Gay student forced to leave school

Three weeks ago an 18-year-old honour student at Trinity Christian Academy was cruising toward graduation. He had already been accepted to a prestigious university, and the final months of high school seemed a mere formality.

He was a varsity athlete and a winner of service and citizenship awards at the fundamentalist private school in Addison. He was active in the school theater, was a yearbook editor and helped younger students with Bible study.

Trinity Christian was his second family, the student said, and by every indication he was one of the school's favourite sons.

But when the school's top administrators learned that the student had created a Web site where teens chat about homosexuality, he said they gave him a choice: either leave quietly or face expulsion for "immoral behavior," which is prohibited by the school's code of conduct.
In a matter of days, the student, who is gay, went from prized student to sinner outcast.

Today, the student attends high school in Plano, and students, teachers and administrators at Trinity Christian are left debating whether forcing the withdrawal of a popular lifelong student was the "Christian" thing to do. The case also shines a light on the moral culture clash with which private fundamentalist schools are increasingly wrestling.

"I feel completely violated," said the student, who had attended Trinity Christian since kindergarten. "The big lesson here for me is that you can't really trust anybody. That, and I should have kept my mouth shut."

Initially, the student, who is legally an adult, gave The News an on-the-record interview regarding the case. Later, after telling his parents about the interview, he asked that The News not publish his name. The student's parents declined to comment.


Headmaster's statement

Trinity Christian administrators would not talk specifically about the case. Headmaster David Delph issued a general statement about the school's discipline policy.

"As a community of Christian families we also believe the Bible provides insight to help us discern God's desire for our conduct," the statement reads in part. "Therefore we demand high Biblical standards of behavior from our students both academically and socially. Our families are asked to embrace these standards of conduct by signing a covenant with the school when students are admitted. Within this framework of Biblical standards and academic rigor, an atmosphere of enhanced learning, character development, and love are allowed to flourish."

John Craig, regional director for the Association of Christian Schools International, said honour codes at Christian schools play a critical role in establishing a school's culture.

"A school has the right and responsibility to fulfill its mission, and that may involve rules that not everybody is going to agree with," said Mr. Craig, who is based in Dallas. "But the honour code makes it clear so there can be no misunderstanding: Here's who we are, here's what we're about, and here's what we're trying to accomplish with our students."

Legally there is no middle ground: As a private religious school, Trinity Christian was well within its rights to force the student's withdrawal, said Brian Chase, a lawyer with the Dallas office of the Lambda Legal defence and Education Fund, which advocates for gay rights. Also, Texas has no law prohibiting discrimination against someone based on sexual orientation.

But simmering under the surface are questions about forgiveness, compassion and redemption.

"This is the problem that many Christian schools are bumping into today, more so than ever, because our culture is changing," said Dr. John McCart, president the Texas Organization of Christian Schools. "If schools don't know exactly what their position is, they're hung."

Those who work with gay teens say the expulsion of gay students from private fundamental school is quite common.

"I've heard of kids being outed in chapel in front of the whole school," said Marc Adams, who runs a Seattle-based group called Heartstrong that counsels gay students attending religious schools. "It happens all the time. It's just that so few people come forward to talk about it."

Since its creation in 1996, Heartstrong has counseled 831 students whose sexual orientation got them kicked out of their religious schools, Mr. Adams said.

"And those are only the ... [students] who found us," he said. "There are thousands more that we never reach."

Mr. Craig of the Association of Christian Schools International, which accredited Trinity, said students and parents shouldn't sign the codes if they're not going to take them to heart.

"When you sign something, that's your word," he said.

The student acknowledges that he signed the honour code, which in part states that students agree "to live by the standards of the Code which have been established for my own good and the good of the entire school community." The student also said he knew he could get into trouble at the school for being gay.


'Decision was political'

"I love TCA, and I think it's a great school," said Brian Reinhart, a Trinity Christian graduate and a friend of the gay student. "But I'd have to say that their decision was political."

Mr. Delph, Trinity's headmaster, declined to address such criticism. The statement he issued, however stated: "We strive to handle each situation, as Jesus Christ would. Since love is at the core of Jesus' nature, we try to ensure each student is surrounded by an abundance of loving care during any disciplinary process."

Current and former Trinity students say heterosexual students who've been sexually active also have been forced to leave the school.

Trinity Christian receives no government support; its annual $15 million budget is wholly supported by tuition, fund raising and investments, according to its federal income tax return. With nearly 1,500 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, it's one of the area's largest private schools. High school tuition starts at $11,200 per year, plus fees.

The student said he began telling friends and teachers about his homosexuality last spring after hearing a Bible teacher announce in class that gays were bound for hell. He said teachers and counselors at the school were supportive and understanding.

Ironically, he said, his popularity among students began to rise when word got out.

"Suddenly," he said, "I was the cool gay kid."

But he said administrators didn't think he was "cool" last month after a student brought his Web site to their attention.

The site, which is not pornographic or sexually explicit, is a place for gay teens to meet, chat and post pictures of themselves. The student said a similar site was instrumental in his coming to terms with his own sexual identity.

As of Thursday, his site had 1,724 registered members. He announced his forced expulsion on his Web site. Others on the Web have published similar accounts of his story.

One day last month the student said he saw some Trinity Christian students looking at his site in the school library. On a whim, he posted an online survey on the site asking how many users were Trinity Christian students.

When confronted, the gay student acknowledged setting up the site and admitted he is gay, he said.

He also asked school administrators not to tell his parents about his homosexuality.

"Next thing I know, Mom and Dad are walking in the door," he said.

The student said several school administrators and teachers, in an attempt to help keep him from being expelled, coached him on how to handle the situation.

He should tell the headmaster, for example, that he wasn't gay. Instead he should say that he was "confused." He should say he wanted to be straight. He should agree to counseling. He should also take the Web site offline immediately.

"I did all of those things, but it didn't matter," he said.

The student said a few administrators told him his Web site was the key issue because it encouraged other teens to explore their homosexuality. So in a sense, the student said they told him, he was fostering the immorality of others.

Facing expulsion, the student said he chose to leave so his high school records would be free of disciplinary actions.

Nevertheless, "I love Trinity," the student said. "The faculty, the kids, they were my family for 13 years. They can't take that away."



http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/122104dnmettrinitygay.1402e.html

 

Christianity as a whole is nothing but a sect of hypocrites...I might get a lot of abuse from some forumers but i dont care. If your "god" is so powerful and forgiving...why is there any need to outcast a member of society for the simple fact that he's gay!!???? if your god is so loving and forgiving, why aren't they as such?
who can prove that all thats written in the bible is the word of god??? who can?
no-one.
i rest my case.

 

It sure does seem meanspirited to discriminate against gays, especially hypocritical for those who claim they are trying to follow jesus. where is the love?


his kids must be totally bewildered by this frankenstein monster Paul created.

 

What ever happened to "We were all created equally?" To me it doesn't matter if your straight or gay. Big fricking deal. They want to act like it's so bad when the Christian Priests are doing worse by molesting little boys!!!
And who's going to hell? I've never been a fan of the Christian Religion because it does this crap. They say they except everyone into their church and Jesus loves you all, but it's a bunch of crap. Hmm and it makes me even sicker that is costs 11 thousand just to go to that school. You know they aren't using that money to give to the poor, they are paying themselves.

 

Nice generalization. One example of a hypocrite would be someone who preaches tolerance but then criticizes someone with a different point of view. Now, go back and reread what you wrote.

Sucks to be the gay guy in this case, but he brought it upon himself. A PRIVATE institution that recieves NO federal funds can say who it wants and who it doesn't. It's no different from a woman who wants to to go to an all male school, or if Michael Jordan wanted to participate in the Special Olympics. In some cases it's just not going to be allowed. People shouldn't complain about it. In some cases "discrimination" if you want to call it that, is for the better.

 

????? that's not being a hypocrite in my book....
if i criticize this religion i have my reasons, in my experience all i've seen has given me the right to say this, so please spare me.

this world will never be a happy place with people setting boundaries, separating us from good or bad, black and white, gay or straight...if you look from above we're all the same, simple human beings that like to complicate their existance even more by divisions....If God really existed, and these people were right about their beliefs, man i think we're doomed.

 

I wanted to mention that I wrote in January 1981 that I thought we were likely doomed unless we amazed me and actually reduced worldwise consumption of the biomass. At the time our rate of it was not only growing each year, but the rate was accelerating each year.
It is still growing, but I think we have slowed the acceleration.
My only point is to say I agree, we are quite likely soon to see the final chapter in our devouring frenzy story.

Divide and conquer, as long as the people are separated, they can be led to fight each other instead of the system.

 

There is a difference he invested time into the school the least they can do is let him finish. Yet I blame the other students for not fighting back, I mean they didn't even flip the head masters car in realiation.

 

well, i'm christian. i fully accept the equality of gays both within secular and religious society. god loves us all. so, you're wrong. christianity isn't the problem, prejudice and fear are.

 

Well private school is a mixed bag... by not accepting Tax money they're free to make up any crazy ass rules they want... sucks for the kid... shoulda gone to public school.

He really doesn't have much recourse since its a private school...

 

biomass?

Whats that have to do with anything?

 

so cos you're a christian and i'm not, I'm wrong for having an opinion about your religion...? talk about closeminded!!! So if prejudice and fear cause all these divisions, why are you people, as christians, more aware of these and finally put a stop to it? why not accept that we're living in a post modern era, where you can't live by what the bible says, cos this was written in another time, where most things are irrelevant to today's situations.

I respect the fact that christian people have faith on their god and have strong beliefs, but the way i see it is that most of them forget what is really like to be human. That's the way i experienced christianity way back when i used to be one (not by own choice, but was brought up as one)

 

No no hon. He's not being closeminded, you are. You're broadly generalizing Christians as narrowminded bigots. As a matter of fact I'm also a proud Christian, and a proud bisexual woman, and a proud liberal person, etc. etc. And there are many more out there who do not fit the mold you have made for Christians. My fiance is also a Christian and does not fit that mold. I understand your opinion because I used to have it myself when I was an atheist. But the fact is, he's right. Prejudice and Fear are not just a Christian trait. They are just human traits unfortunately. They are widespread in the world, even among atheists, agnostics, heterosexuals, homosexuals. Every clique, every race, every nation has their fair share. I'm sorry you've had bad associations with Christianity. But the number of openminded, truly loving, very spiritual Christians is growing I think. So please just remember that when generalizing my faith, and try not to so harshly criticize and insult a whole group of people who you haven't met. There are many asshole, prejudiced people out there who subscribe to no religion as well...but they aren't all like that.....


Anyway, as sick and sad as it makes me, I also don't think the guy has a case. Like someone said before...it's a private school...and they can kick out whomever they please. If this was a public school it'd be a different story...

 

Can a private school discriminate on race??? Should it be able to? Is it really the gay guy's fault? He did, after all, attend the school since Kindergarten, long before he ever understood sexual orientation.

Besides, a public school in Texas can expel someone for being gay, not just a private school. There is NO protection for sexual orientation. A homosexual can be denied housing, work, education, or ANYTHING else, just for being gay.

 

doom.........


'The earth is not their brother, they conquer it and move on. They will devour everything and the earth will become a desert.' Chief Seattle 1844


It is one possibility.

 

No it can't. Public schools in texas are controlled by the state govt, and have a sorta ignore the issue at all costs policy towards gays in public schools, they would never allow somebody to be kicked out for being gay.

I'm not saying its cool, but he did kinda set himself up for attention with the webpage, and private schools do have the right to make any kinda crazy ass rules they want.

They can make gemder specific schools so the race comparioson doesn't really hold up.

 

private schools cannot discriminate based on race, because it is a federally protected class. some federally protected classes, according to fair housing and other laws, are race, religion, and national origin, among others. sexual orientation is not a federally protected class. it is protected in some states, (my home state of new york, for example) but not every state is required to.


btw, i don't think this is right at all, but unfortunately for now, it's the way it is.

 

you have a very closed-minded, bigotted opinion of a religion. so, yeah, you're incorrect about christianity.

 

It may be a private school, BUT he payed 11k$ + some, and thats not fair

 

Lifes not fair...

Thats why we have guns.