Call for SPU to Address LGBTQ+ Policy Failure

This is un-Christlike and unethical. It calls into question all the statements the university claims regarding "engaging the culture" and shows the school's true colors. SPU alum

It’s time. It’s been time.

As an SPU alum this decision deeply saddens me. Ones orientation does not change their quality of teaching or their example of Christ, their actions do. The actions of SPU for not hiring this teacher because of his orientation show that the school does not act Christ like, as they do teach.

it is frustrating but not surprising to hear that SPU is treating its LGBT staff this way. I identify as Bi and Trans and did not feel safe coming out as trans while i was attending SPU. I did my senior project on issues facing LGBT youth and was forced by the school to censor and change my original project. SPUs treatment of LGBT staff and students is unacceptable.

SPU Alumni

I hope SPU listens to these voices for change and equality for all!

SPU Alum Class of 2015 If SPU wants to truly stand for the reconciliation they preach, their stance on LGBTQ+ issues needs to change. I have known too many fellow alumni who felt they needed to hide. All are welcome in the family of God. ALL. Full stop.

Like many of you, I grew up in an evangelical conservative environment and I still hold many of those views today. My understanding of LGBTQ+ Issues was greatly influenced and expanded by SPU staff, professors, and classmates. I encourage you to read the thoughtful comments made by one of my classmates Samuel Ernest. Joel DeJong Class of 2015 Scholars RA 2013-2015 Political Science & Economics

I am disappointed, but not surprised, by my alma mater. SPU is long overdue to have a serious reckoning over their exclusionist, un-Christlike policies. Full embrace of the LGBTQIA+ community should not even be a question (mind boggling that it is) and this sort of behavior, choosing to deny the humanity of children created in the image of God, is abhorrent and the reason I stay away from institutions like SPU and many other "Christian" institutions.

I transferred out of SPU because of their policies on LGBTQ+ people at their institution

This hits close to home.

This is discrimination and contradicts SPUs mission. We’re not “changing the world” if we’re discriminating sexual orientation. What does sexual preference have to do with a teaching position ?

SPU Alum Class of 2015

There is absolutely no reason this should be happening. As much as SPU talks about reconciliation, it needs to include the LGBTQ+ community also

I'm embarrassed to tell people I graduated from this university

I’ve known too many lgbt alumni who had to hide who they were. God wants us all to come to him whoever we are, if Spu represents god they should do the same.

I can only imagine how impactful it would have been to have a queer role model at any point in my life, but especially at SPU. I was able to come out in college and find acceptance from my peers, but by and large the environment still reinforced the mental shackles of my conservative upbringing. I can't necessarily say I regret attending SPU, but I often wonder how my personal development may have been stunted by spending so long in such a homogenous place. It's policies like this that leave a bitter taste of Christianity in the mouths of many like myself.

As a queer alumni of SPU, I was broken-hearted (although as this letter states, not surprised) to learn of the decision to not hire a LGBTQIA+ professor on full time. The time has come for SPU to choose the path of inclusivity, community, and justice instead of staying aligned with the archaic, discriminatory desires of donors; my years at SPU were incredibly formative, however, I would not recommend SPU to a prospective student at this time with the current policies against queer inclusivity and empowerment. I would have benefitted immensely to have had queer, Christian professors during my time as a student at SPU, and I hope that this dream can become a reality for future prospectives. Seattle Pacific has the potential to be a place that stays on the edge of the Christian faith and challenges belief systems that directly contradict that teachings of Christ, such as your current policies to not hire queer folks. Please seriously consider these demands, petitions, and what I would also call, prayers. The queer community needs spaces to feel held, seen, and celebrated within Christian communities, and it is my hope for Seattle Pacific University to become one of those places. Mary Campbell Class of 2016 UScholars

As a 2013 graduate of SPU, I am deeply disappointed that this is still an issue. It is far beyond the time for SPU to make a change.

This has been long due for years Much love to everyone fighting for change