LGBT 'Shame List' of Christian colleges released

FILE: An auxiliary sanctuary at the new Thomas Road Baptist Church on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. (AP)

Christian colleges were recently given the label of "absolute worst" for LGBT students due to, among other things, requesting a religious exemption to the Obama administration's current interpretation of Title IX regulations.

Campus Pride's "shame list" has 102 Christian colleges and universities at the time of this publication.

There is not a lesser "worst" category. Rather, all colleges that fail Campus Pride's standards are labeled "absolute worst."

Shane Windmeyer, spokesperson for Campus Pride, told The Christian Post via email that for a college to get on the "shame list" and specifically the "absolute worst" category an institution must have "received and/or applied for a Title IX exemption to discriminate against LGBTQ youth" and/or "demonstrated past history and track record of anti-LGBTQ actions, programs and practices."

"The listing will be updated annually. This is the first-time Campus Pride has released a listing of the worst anti-LGBTQ campuses across the country. New campuses may appear in future and campuses may be removed in future as well," added Windmeyer.

Other noteworthy entrants on the "absolute worst" category included Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, Bob Jones University, East Texas Baptist University, Gordon College, Liberty University, Union University, and Wheaton College.

Not all colleges made the list by requesting a religious exemption. Wheaton, for instance, is on the list for inviting an ex-lesbian, Rosaria Butterfield, to speak to its students.

Windmeyer of Campus Pride told CP that it was not an issue of considering homosexuality a sin, adding that "think about all the religious campuses who do not appear on the list."

"Notre Dame is one that is not on the list that recognizes its LGBT group and labels homosexuality as a sin. There are numerous other religious campuses not on the list," said Windmeyer.

"However, if a campus like Lancaster Bible College chooses to 'legally' request the right to discriminate against LGBTQ youth and use religion-based bigotry to harm or perpetuate harm toward LGBT youth, then they will be on the Shame List for these 'shameful acts.'" (Scare quotes in original.)