ReachOUT recognition denied, LGBT advocates turn to online petition
Seniors Alexander Cooper and Lindsay Jakows, co-presidents of Reach OUT, have released a Change.org petition in response to the administration’s decision not to grant official club recognition to the LGBT group. Titled “Pepperdine: Overturn Your Decision to Deny Recognition to LGBT Students,” the petition is an effort to demonstrate to administrators what Jakows believes to be a broad base of support for club recognition.
According to a written explanation accompanying the petition, “Until now, the university’s policies have created an atmosphere of silence and anxiety that alienates not only the LGBT student population but also anyone concerned for their well-being.”
Cooper and Jakows submitted an application for club recognition Nov. 9 and were notified Dec. 13 that their application had been denied.
“We think Pepperdine overestimates the number of people who would be against a club,” Jakows said. Reach OUT’s petition has received online coverage from The Advocate, a news source for LGBT issues, and at press time, it had received 1,280 signatures, largely from Pepperdine students and alumni.
Professor Robert Williams signaled his support for Reach OUT by signing the petition. “I believe that universities ought to be leaders in the effort to end discrimination. And Christian universities ought to lead the effort with grace and humility.”
Dean of Students Mark Davis has been exploring the best ways to meet the needs of LGBT students through the Building Bridges committee meetings, but the petition also states that the activities of Building Bridges have not gone far enough to create a sense of community for those touched by LGBT issues.
President Andrew K. Benton expressed a desire to fill these gaps. “It hurts me to think that we’ve got students who are struggling with these issues, who are questioning, and they feel like they don’t have an outlet. I don’t want this to be a place where people can’t find a voice,” he said.
Davis said that while he is open to receiving any kind of thoughtful input, “when it comes to issues related to the sexual relationships statement, those decisions aren’t made based upon a popular vote. Those decisions are made based upon principles and values the University decides are important.”
From the administration’s perspective, the issue remains how Reach OUT will align with the Pepperdine mission and tradition. While Davis acknowledged that the relationship with the Churches of Christ is important, more central is honoring the biblical conviction that sexual activity should be reserved for a husband-wife relationship.
“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.”
Both Davis and Benton pointed to a wealth of commonality found through conversations with Reach OUT members and commended Cooper and Jakows for their maturity and respectfulness in presenting their position. All parties expressed a desire to continue to seek common ground through open dialogue, which will take place as the Building Bridges meetings continue throughout the semester.
According to a letter from Davis, goals for the meetings will include “creating support/discussion groups where LGBT students and their peers can engage in open and safe dialogue, providing additional educational forums for the University community to become better informed about LGBT issues and disarm destructive stereotypes, and strengthening the University’s harassment policy to make it clearer that all members of our community must be treated with dignity and grace as fellow human beings bearing the image of God.”
Said Benton, “As we go into this period of conversation, I’m anxious to find ways to not only make sure these students have counseling opportunities where they can say anything they want to say with the cloak of confidentiality, but, as I learned in my conversation [with Cooper and Jakows], it’s not just that — it’s a sense of community, and boy do I get that. Not one of us wants to be alone in this world.”
As Reach OUT members seek to form community through an officially recognized club, they see themselves as serving the mission of Pepperdine rather than combating its principles.
“Reach OUT does not see itself in conflict with the core of Christian values in any way,” Jakows wrote in an email. “We do not endorse sexual activity, we uphold Pepperdine’s maxim that ‘truth has nothing to fear from investigation,’ and we foster a much-needed environment where LGBT students do not feel marginalized from the Christian community.”
“[W]e do not expect the university to completely agree with our view. We think the administration can make a strong statement that our voices should be heard while also saying that they do not necessarily agree with everything we have to say. … The only values we want the administration to endorse are free speech and an equal voice for all students.”
Cooper lamented the rejection that gays and lesbians feel in being turned away by some Christian circles. He has seen this place a barrier to faith before those in the LGBT community.
“If this is how I feel in the presence of Christ’s followers, how can I worship God? It leads to a lot of disillusionment,” Cooper said.
He also explained Reach OUT’s refusal to affirm the traditional view of marriage espoused by Pepperdine. “If we were to adopt that rule, it would limit our ability to be a beacon to those who don’t adopt that stance.”
For Benton, the opportunity to care for students far outweighs the limitations of the situation.
“The only thing that we’re not able to do is what looks like endorsement. I’d like to get beyond that to get to the deeper issue: What do you really need, and how can we be encouraging to you without compromising and without walking away from our mission and those who have been so good to us for so many years?” he said.
Benton stressed Pepperdine’s efforts to meet student needs while honoring its commitment to a traditional path.
“Pepperdine has not been mercurial on this subject. We’ve been very consistent, and I think we’re been very loving,” he said. “We really are desperately trying to care for our students in a way consistent with our historic and traditional support for biblical marriage.”
Davis encouraged all involved to be respectful and loving as they continue to explore options.
“Friends can disagree on moral issues and still maintain loving relationships. No one — on any side of the issue — should be belittled, misrepresented, or demeaned for holding a different viewpoint,” he wrote. “My hope for the Pepperdine community is that we can hold our convictions with humility and grace while caring deeply about each other.”
It is deeply disappointing to see my alma mater treat students from different backgrounds and differing values like second-class citizens. The administration quotes are stunning, and borderline patronizing, characterizing these students as struggling with these issues. Yet, the administration’s actions just reinforce the discrimination that fuels those struggles. It sends a message to the student and faculty body that discrimination, under the guise of Christian-driven principles, is acceptable. Certainly not “freely ye received.”
It’s ironic to me that Santa Clara University (in my backyard), a Jesuit school that is arguably much more conservative than Pepperdine, appears to be more tolerant, recognizing the gay community with clubs and other services.
Pepperdine has accepted and embraced groups in the past that directly conflict with the university’s Church of Christ foundation (look at other student religious organizations). This is a step back.
This has a chilling effect on my interest in supporting the university. It’s becoming harder for me to be a proud alumnus.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has written about this issue, from his latest book –
“This is a matter of ordinary justice. We struggled against apartheid in South Africa, supported by people the world over, because black people were being blamed and made to suffer for something we could do nothing about – our very skin. It is the same with sexual orientation. It is a given. I could not have fought against the discrimination of apartheid and not also fight against the discrimination that homosexuals endure, even in our churches and faith groups.” (page 54)
and –
“Equally, I cannot keep quiet while people are being penalized for something about which they can do nothing – their sexuality. To Discriminate against our sisters and brothers who are lesbian or gay on grounds of their sexual orientation for me is as totally unacceptable and unjust as apartheid ever was.” (page 55)
Strong words from a great man who has fought against apartheid. ‘Apartheid’ is the Afrikaans word for ‘separateness’.
Wow. I am disgusted and disappointed with Pepperdine’s stance on this issue, and quite frankly am outright ashamed to call myself a graduate of this school (3x over I might add). I was brought up in a religious family, and above all was taught that religion is about tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion. Exactly how is Pepperdine teaching and fostering this type of message? Answer: it is not. How unfortunate. I was hoping that I could one day recommend this school to my kids for higher education, but there is nothing but backward, fundamentalist teaching going on there now. You can count me and my family out as supporters of this institution until it decides to evolve for the better and teach its students about tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion. Thank you for continuing to devalue all three of my degrees and my opinion of Pepperdine.
Practicing a LGBT lifestyle is wrong. It is contrary to the standards set forth in the scriptures (Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9). Moreover the scriptures also teach us that to condone, accept or approve of sinful behavior in anyway is to be partakers in the evil (2 John 10-11, Ephesians 5:6-11).
I am glad to see someone take a stand for the truth.
This is why HeartStrong has existed for over 15 years. Cleaning up the mess that these schools leave in the lives of GLBT students and even their families is our responsibility. Pepperdine, like Notre Dame, Liberty University, Bob Jones University and thousands of other schools can continue their bigotry toward GLBT persons on and off campus but HeartStrong and its Youth Empowerment Project are there to help anyone who needs support and a well-lit path to self-acceptance, and personal peace.
I applaud Pepperdine and their decision. They chose to stand by their beliefs and not give in to outside pressures that are trying to influence this issue. Furthermore, I keep hearing people say things like: “Pepperdine treats the GLBT like second-class citizens” and things of that nature…they aren’t doing anything of the sort…they don’t make them stay in “other” dorms or eat in “different” cafeterias…all they are saying is that they can’t have a recognized group. Not only that, but its not as though they just up and kicked each of these kids out of school, they still get the education they paid for and the degree they earned. If we allow GLBT, then why not allow same-sex dorms? How about pre-marital sex? What about pagan clubs? The common trait amongst all of those examples is that it is contrary to the Christian lifestyle. Stay strong Pepperdine! – A concerned alumni
Mr. Adams, I do not see a thing in either of the schools administrators that in any way was bigoted. Is it remotely possible that the messed up lives of these individuals is not from schools “like Pepperdine and Notre Dame” but because of the refusal of those in that community to live according to God’s Word. I know anytime my life gets messed up that is typically why.
The constant use of the word ‘discrimination’ in this article and some of the comments is an attempt to frame this debate in dishonest terms. I think many who are using this terminology would call Jesus discriminatory as He placed sheep on the right hand and goats on the left. In this light, I would say amen to so-called ‘discrimation’. The church is no doubt a life boat to those sick in sin, and we must minister to those lost in sexual immorality. But the sinner must make a choice. There is no bringing your sinful lifestyle into the life boat. It is appalling that there are those who would frame a stance against sin as a stance against sinners.
I am thankful to hear that Pepperdine is not caving in on this important issue, and, in fact, a more emphatic stance would be preferable.
The LGBT agenda is not acceptance. This situation plainly shows they are demanding for god-fearing people to leave their Bible-based beliefs and HONOR them (those who are LGBT) by acting as if they are just another part of a god-fearing society.
God has been plain about this. Love is love, but it never condones or promotes sin, whether you call it a choice, a life-style, or what.
Please, don’t hide the Light under a bushel, Pepperdine.
Last call.
Jude 3
I am a child of the King. My standing for what He has written makes me obedient to His will. It doesn’t make me hateful to people. Well Archbishop Desmond Tutu may have written on tolerance etc, but long before Tutu God and inspired men of God have written. I will stand upon what I receive from His precious book, not popular opinion and polls. The only reason others have bowed to the pressure to give up their convictions is they lack not the love of people, but the Lord. But to accuse people of being bigoted and hateful simply because their convictions are based upon the respect for God’s Word show the intent of the writers.
I applaud Pepperdine for having a standard and being true to that standard. Hey, if you disagree with their standards, there are hundreds of colleges in Cal where you can live anyway you please.
Love Kiwi Mike.
I am Straus Institute alum 2006 (LL.M Dispute Resolution). Can anyone tell me why ReachOUT’s video has been removed from YouTube?
Because some of the voices in the video are closely associated with the Graphic we felt it was an unfair depiction of the Graphic’s agenda. Our goal is to provide as objective and unbiased news as possible and this video seemed to stray from this agenda. The removal of this video has nothing to do with the Graphic’s thoughts for or against LGBT and the ReachOUT movement.
Standing by a strict moral code is not discrimination.
The university is not rejecting anybody, treating them as second-class citizens or discriminating against a group. It is sticking close to its values. What would happen if, whenever anyone felt left out because THEIR belief wasn’t being promoted, Pepperdine said “OK we don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”? It would eventually end up as something that the world morphed it into, instead of a school that upholds important Christian values. Christianity is not about being comfortable. It’s about God-given love. The University has promised to support and demonstrate the kind of love that comes from God, and because of this, there’s no recognition for the LGBT group. It doesn’t mean that Christians are not tolerant or accepting of the PEOPLE who want to join the group, it simply means they don’t agree with accepting the LIFESTYLE.