreme Drag Superstar has angered some of the school’s alumni and donors who believe that the event contradicts the school’s Catholic values. However, at the moment, it is unlikely that the school will implement policies similar to that of APU. 

Gong believes that the Torero community will support them and other members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

“I think our student body is supportive of gay rights and would respond with protest,” Gong said. “As a Changemaker campus we should strive to make the world a more welcoming place, especially if that starts on our own campus.”

Given APU’s controversial ban on same-sex relationships, students are called to reflect on the ways USD has supported its LGBTQ+ community.