Seattle Pacific University Graduates Pressure School to Recognize Campus LGBT Group

Seattle Pacific University includes this principle in their mission statement: "Seattle Pacific will be a place that models grace-filled community and practices radical reconciliation."

But you have to wonder: is there anything graceful about telling a group of LGBT students and straight allies that they have no place on campus?

Yet that's exactly what Seattle Pacific University has done, by refusing to acknowledge a group on campus known as The Haven, which seeks to bring together LGBT students and straight students to discuss issues related to the intersection of faith and sexuality. Instead of embracing this group as a forum for students to have a safe space to gather, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the administration as Seattle Pacific University gave this student group the boot.

Perhaps Seattle Pacific should consider a tweak to their mission statement: "Seattle Pacific will be a place that models intolerance, and squashes discussion about faith and sexuality."

Perhaps not as catchy, but certainly, it seems, much more truthful to reality.

Yet what's really inspiring about this story is the reaction of not only students, but also graduates of Seattle Pacific University, who are telling administrators at the school that refusing to acknowledge LGBT students is damaging, marginalizing, and harmful to the reputation of the school. And these graduates are keeping the administration's feet to the fire.

Yesterday, a group of more than 300 alums sent a letter to Seattle Pacific University, challenging the school to open its heart and its mind to the fact that there are LGBT students on campus, and that these students deserve an opportunity to come together and have their existence recognized by the school.

"The Seattle Pacific University community respects and values SPU Haven.  We will not sit on the sidelines while LGBTQ students are consistently silenced by the leaders of our school," says a blog started by alums challenging Seattle Pacific's decision to deny recognition to The Haven.

And they are definitely not sitting on the sidelines. Scores of alums have sent their own personal letters, many of which have been reprinted on the Slog and are heartfelt testaments that while administrators at Seattle Pacific might have a problem with LGBT students, graduates from the school certainly do not. And these graduates want to see their school do better, and tear down a wall of homophobia that has been built up with regard to The Haven. Indeed, the group has been trying to get recognition from the school for years, but is consistently denied the opportunity.

If you haven't yet signed our petition to Seattle Pacific University, urging the school to reverse its decision and to recognize The Haven as a part of its campus, please do so here. More than 1,300 folks have sent emails, showing solidarity with the LGBT students and straight allies on campus looking to create a safe space for all. How long can the administration hide without responding to the massive amount of activism going on around this issue?

Photo credit: waucm.org