Stuff
Pepperdine University Gay Straight Alliance Denied To Students
So when two girls were issued suspensions for kissing during my school’s talent show, it was the GSA who stepped in and reminded the deans and teachers that they should reconsider that call because of the message it sent queer students.
Unfortunately, some kids at Pepperdine University, not too far from where my own high school GSA originated, have been denied that opportunity. The administrators have said a resounding “no” to acknowledging “Reach OUT”, a gay-straight alliance as an official club at the university because they “cannot take a neutral position on sexual morality.”
Dean of Students Mark Davis released a statement in the student newspaper explaining their reasons, specifically “honoring the biblical conviction that sexual activity should be reserved for a husband-wife relationship.” He is quoted in the LA Weekly blog as saying:
“Pepperdine seeks to be faithful to this teaching because we believe it is God’s will,” Davis said, “and therefore we cannot endorse another view or take a neutral position on sexual morality. Although Reach OUT stated in its application that it has no position on sexual activity, we do not believe it is possible for a LGBT student organization to maintain a neutral position.”
Simone Wilson writes that the university already has a committee developed by the administration called “Building Bridges,” which addresses LGBTQ issues. So I suppose one gay-ish group is the cap for Pepperdine students, as who knows what multiple groups committed to tolerance might produce on campus.