Dear faculty, staff, and administration of Lexington Theological Seminary:
We write with deep love for God, the Church, and LTS. Out of gratitude for the
transformative love we have felt from all three of those places, we feel
compelled to speak up, as that is at risk.
We, as members of the current student body as well as recent alumnae, are growing more and more concerned with the silence of LTS on LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Our LGBTQIA+ students have faced oppressive comments from fellow students and staff, both directly and indirectly.
Some of us who are LGBTQIA+ have known LTS to be an affirming place, allowing us to grow and learn as our whole selves. We could recount many stories of interactions with staff, faculty, and students that have been incredibly loving and affirming.
Sadly, good interactions do not negate discriminatory actions. Because there is no official policy that prohibits discrimination of LGBTQIA+ persons, we risk existence in this space, without recourse.
We are personally aware of people who have chosen not to attend LTS because of this silence, as well as students who have transferred to another school because of their experiences of marginalization. This is harmful for the realm of God, and it is harmful for the future sustainability of LTS itself.
We are asking that you take steps to address LGBTQIA+ inclusion
at LTS. At a minimum, we ask that LTS:
1. Clarifies nondiscrimination policy prohibiting derogatory and marginalizing
language toward LGBTQIA+ persons to both the Student Handbook and Personnel
Policy
2. Holds all students, staff, and faculty (including adjunct) accountable to abide by these policies
3. Examines curriculum and assigned readings for heterosexism and cissexism, eliminating books that perpetuate those sinful systems
4. Requires training for staff and faculty on dismantling heteropatriarchy, particularly addressing trans*, nonbinary, and gender-fluid inclusion.
Without a specific and explicit act of inclusion, the continued silence of LTS allows discrimination to continue unchecked, and the realm of God is suffering for it. This has been particularly harmful to students when this discrimination has been directly acted or implicitly allowed by faculty.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to continuing this conversation and partnering with you on taking steps to follow God’s call in this way!
With respect,
LGBTQIA+ LTS Students and their Allies
Updates
October 18, 2020
I have spent the last few days drafting a formal letter to the administration outlining the specific policy revisions we are requesting. We are currently coordinating with faculty members who support these changes to ensure our next meeting with the leadership team is as productive as possible.
11 Comments
Through my studies at LTS, my worldview has been expanded exponentially and for that I am grateful. My understanding of who belongs., and more importantly who should be welcomed at The Table of Christ has also been expanded. I am grateful for this and pray for the day when my sisters and brothers in Christ feel that same welcome at the table of theological education at LTS. That welcome and inclusion should extend from the front door, to the books, the faculty (including adjunct), the student and faculty policies, and the language used in all interactions with each other.
There may have been a time when silence made some sense?.... But, just as the seminary corrected in 2019 the grievous mistake of withholding a degree due to sexual orientation in the past, it is time to stop being silent, as our siblings who are part of the LGBTQIA Community are asking of us!
As someone who identifies as queer, knowing that I am not an afterthought but someone being intentionally made to feel included or intentionally made to feel that I have a seat at the table is life-changing for me.
I have a trans son. This sort of affirming stance is something I would expect of an institution of the character and spirit of Lexington Theology Seminary.
LTS has an opportunity to lead our denomination towards better inclusion and a clearer understanding of scripture taken in the context of the entirety of Jesus’s teachings.
I support
Policy and accountability are the comingled foundations of institutions. We do not live into the fullness of our imago dei when we do not have the policy and accountability to be an actively inclusive incarnation of Christ.
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Dear faculty, staff, and administration of Lexington Theological Seminary:
We write with deep love for God, the Church, and LTS. Out of gratitude for the
transformative love we have felt from all three of those places, we feel
compelled to speak up, as that is at risk.
We, as members of the current student body as well as recent alumnae, are growing more and more concerned with the silence of LTS on LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Our LGBTQIA+ students have faced oppressive comments from fellow students and staff, both directly and indirectly.
Some of us who are LGBTQIA+ have known LTS to be an affirming place, allowing us to grow and learn as our whole selves. We could recount many stories of interactions with staff, faculty, and students that have been incredibly loving and affirming.
Sadly, good interactions do not negate discriminatory actions. Because there is no official policy that prohibits discrimination of LGBTQIA+ persons, we risk existence in this space, without recourse.
We are personally aware of people who have chosen not to attend LTS because of this silence, as well as students who have transferred to another school because of their experiences of marginalization. This is harmful for the realm of God, and it is harmful for the future sustainability of LTS itself.
We are asking that you take steps to address LGBTQIA+ inclusion
at LTS. At a minimum, we ask that LTS:
1. Clarifies nondiscrimination policy prohibiting derogatory and marginalizing
language toward LGBTQIA+ persons to both the Student Handbook and Personnel
Policy
2. Holds all students, staff, and faculty (including adjunct) accountable to abide by these policies
3. Examines curriculum and assigned readings for heterosexism and cissexism, eliminating books that perpetuate those sinful systems
4. Requires training for staff and faculty on dismantling heteropatriarchy, particularly addressing trans*, nonbinary, and gender-fluid inclusion.
Without a specific and explicit act of inclusion, the continued silence of LTS allows discrimination to continue unchecked, and the realm of God is suffering for it. This has been particularly harmful to students when this discrimination has been directly acted or implicitly allowed by faculty.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to continuing this conversation and partnering with you on taking steps to follow God’s call in this way!
With respect,
LGBTQIA+ LTS Students and their Allies
Updates
October 18, 2020
I have spent the last few days drafting a formal letter to the administration outlining the specific policy revisions we are requesting. We are currently coordinating with faculty members who support these changes to ensure our next meeting with the leadership team is as productive as possible.
11 Comments
As a senior who has experienced much change in our society and culture, I am a product of white privilege. It has been LTS that influenced and opened my eyes to much of the injustice in the world. I commend all of you for the courage and perserverance to address this glaring omission.
Through my studies at LTS, my worldview has been expanded exponentially and for that I am grateful. My understanding of who belongs., and more importantly who should be welcomed at The Table of Christ has also been expanded. I am grateful for this and pray for the day when my sisters and brothers in Christ feel that same welcome at the table of theological education at LTS. That welcome and inclusion should extend from the front door, to the books, the faculty (including adjunct), the student and faculty policies, and the language used in all interactions with each other.
There may have been a time when silence made some sense?.... But, just as the seminary corrected in 2019 the grievous mistake of withholding a degree due to sexual orientation in the past, it is time to stop being silent, as our siblings who are part of the LGBTQIA Community are asking of us!
As someone who identifies as queer, knowing that I am not an afterthought but someone being intentionally made to feel included or intentionally made to feel that I have a seat at the table is life-changing for me.
I have a trans son. This sort of affirming stance is something I would expect of an institution of the character and spirit of Lexington Theology Seminary.
LTS has an opportunity to lead our denomination towards better inclusion and a clearer understanding of scripture taken in the context of the entirety of Jesus’s teachings.
I support
Policy and accountability are the comingled foundations of institutions. We do not live into the fullness of our imago dei when we do not have the policy and accountability to be an actively inclusive incarnation of Christ.
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As a senior who has experienced much change in our society and culture, I am a product of white privilege. It has been LTS that influenced and opened my eyes to much of the injustice in the world. I commend all of you for the courage and perserverance to address this glaring omission.