Janice Lozano
Liberty University, a Christian university founded by televangelist Jerry Falwell, has a history of being hostile to LGBTQ+ students. The university's honor code, known as The Liberty Way, includes a Statement on Sexuality and Relationships that forbids sexual relations outside of a biblically-ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman. While Liberty University does not explicitly discriminate against students based on sexual orientation, its policies and practices create an unwelcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. The university has been criticized for its anti-LGBTQ+ stance, with some students reporting that they felt they had to remain closeted during their time at the university. However, there are also reports of underground groups and support networks for queer students within the university community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Discrimination on basis of sexual orientation | The College of Osteopathic Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation but does so with regard to sexual conduct that undermines the University's Christian mission. |
| Discrimination on other bases | The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, or military veteran status. |
| LGBTQ+ students | The University is considered hostile to LGBTQ+ students. |
| Support for LGBTQ+ students | There are some support networks for LGBTQ+ students, including an underground group of queer students. |
| Official stance on LGBTQ+ rights | The University upholds an honor code called The Liberty Way, which prohibits statements and behaviors associated with LGBTQ+ identities. |
| Punishment for violating The Liberty Way | Violating The Liberty Way can result in a $300 fine, 30 hours of community service, or expulsion. |
| Official stance on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy | The University offers pastoral counseling, which students assume is conversion therapy in disguise. |
| Official stance on same-sex marriage | The University only sanctions sexuality within heterosexual marriage. |
| Official stance on LGBTQ+ pride symbols | Displaying LGBTQ+ pride symbols, such as wearing a pride flag on campus, is not allowed. |
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What You'll Learn
Liberty University's stance on LGBTQ+ students
Liberty University, founded in 1971 by Southern Baptist televangelist Jerry Falwell, has long been known for its conservative reputation and anti-LGBTQ+ stance. The university maintains a Christian mission and reserves the right to discriminate based on religion to align with its religious objectives.
The university's honor code, known as The Liberty Way, outlines a set of accepted and forbidden behaviours for students, including a statement on sexuality and relationships. While the code does not explicitly mention LGBTQ+ individuals, it enforces a traditional view of sexual conduct, stating that "sexual relations outside of a biblically-ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman are not permissible." This effectively prohibits same-sex relationships and any "statements or behaviours associated with LGBT states of mind," such as romantic displays of affection between same-sex couples or using pronouns inconsistent with one's birth sex.
The university has been criticised for creating a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students, with reports of students fearing expulsion or punishment for their sexuality. The university has also been accused of offering "pastoral counselling," which some students believe is a form of conversion therapy aimed at suppressing their LGBTQ+ identity.
Despite the university's stance, there are reports of an underground LGBTQ+ community on campus, with students connecting and supporting each other. Some students have shared their experiences of navigating life as an LGBTQ+ individual at Liberty University, indicating a level of acceptance among certain peers. However, the overall culture and policies of the university present significant challenges for LGBTQ+ students, leading to feelings of secrecy and isolation.
While Liberty University does not explicitly ban LGBTQ+ students from attending, its policies and practices create an unwelcoming and potentially harmful environment for those who do not conform to the prescribed heterosexual and cisgender norms. The university's commitment to its religious objectives often comes at the expense of the freedom and well-being of its LGBTQ+ student population.
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The student experience
Liberty University, founded in 1971 by Southern Baptist televangelist Jerry Falwell, has long been known for its conservative reputation and Christian values. The university's honour code, The Liberty Way, outlines a set of acceptable and forbidden behaviours, including prohibitions on drinking alcohol and premarital sex. Notably, The Liberty Way also includes a Statement on Sexuality and Relationships, which defines sexual relations as only permissible within a "biblically-ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman". While the code does not explicitly mention sexual orientation, it does ban "statements and behaviours associated with LGBT states of mind", effectively prohibiting same-sex romantic displays of affection and the use of pronouns or facilities inconsistent with one's birth sex.
For LGBTQ+ students at Liberty University, the experience can be challenging and isolating. Students who violate The Liberty Way's highest level of offence, which includes the Statement on Sexuality and Relationships, may face expulsion, fines, or community service. As a result, many LGBTQ+ students feel they must remain closeted or underground to avoid punishment and graduate. Some students have reported feeling unsafe to come out, while others have shared that the university is not an affirming or uplifting place for queer individuals.
However, there are also LGBTQ+ students who have found support and community within the university. Some students have expressed that while there may be some individuals who do not accept their sexual orientation, the majority of the student body is fine with it. Additionally, there are LGBTQ+ students who are willing to connect and offer support to others navigating a similar experience.
Liberty University's policies and culture have shifted over time, becoming more overtly political with the endorsement of figures like Donald Trump. The university has also been criticised for its history of inflammatory statements about the gay community, made by both its founder and subsequent leaders. Despite this, the university maintains its Christian mission and reserves its right to discriminate on the basis of religion, citing its religious objectives.
While Liberty University does not explicitly ban LGBTQ+ students from attending, the experience for those students can be difficult and fraught with fear of expulsion or punishment. The existence of underground support groups and a slow shift in culture suggest a potential evolution in the university's stance, but the current student experience for LGBTQ+ individuals remains challenging.
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The Liberty Way code of conduct
Liberty University does not discriminate based on race, colour, ancestry, religion, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, or military veteran status. However, the university maintains its Christian mission and reserves the right to discriminate on the basis of religion. The College of Osteopathic Medicine furthers the university's religious mission by using religion-based criteria in hiring. The college accepts the teaching of the traditional biblical view regarding sexual conduct outside of marriage between a man and a woman.
The Liberty Way, the student honour code, reflects the university's mission to develop Christ-centred individuals with the knowledge, skills, and values to make a difference in the world. The values of integrity, respect, and responsibility support the biblical foundations of the university's commitment to "Train Champions for Christ!". Students are expected to read, understand, and abide by the expectations outlined in The Liberty Way.
The university's Department of Social Work upholds the core values of "service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry" in interactions with faculty, staff, and students.
While the university does not explicitly prohibit LGBTQ+ students, its religious objectives and code of conduct are based on traditional biblical views of marriage and sexual conduct. Some students have reported feeling the need to stay closeted during their time at the university, while others have shared that there are many students who are accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals.
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The College of Osteopathic Medicine's stance
The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Liberty University does not discriminate based on an individual's professed sexual orientation. However, the college reserves the right to discriminate based on any accompanying sexual conduct or actions that contradict the University's Christian mission. The college upholds the biblical view of sexual conduct, which permits sexual relations only within a marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine considers personal history and fitness to practice medicine in its admissions and retention decisions. Students must comply with the Technical Standards to qualify for the college's programs, but accommodations can be requested, and decisions can be appealed.
These rule changes have led to fears of expulsion among LGBTQ+ students and concerns about the University's commitment to freedom of speech and expression. The University's honor code, known as The Liberty Way, has been criticized for imposing fines, community service, or even expulsion for violating the Statement on Sexuality and Relationships.
Overall, while the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Liberty University does not explicitly discriminate based on sexual orientation, its interpretation of religious teachings and enforcement of conduct standards that align with its Christian mission have been perceived as unwelcoming and discriminatory towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
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The Department of Social Work's stance
The Department of Social Work at Liberty University is committed to the core values and competencies of the Social Work profession as outlined in the current Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) document. The department upholds the core values of "service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry" in interactions with faculty, staff, and students.
The Department of Social Work at Liberty University does not engage in unlawful discrimination or harassment based on race, colour, ancestry, religion, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, or military veteran status in its educational programs and activities. The university maintains its Christian mission and reserves the right to discriminate on the basis of religion as per applicable laws that respect its right to act in accordance with its religious objectives.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine, for example, does not use religion-based criteria in student admissions but expects its students to abide by its Code of Conduct, which includes the biblical view of sexual conduct. The university's non-discrimination policy also states that it does not engage in unlawful discrimination or harassment based on various factors, including sex, but it does not specifically mention sexual orientation.
While the Department of Social Work does not explicitly mention its stance on gay students, its commitment to social justice, human rights, and non-discrimination suggests a more inclusive approach. However, the university's overall stance on LGBTQ+ students, as evidenced by its recent rule changes and historical context, indicates a less welcoming environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Liberty University does not discriminate based on race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, or military veteran status. However, it maintains its Christian mission and reserves the right to discriminate based on religion. The College of Osteopathic Medicine at Liberty University further states that it does not discriminate based on sexual orientation but may do so based on sexual conduct that undermines its Christian mission. The university has a strict honor code called The Liberty Way, which prohibits statements and behaviors associated with LGBTQ+ identities and mandates that sexual relations only occur within a heterosexual marriage. Students who violate this code can be fined, given community service, or expelled.
Liberty University has a reputation for being conservative and hostile towards LGBTQ+ students. The university was founded by televangelist Jerry Falwell, known for his inflammatory statements against the gay community. While some students are accepting, others are not, and there is a fear of expulsion based on sexuality or gender identity.
There is an underground group of queer students at Liberty University, which had about 133 members in an online group as of 2020.
The Liberty Way prohibits romantic displays of affection with a member of the same sex, such as hand-holding, kissing, or dating. It also prohibits actions that deny biological birth sex, such as using pronouns or restrooms inconsistent with one's birth sex.
Liberty University offers "pastoral counseling," which students assume is conversion therapy aimed at suppressing LGBTQ+ identities. The university also requires all students to attend a mandatory thrice-weekly chapel service, which has featured speakers known for their conservative views.
