Tag: LGBTQ

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My Experience: Asexuality and Coming Out in a Christian Environment

By Sarah Evans ’22

Asexuality Awareness Week is October 25th-31st so I thought I would share a bit about myself. I identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community even though, in the broad sense of the word, I am still “straight.” I identify as heteroromantic demisexual, but most of the time I just say that I am ace.

To explain these labels I am going to explain a bit about what asexuality is. Someone who identifies as asexual (ace) is someone who does not experience sexual attraction. Asexuality is a spectrum that spans from those who experience some sexual attraction but very rarely (greysexual) to those who experience sexual attraction only once they have a strong emotional connection with another person (demisexual) to those who never experience sexual attraction. Also within the ace spectrum people can be anywhere from sex-repulsed to sex-positive (this refers to the way we perceive the thought of sex in general, not sexual attraction). Within the ace community some might also label their romantic attraction, which I do. Romantic attraction labels are diverse like sexual attraction labels and can be anywhere from heteroromantic, biromantic, aromantic, and more. Now that we have explored and defined the different aspects of asexuality, I would like to talk about my own experience with being ace.

I grew up in an environment that most would say was sheltered. I was a homeschooled pastor’s kid. I was told all my life that sex should be saved for marriage, but I never understood what was so exiting about sex. I have never really had my internet usage restricted, so I could have looked up things I should not have, but I was never interested in doing that. I never had that sex-crazed puberty that it seems most people do, and I have also struggled to understand what it means when someone was described as being “hot” or “sexy” because those words mean nothing to me. I describe people as cute or attractive because I appreciate their aesthetics, but I am not sexually attracted to them. This experience of not having sexual attraction is confusing when our culture seems to focus so much on sexualizing everything.

I have spent a lot of time reflecting on and researching asexuality to make sure I understand myself enough to be confident with the labels I use. I did not realize that I was asexual until this semester which has been an interesting experience for sure.

But since I realized that I was ace I have been passionate about educating myself and others on what asexuality is. I have talked to friends and some of my professors about asexuality and I have received mixed reactions. My friends who already knew about asexuality would usually accept it right away and tell me that I am valid, but those who did not know anything about it would usually say it was “normal.” I think the most common response I have gotten is, “it’s normal to need time, you just haven’t found the right person yet.” That is not how it works though. While I would say needing time is true about finding a trusting relationship, some people will never have sexual attraction to anyone no matter how much time they have. Being ace is not a choice. Another reaction that I have gotten is that I am “just being abstinent” and, while that might be a personal choice I have made, that does not make me ace.

I would like to encourage everyone to intentionally learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and its diverse aspects. The community is bigger than it might seem.

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News

We Are All Houghton Project Challenges School to Listen to Past and Present LGBTQ+ Experiences at Houghton

Credit: instagram.com/weareallhoughton/

We recognize that controversy surrounding this topic is ongoing, particularly regarding the recent paintings of the Spirit Rock. The STAR is still working to prepare our coverage of those events, and would invite anyone with thoughts or information on the subject to get in touch with us at star@houghton.edu.

2020 has been a year riddled with controversy, what with the U.S. Presidential Election looming, ongoing discussions concerning the best handling of COVID-19, and protests over racial tensions still dominating the streets of cities across the country. Small, rural Houghton has not been an exception to tensions and polarization, as disagreements have been anything but tepid, especially concerning the We Are All Houghton project recently rolled out by alumni Josh Duttweiler (’15) and Amy Coon (’14). 

We Are All Houghton, presented during the alumni art exhibition RECOLLECTIVE (held September 4, 2020 to October 3, 2020 in the Ortlip Gallery), consisted of light projections of quotes by LGBTQ+ alumni around notable spots on Houghton’s Campus, including buildings like Fancher Hall, Luckey Memorial, and Wesley Chapel. Quotes came from a group of recently graduated alumni—Collin Belt (’15), Mitch Galusha (’14), Sally Jacoby Murphy (’13), Sarah Jacoby Murphy (’13), Holly Chaisson (’16), and Emilie Powles Ocock (’14)—along with some who opted to remain anonymous, including current students.  

This project incorporated an anonymous survey which encouraged any person connected to Houghton College, whose sexual orientation and/or gender identity is “unaccepted by the college”, to answer and participate in. The survey served purposes twofold: one, “to allow those who would like to participate in the show in the Ortlip gallery to do so,” as select quotes would be projected in the gallery in hopes of amplifying additional LGBTQ+ voices from the school, and two, to present findings to the college after the show’s closure, so “administration can both hear from and better understand its students,” the survey form explained. 

Along with the physical exhibit in the Ortlip Gallery, the project has a website, weareallhoughton.com, as well as a page on Instagram (@weareallhoughton) which currently has 705 followers (as of Monday, October 5). The website explains the background and purposes of the project, introduces the alumni involved, and links to the survey. The Instagram page portrays photographs of several of the projections as well as quotes submitted as part of the survey. 

As the website explains, the project was largely in response to Houghton College’s involvement in the Supreme Court Cases regarding interpretation of Title VII and Title IX. The Supreme Court, in August 2020, concluded that firing an employee on the basis of being gay or transgender constitutes a violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This is pertinent because it interprets that Title VII protects LGBTQ+ Employees. Houghton College’s involvement, which became known to a group of alumni in August of 2019, was as an amicus curiae. Essentially, this means that they provided insight or a perspective to the court that they might not have considered or been aware of. The position that the amici took, which included Houghton College, was that the language in Title VII (which also relates to Title IX), does not and should not include protection for LGBTQ+ employees. 

After hearing of this, a group of alumni wrote a letter to President Shirley Mullen to voice their disappointment, both in Houghton’s decision to sign on the amicus brief, as well as their lack of communicating about it to current students and alumni. President Mullen responded, saying “The reason that Houghton signed the amicus brief was to say that the petitioner’s claims should be reviewed in Congress…The question at stake is whether the very best way to provide protection for LGBTQ persons is to ground that protection in the definition of ‘sex’ as that was established in Title VII and Title IX.” 

The exhibit was in response to the college’s involvement in these Supreme Court cases, as well as the experiences of LGBTQ+ students at Houghton at large.

Responses have been multitudinous. Mullen shared an open letter which was posted on the school’s website (see: https://www.houghton.edu/blog/an-open-letter-from-president-mullen/). This addressed the issue and also introduced the panel which they scheduled into Homecoming weekend: Houghton Alumni Family Dinner Conversations: Learning to Discuss Difficult Topics in a Polarized Context, which was held on Friday, October 2. Duttweiler was glad that this panel was being hosted, but “was disappointed that Amy and [him], as the artists of the project would not be included in any further conversation.” 

In terms of general reactions, Duttweiler and Coon expressed their overwhelmed feelings at how many positive responses they received from both participants and allies, saying they received many personal messages of gratitude for the project and, overall, received nearly 100 survey responses from LGBTQ+ current students, alumni, and staff/faculty. Duttweiler said, “their stories are heartbreaking. It’s a sobering reminder of the pain that the college’s policies have caused.” 

Of the matter, Coon shares similar sentiments, but wanted to add that she was “feeling a little disappointed in the reactions of those who are looking for a theological debate,” saying the project is not about that but rather “about truly listening to those who are hurting and learning how to sit in those feelings. I hope when people hear the hurt of their community, they then ask themselves how they can help and what they can do better instead of arguing about who is right and who is wrong.” 

Many of the responses from current students did take this theological approach in showing their disagreement with the project. 

Cory Messerschmidt (’22) believes that the project is a direct attack on the principles of the college. “The college has a God-given duty to shepherd its students…you have to truly love someone to share the truth with them, and the individuals involved with this need to hear the truth of the biblical gospel. This is a great opportunity to love them, but instead we’ve given them a platform for their attack on the college,” he said. 

Another student, Blythe Gilbert (’21), had a similar attitude, focusing more on the aspect of steering LGBTQ+ people away from “homosexuality, or any variety thereof, [which] is forbidden in the Bible.” As Messerschmidt said that Houghton should shepherd its students to the truth, Gilbert emphasized his belief that Christians are called not just to love, but to lovingly correct people to help them move closer to Christ. “To be sure, Houghton should tolerate and welcome LGBT students. I agree, certainly, that they should not be afraid to speak. However, they should not expect a Christian institution to be anything less than truly Christian.” 

Students who expressed their support of the movement focused less on theological debate and arguments, and more on their gratitude for the movement, along with acknowledging the need for support and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ members of the Houghton community. 

Emily Warner (’21) values the way that the project has called Houghton to act, both now and in the future. “Houghton has claimed to care deeply for its queer community. I would love for that to be true. We Are All Houghton is holding Houghton to its word—demanding that Houghton apologizes and does what it needs to ensure that queer students’ experiences are better in the future. I sincerely hope that Houghton will follow through and make concrete changes to care for and support the Houghton queer community, without feeling the need to remind us how wrong they think we are along the way.” 

Skye Chaapel (’23) and Caroline Zimmerman (’24) both pointed out how the project has displayed how the LGBTQ+ community is marginalized and excluded from the overall population on campus, and thus shows the “overwhelming need for [this] representation,” as Zimmerman said. The project, in giving voices to these people, both in alumni and those currently on campus, chipped away at just that. 

Another major focus of many of the supportive responses to the project was the fact that it showed the deep pain that has been inflicted on the LGBTQ+ community on campus. “There may be backlash and misunderstandings, but our classmates, friends, and people we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet are hurting. I just hope that from this we learn to not corner someone into some category or theological argument, but learn to listen to understand,” said Rachel Caine (’23).

If nothing else, it is clear that We Are All Houghton has given voice to those who have not always had the platform to share their experiences safely, and that Houghton’s “community” may have work to do to reconcile that term we value so much with those who have felt anything but welcomed into the community here. 

Duttweiler and Coon plan to continue the project “as long as it is helpful” and are seeking feedback on how to best go about doing this in the future. 

What are your thoughts on the We Are Houghton project? Angered? Validated? Comment below or get in touch with us via Instagram, Twitter, or email (editor@houghtonstar.com)!

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Opinions

Beauty And The Boycott

The way popular forms of media create and imitate culture has always been a point of contention amongst consumers with a religious eye. Yet it elicits an unexpectedly intimate sting when you find yourself at moral odds with art that you thought came from a trusted source. For the majority of Westernized culture, Disney is a synonym for family wholesomeness. My generation was raised on the The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. Now, in order to tap into the financial potential of such a nostalgic era of filmmaking, Disney is releasing live-action remakes of these stories. Part of the appeal of such projects is the effect time has in the retelling of the familiar. However, the changes are not just technical. With LGBTQ+ representation in media growing more common, Disney’s decision to embrace this change in the live-action Beauty and the Beast has left some Christians angry. There have been public calls for boycotts, open letters to Hollywood asking for revisions, and a general sentiment of “I don’t understand why they needed to change the story I grew up with by making a character gay.” While I understand this stems from a place of genuine concern, I am convicted that not only is this kind of interaction with art unhelpful, but it is not a Christian way to engage with the world.

Disney has an agenda, but that agenda is parallel to what is becoming culturally acceptable. This has never not been the case. When Andy Griffith prayed at his family’s dinner table, America generally identified as Christian, so Disney films appealed to that same sense of morality. It was the culture, and they continue to act similarly today in an environment that is less conservative. Calling it an agenda, when their platform is inspired by the climate in which they create and release content, is similar to claiming that a pastor has a religious agenda when preaching on Sundays. While it is technically true, the label means very little. Certainly anyone can come in and listen, just as anyone can go see a film, but it would be ridiculous for a non-religious visitor to hear people affirming the existence God in such a place and attempt to boycott the church. They weren’t a part of the culture of the church in the first place, even if they are invited to be. You cannot disconnect an expression from the setting in which it was conceived and created simply because it is visible to you.

If you decide to boycott a film based on an honest representation of humanity, then you have missed the point of sharing in creative human expression. The basis of storytelling has always been the buildup of tension created by pain and conflict, a unique product of sin, that eventually results in some sort of resolving conclusion. This means that art is inherently tainted by the reality of sin nature the same way that humanity is. So avoiding a single work based on what you perceive to be morally incompatible is counterintuitive, unless you choose to remove yourself from engaging in art as a whole.

Whether or not homosexuality is a sin is not the issue. Art is meant to express the totality of the human experience and we cannot exclude an entire social group from being represented simply because their lifestyles do not align with another group’s moral convictions.  Watching movies is not something we should partake in to have our beliefs affirmed, but to exercise our capacity for empathy. After all, the ability to relate to others is a muscle, something that must be trained. If we are to be like Christ then we must engage with the world the way he did, while still acknowledging the failings of humanity. This is what expression is, a way to connect and revel in the unique emotional imprints of each one of us holds within us. When we respond to popular culture as if it’s surprising that it does not live up to personal moral convictions that we all fall short of daily, then we have forgotten that.

Everyone has the right to have stories told about them, no matter what. Don’t forget that when you go to the theater, read a book, or listen to music, that you are listening to the inner thoughts of someone’s personal expression, shared with you, not simply something to affirm you and your faith. It is a special vulnerability to experience this, treat it with care, and listen as Jesus would listen. The culture of the world will always be the world’s, and we are all a part of it. Whether or not you choose to see a film in which a gay character is portrayed positively, you are still called to interact with the world as an ambassador for Christ: with love and empathy.

Jakin is a senior communication major with a concentration in media arts and design.

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Campus News

SGA Rejects Covenant Revisions

On Monday evening the Student Government Association (SGA) held its second public forum about the proposed changes to the Community Covenant. The meeting was held in the Paine Science Building’s Schaller Lecture Hall, which was filled to capacity. Before discussion began, Jiwan Dhaliwal ‘17 provided a devotion and prayer. She admonished the crowd to “allow the Christian story and ethic of love to supercede your personal theological beliefs,” and added  further that “we will lose our Christian community if we don’t value love above all else.” This call for unity in love was echoed by several community members throughout the evening.

Photo courtesy of Lily Brunner
Photo courtesy of Lily Brunner

Following the devotion, Vice President for Student Life, Robert Pool, spoke about the intent behind the proposed changes to the Community Covenant. The new language is meant to “clarify” the current use of the phrase “homosexual behavior.”

The proposed revised language reads:

“We believe, consistent with scripture and Wesleyan Church doctrine, that certain acts are clearly prohibited including: drinking alcohol to excess, stealing, speaking or writing profanely or slanderously, acting dishonestly, cheating, and engaging in occult practice. We also believe that sexual expression should be confined to marriage between one man and one woman as legally assigned at birth. Therefore, we expect members of the Houghton College community to refrain from engaging in premarital sex, adultery, and same-sex sexual behavior or dating relationships. We also expect all community members to use discretion and modesty when displaying affection, especially such displays deemed inappropriate for public or commons spaces.”

The floor was then opened for general discussion, moderated by student body president, Joanna Friesen ‘17. Community members on both sides of the issue shared their views. 

Photo courtesy of Lily Brunner
Photo courtesy of Lily Brunner

The final voice heard in the open discussion was that of Ron McEntire, a current graduate  student in Organ Performance. He told the story of his life, admitting that he was a gay Christian who first attended Houghton in the 1960’s. Though he was always aware that his identity as a gay man stood in tension with Wesleyan Church doctrine, his commitment to the Christian faith transcended differences about sexual ethics, regardless of how painful they could be. On the topic of the proposed revision he said,  “When I look at this language I don’t feel safe here.” This sentiment was shared by other members of the LGBTQ community on campus.

After open discussion ended the SGA voted on whether or not to reject and edit the proposed language. They chose to reject and edit, and will create an editing committee comprised of the Executive Council and class presidents. The purpose of this committee will be to find language that addresses the vagueness within the current covenant, while remaining sensitive to the needs of the entire community. As Pool said, “The intent is that the entire community agrees on the language. If not, then it’s not a community covenant.” Any questions, comments, or proposals for the Covenant language can be sent to the SGA at their email, sga@hougthon.edu

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Opinions

LGBTQ Christians: Why We Need To Do Better

Like any good Christ-centered community, Houghton College loves to talk about unity. We latch onto the idea of coming together as a body of believers to learn, grow, serve, and worship. Discussions about injustice fascinate us because we know that the church has a duty to step up and speak out against the divisions in this world. This love for unity seems to spread across every area of our lives and to every topic that can possibly be discussed. Well, every topic except for one. For some reason, when it comes to anything relating to the LGBTQ+ community, we seem to exchange our fascination with unity for an obsession with dissent.

Photo by: Nate Moore
Photo by: Nate Moore

On the surface, it seems like Houghton has done an excellent job of trying to maintain unity. Dean Jordan’s chapel talks and special discussions are always presented with tact and respect. SGA has also been doing a great job of facilitating discussion about the language of the Community Covenant that talks about same-sex relationships. If you have been here for a few years, you have probably seen a number of chapel speakers talking about what it looks like to be gay and Christian.

However, I’m not talking about the surface. God isn’t very concerned with the surface and neither am I. I am concerned with dinner table talks in the dining hall. I am concerned about the uneasiness that many students have about talking to someone who is gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender. I want to shed light on the fact that students wish, and sometimes even pray for the LGBTQ+ community to leave Houghton College. It seems to me that if you even say the word “gay,” there is a Houghton student somewhere cringing in agony.

I have never seen more Houghton students instantly filled with anger about a topic than I have with this one. Why is that? Why does it anger us so much to think there are students with a different theological position than what is popular? Why does it bother us to think some people disagree? Are we afraid the Bible is being misinterpreted and that we are accepting lies, or are we actually just being swept away by our own biases? We cannot escape the fact that the church has a history of demonizing the LGBTQ+ community. I see it every time a Christian brother or sister says we should not think less of someone because of their race, gender, or economic status, but conveniently disregards sexual orientation. We all know that racism is bad. We all know that sexism is terrible. However, I question how many of us realize that homophobia is not actually something that is rooted in Christ.

joemquoteIf your belief in the sinfulness of homosexuality thwarts your ability to love a gay person, you may need to reconsider your motives. Hold true to your beliefs, but for the sake of the unity of the church in a time of turmoil, please do not let the Christian acceptance of homophobia get in the way of your Christ-like compassion. You have Christian brothers and sisters who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Shouting at them and questioning why they would even want to attend Houghton College has done and will continue to do nothing to strengthen the church. We are one student body. We are one Houghton community. We are one body of Christ. You cannot pick and choose members of that family. We one-hundred percent need to do better. The next time you are about to slander your LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters in Christ, ask yourself when the last time you asked to pray for them was. Ask yourself whether or not you even have a gay friend. Disagree and debate, but for the beauty of the Earth, do not use your differences as an opportunity to inflict pain.

I am not saying you should change your theological stance and affirm same-sex relationships. I, myself, am conservative on the topic of sexuality and I hold firm to that stance. What I am saying, though, is that we cannot look at sexual orientation as an opportunity to disrespect and disregard the LGBTQ+ community on campus or around the world. We need to do better in the area of loving our gay and lesbian neighbors. We need to try harder to walk beside our bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters. The Bible never says that if you disagree with a Christian brother or sister, you should isolate yourselves immediately. We need to be loving to the LGBTQ+ community, both inside and outside the Houghton bubble. Can that be uncomfortable if you believe that their sexual desires are sinful? Yes. Does Jesus care whether or not we are comfortable? Probably not.

Joe is a junior communication major with minors in business and Bible.

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Campus News

Dean Jordan Lectures on LGBTQ Issues

Dean of the chapel, Michael Jordan, delivered the first of three lectures in a series on same sex attraction in Christian higher education. The lecture took place on Tuesday evening in the Chamberlain Center and was titled, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?: Same-sex Attraction and the Christian College.”

“Every few years as students turn over there’s a difference in the way students think” said Jordan when asked why he decided to give the talks. “What is considered “progressive” has drastically changed since I was a student twenty years ago, but even since Jill and I moved back to Houghton, I’ve seen viewpoints shift. It’s important for us to be talking about this – not only our decisions but how we’re thinking about making them.”

Houghton is sponsored by the Wesleyan Church, which has declared, as per their website, “We do not, cannot, and will not endorse homosexual activity as a lifestyle.” The site goes on to say that the denomination has arrived at this conclusion from an “overwhelming preponderance of biblical evidence.” Jordan, who has stated in chapel that he agrees with the official Wesleyan position, affirmed the importance of the Bible in the decision making process. “You need to be considering what theological tools you should be using to make what is essentially a theological decision” he said. “And as gospel people, this an issue you have to think through.”

Some students seem to agree. “I think it’s good he’s not avoiding the subject” said Emilia Gildemiester ’18. Katherine Stevick ‘19 stated, “A lot of people would prefer not to talk about it. It’s important for us to be discussing these issues and listening to each other’s viewpoints.”

Jordan originally stated in a chapel announcement  his intention to deliver three lectures. One was to be aimed towards students with a progressive viewpoint on same sex attraction, one aimed towards students who were undecided on the issue and one aimed towards those who maintain a traditional stance. The email announcement also stated that the latter two talks – aimed at those undecided and progressive have been postponed.

According to Jordan, this decision was a result of a meeting between himself and representatives of the LGBTQ community. “A group of students who are affirming of LGBTQ relationships requested to speak with me about my proposed talks” he stated. “After hearing what they had to say, I decided to put off two of talks. I want to try and honor their requests, and I want to give time for that process to happen.” Jordan said he reached an agreement with the group about the content of the first talk before he gave it on Tuesday.

Jordan said he had slightly modified the content of his first talk so that it can stand alone, but it is still covers most of the same information he originally planned for his conservative segment. He currently plans to give the second two talks later in the semester or early next year depending on when he can come to an agreement with the group of students.

“I was looking forward to all three of Dean Jordan’s talks; I think there is something for everyone to get out of all three of them no matter your viewpoint” said Casey Greene ’18. Stevick agreed and added,  “It’s always good to listen to each other.”

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Opinions

Queer Love Isn’t A Tragedy

Last semester I was invited to participate in a faculty, staff, and student focus group regarding how Houghton can best serve “same-sex attracted” students committed to celibacy. I was asked to be a part of the discussion as a representative of LGBTQ identified students who are open to same sex relationships. Other participants hoped I could provide insight into ways Houghton College, as a traditional institution, could support these students as well. However, it soon became apparent to me that, the way things stand now, Houghton College is unable to fulfill this ideal.

Mary Cronin RGB
Photo By: Anthony Burdo

Most of us wish our sexual ethics weren’t so divisive; why do the actions of adults in their own bedrooms have to affect our friendships, our politics, our faith?

Some of us may also feel disturbed by this whole matter. Why are the LGBTQ students so upset? It’s not like they’re being stoned. They’re just being asked to live by a “traditional” standard. How could that possibly be insulting or hurtful?

I won’t pretend this isn’t complicated. But I will say that if one holds a traditionalist perspective and also desires to “reach out” to LGBTQ people, perhaps try putting a camel through the eye of a needle first.

Most traditionalists (in this case, someone who thinks sexual expression ought to be limited to heterosexual marriage) do not actively advocate the physical or mental abuse of LGBTQ people. They don’t have to. The idea that being LGBTQ is a tragedy, a result of the fall, an embarrassment, an abomination, is enough. This poor theology has created a roadmap of self harm scars. It has divided families, broken up churches, and justified the removal of gifted and sincere leaders from campus ministries.

You cannot love your brothers and sisters in Christ while also viewing them as a tragedy. You certainly cannot build relationships with them.

An example: the Counseling Center recently hosted the 9th annual relationship retreat. Only opposite sex couples attended this year, as with every other year. The retreat, as always, was heavily advertised through various media, including The Star. Meanwhile, Houghton College is considering adding clarifying language to the Community Covenant which would make handholding between two men or two women suspect and grounds for a meeting in the Student Life office.

micahquoteOur community tells straight couples that their sexual desires are (or can be) beautiful, holy, worthy of public celebration. Yet it tells queer couples that one of their most human qualities, the longing to become one flesh with their beloved, is to be dealt with swiftly behind closed doors. On the one hand, affirmation and love, and on the other, shame and suspicion.

Sometimes, when I speak about this publicly, I am told that LGBTQ/ progressive students don’t have to attend Houghton. They can just leave; after all, this is a “voluntary community.” Let me remind those who are ready to post such a sentiment on YikYak that any Christian community is subject to the entire Body of Christ. When fellow Christians critique the actions of other Christians, particularly regarding issues of justice and love, the proper response is not “you’re welcome to leave,” but rather, “Please, join us at the table. Teach us how to love you.”

I know this sets up an ultimatum: values or people? I’m inclined to choose people, but I understand what’s at stake for traditionalists: their interpretation of Scripture, their churches, their whole worldview. All difficult things to question. But this community cannot last much longer sitting on the bubble, attempting to please both “sides” of this issue. There are real, vulnerable people caught in the crossfire. Christ is standing at the door, knocking; it’s time for Houghton College to open the door to LGBTQ voices.

Micah is a senior theology major.

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Campus News

Student Lecture Promotes Unity With LGBTQ Community

Micah Cronin ’17 approached the front of the recital hall stage prepared with a tongue-in-cheek self-introduction: “Many of you know me as Mary Cronin, and so you might be a little bit confused right now. It’s okay; I have not been replaced by my evil twin.”

On April 5, Cronin and Dean of the Chapel, Michael Jordan, hosted a forum entitled “Baptized into One Body: LBGTQ-Affirming Christians at Houghton College,” which aimed to spark dialogue and compassionate listening on LBGTQ, specifically transgender issues. For the first half of the forum, Cronin shared personal thoughts, convictions, and experiences with members of the college community. The evening then moved to a question and answer session where Jordan and Cronin interviewed each other using anonymous audience-submitted questions.

Cronin was raised female, but identifies as male, choosing to go by Micah and use male pronouns. Jordan chose to honor this decision despite disagreeing with it.

“I’ve agreed to call Micah by his chosen name tonight, rather than by Mary, and to use masculine pronouns when talking about him,” said Jordan. “My reasons for this are at once rather complex and at the same time very simple, because he asked me to.” Jordan explained he felt “to insist on calling Micah ‘Mary’ tonight would be like taking all my interactions with Micah and using every one of those to remind him that I disagree with him, and that’s a really hard way to build a relationship with someone.”

Cronin, who believes that the church should embrace LGBTQ-affirming Christians, cited a Pew Research Center report which found an increasing number of LBGTQ people are joining the church even as church membership decreases in the overall American population. Cronin expressed frustration with “rhetoric regarding how ‘the church’ should respond to the LBGTQ community,” insisting that this fails to grapple with the reality of the situation.

“Queer people are the church,” said Cronin. “I’ll say it again, queer people are the church.”

Cronin addressed ways in which traditional Christians can, intentionally or unintentionally, marginalize people who fall outside the heterosexual and cisgender circle. Cronin focused on a refusal to acknowledge both the complexity of the LBGTQ community and the complexity of the human beings within that community. According to Cronin, traditionalists who use outdated or inaccurately-narrow labels like “homosexual” or “same-sex attracted” to refer to the LBGTQ community send an implicitly demeaning message: “Our complexity does not matter. Our personhood does not matter. We do not matter.”

Likewise, said Cronin, reducing LBGTQ people to their sexual behavior fails to acknowledge them as human beings, “The conversation around queer people is so saturated with discussion of sex acts that it has long since passed the point of objectification.”

Colleen Shannon ’17, who attended the forum, said she appreciated “the respectful discussion, but also the direct conversation.” She said it is possible to err too far on the side of respect, to the point of ignoring an issue entirely.

Referencing an anonymous question which had referenced Cronin’s “trans-ness” (which

had prompted a joke from Cronin about the “Trans-Ness Monster”), Shannon commented on the importance of demystifying nontraditional perspectives on sexuality and gender. She said, “It’s not some mythical creature up in Scotland; this is a reality in culture, in American culture and in Christian culture and in world culture.”

Jordan said, “I think part of the message of Jesus is that we understand things about God better in relationship with other people.” Jordan said he hoped the forum and discussions like it would give students practical, relational experience that would prepare them for future interactions with people who hold differing beliefs on sexuality.

Cronin counseled traditionalists and progressives to “remember that first and foremost, anybody who has been baptized in the name of Christ and trusts in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as their hope and their salvation is a part of Christ’s body.” She continued, “ That extends to LBGTQ people, that extends to conservative people, that extends to anybody who we find inconvenient. And if we remember that, then we will actually be able to be brothers and sisters in Christ.”