Gordon's LGBTQ+ Club Fights for Recognition

by Mattie Schoenfeld '22, Reporter

(Photo: Students and alumni, including Erica Basham ‘21 in red, pose in support of One Gordon during the college’s Homecoming 2019 event. Credit: One Gordon’s Facebook page)

Six years after its creation, Gordon’s LGBTQ+ club continues to fight for accreditation by GCSA and for recognition by the administration.

Gordon students started the club in 2014 under the moniker “One Gordon” because they saw a need: for community, safety, and increased awareness on campus. The current leader of the club, Erica Basham (Senior, Music Education major) intends to stay true to the original goals of the club.

Basham’s primary vision is to provide a safe and welcoming community for all students, whether LGBTQ+ or Allies. Additionally, she wants the club to become accredited “so more people know we exist and to get the benefits of other clubs.”

Concerning club values, Basham said, “[We] do not assume anything about anyone. Do not assume their pronouns, gender identity or sexuality, and do not assume people’s beliefs or their religion and faith.”

Conversations about the intersection of faith, sexuality, and gender identity play a central role in club discussion. The club also dialogues about church-related trauma and healing and shares affirming resources for members.

The LGBTQ+ club has chartered for accreditation and faced numerous rejections, most recently in spring 2020.

Many Christian colleges, like Liberty, Wheaton, and Westmont, have LGBTQ+ policies similar to Gordon. Student organizations exist underground only, or through alumni networks. Colleges like Calvin and Messiah, however, have chosen to recognize and support their LBGTQ+ students; both schools have sexuality and gender awareness programs that educate and promote discussion.

Basham met with the college administration in spring 2020 about the mental and emotional health issues Gordon’s anti-LGBTQ+ policy causes. She said, “There’s a lot of people hurting here. If Gordon is supposed to be a godly, loving, inclusive community, why are they excluding us?”

Dr. Nicholas Rowe, Dean of Student Engagement, provided an explanation for why the club cannot be accredited or endorsed by the college: “Clubs need to adhere to the perspectives that inform the life and conduct statement. . . . Typically, it’s assumed that any organization would affirm the college’s official position.” He continued, “The policy is pretty straight and clear-cut. And if they can abide by that . . . they can be endorsed as a club.”

The life and conduct statement is often cited as a catch-all for controversial topics at Gordon. However, its sole commentary on LGBTQ+-centric issues is fleeting: “Those words and actions which are expressly forbidden in Scripture, including but not limited to blasphemy, profanity, dishonesty, theft, drunkenness, sexual relations outside marriage, and homosexual practice, will not be tolerated in the lives of Gordon community members, either on or off campus.”

The statement does not specifically speak to the presence of the LGBTQ+ community on campus or assert Gordon’s responsibility to support this oft-marginalized population.

Dr. Rowe confirmed the administration is “aware of a lot of students who identify as LGBTQ who really struggle on campus.” He mentioned a Student Life initiative to “start the conversation” about sexuality and gender identity issues at Gordon, with the main goal of providing care for LGBTQ+ students.

Restrictions and closures due to COVID-19 have thwarted the faculty undertaking for the time being, but Dr. Rowe believed there will be progress in the coming months.

Erica Basham shared how Gordon’s campus culture at large can support its LGBTQ+ community: “Fully listen, and instead of talking first, genuinely listen to our stories. Be active in trying to create a safe community. Be willing to be educated. Be open and willing to change your minds and hearts.”