Evangelical University in the US Overturns Ban on Same-Sex Relationships
Azusa Pacific University (APU), a heavily conservative evangelical college, has overturned its ban on students having same-sex relationships, reports student newspaper Zu News.
The college, however, will not change its stance on same-sex marriage, believing “sexual union is intended by God to take place only within the marriage covenant between a man and a woman.”
Associate Dean of Students Bill Fialaexplained, “The changes that occurred to the handbooks around sexual behaviour creates one standard for all undergraduate students, as opposed to differential standards for different groups.
“The change that happened with the code of conduct is still in alignment with our identity as a Christian institution. The language changed, but the spirit didn’t. Our spirit is still a conservative, evangelical perspective on human sexuality.”
This change in policy was made possible by the LGBT+ organisation Brace Commons, in association with the underground local LGBT+ social group Haven.
“We thought it was unfair to single out queer folks in same-sex romantic relationships while it is impossible to enforce or monitor [whether other students are remaining abstinent],” said Brave Commons co-executive director, Erin Green.
“Queer students are just as able to have romanticized relationships that abide by APU’s rules. The code used falsely assumed that same-sex romances always involved sexual behaviour. This stigmatization causes harm to our community, especially those serious about their Christian faith.”
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