Worst List: The Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth

Abilene Christian University has qualified for the Worst List because it has a past and recent history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination and most recently, implemented an aggressive, discriminatory ban on same-sex relationships for student employees (including same-sex dating) that has created an inhospitable, harmful climate.

As stated on the campus website, those student workers “asked to exemplify and support the university’s mission” — will be barred from dating people of the same sex, similar to how faculty and staff have been for years.

Campus History 

• April 2011 - Abilene Christian University's Vice President of Student Life refuses to allow the formation of a Gay-Straight-Alliance, states, "We are not going to embrace any advocacy for gay identity"
• March 2018 - Abilene Christian University bans same-sex relationships for some student employees
• March 2018 - Abilene Christian Alumni Fight Back
• April 2018 - New Abilene Christian University policy discriminates against LGBT students
• March 2019 - Abilene Christian University history professor argues that homosexuals should be excluded from the Boy Scouts of America, claims that homosexuality is "sexual perversion"

American Indian College has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX in order to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• October 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• July 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Anderson University has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX, allowing the college to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• January 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• February 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2015 – Why same-sex ruling has SC’s religious-based schools fearing loss of tax exemption

Andrews University has qualified for the Worst List because it has an extensive and well-documented history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination, including opposing student advocacy for LGBTQ homeless youth, along with banning same-sex relationships and official LGBTQ student groups.

Campus History

• March 2015 – Andrews University LGBT Bake Sale Dustup Reveals Adventism’s Issues With Homosexuality
• March 2015 – My school won’t let us sell cupcakes for homeless LGBT youth
• October 2015 – Adventist Seminary Has Trouble Getting Facts Straight in Homosexuality Statement
• August 2016 - Two Michigan colleges recognized among country's worst for LGBT students
• September 2016 - 2 local colleges rank in 'Worst Campuses for LGBTQ' list

Appalachian Bible College has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX in order to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• February 2016 – ABC President Supports Religious Exemption Bill
• June 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Arlington Baptist University has qualified for the Worst List because it has applied for an exemption to Title IX in order to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• December 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• May 2016 – Dept. of Education requests further information
• August 2016 - 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says
• August 2016 - The Nine Most Anti-LGBT Colleges in Texas
• February 2018 - Title IX exemption response from Dept. of Education under Trump Administration now stating that the letter from May 2016 requesting further information (letter from highest ranking official stating Title IX conflicts with religious tenets) is not needed for an institution in advance of claiming a religious exemption. 

This is in sharp contrast to the written letters issued from the Dept. of Education under the Obama Administration requesting additional information prior to receiving a Title IX exemption, as the letter states:  Primarily, the written "request'' for exemption from an institution is a request for assurance from OCR of exemptions to certain sections of the regulation. Religious institutions that have neither sought nor received prior written acknowledgement from OCR may still invoke their exemption after OCR receives a Title IX complaint. If, however. the College would like written acknowledgement from OCR of its exempt status, the College may submit a statement from its highest-ranking official that identifies the provisions of Title IX that conflict with the specific tenets of the controlling religious organization.

Asbury Theological Seminary has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX in order to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• November 2012 – North Georgia pastor responds to Asbury Seminary president: An UnTenable Argument
• June 2014 - What We Believe, from Asbury University
• May 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2017 - Title IX exemption granted
• August 2017 - Asbury employee signs Nashville Statement

Asbury University has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX in order to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• October 2012 - LGBT on a Christian Campus
• March 2013 – What does Asbury owe its LGBT students? First, accept that they exist
• July 2014 – An Open Letter to Asbury University, or, how I was a victim of workplace discrimination two years too early 
• January 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2016 – Special Report: Have Evangelical Colleges Succumbed To “Theological Paranoia”?
• April 2016 - Kentucky colleges seek exemption from feds on transgender bias
• June 2016 – The twisted logic of evangelical colleges welcoming straight atheists and rejecting gay Christians
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• September 2016 - Asbury should reevaluate their reasoning
• November 2016 - Some LGBT students fear the Title IX exemption

Azusa Pacific University has qualified for the Worst List because it worked to dismantle SB 1146, a California bill designed to protect LGBTQ students from discrimination at their Christian college or university.

APU Haven, the university’s current unofficial LGBTQ student group, can be reached via Facebook.

Campus History

• April 2006 – “The Table is Open,” But Are All Welcome?
• September 2013 – H. Adam Ackley, Transgender Theology Professor, Asked To Leave California’s Azusa Pacific University
• October 2013 - Students Rally Behind Ousted Trans Professor at Calif. Christian College
• September 2014 – Gay US college student gets note on first week of semester: ‘Faggots don’t belong here’
• July 2015 - Gay Marriage and the Future of Evangelical Colleges
• August 2015 – Some top Christian universities remain firm in wake of SCOTUS same-sex ruling
• April 2016 - When religion and the LGBT collegiate athlete collide
• June 2016 – Faith-based colleges say anti-discrimination bill would infringe on their religious freedom
• September 2016 – How Christian Schools Should have Spent $350K
• November 2016 - Able to breathe: This gay college football player was stifled by masculinity and Christianity
• April 2017 - This gay baseball player just came out on live TV
• July 2017 - Supervisor Sues Major Christian University Over Cover-Up of Antigay Violence
• September 2018 - Human Sexuality Statement updated and available online

Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX, allowing the college to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• June 2017 - Title IX exemption requested
• January 2018 - Title IX exemption granted

Belmont Abbey College has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX, allowing the college to discriminate against its students on the basis of gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Belmont Abbey College currently has no known LGBTQ student group.

Campus History

• January 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• February 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• December 2015 – Belmont Abbey College Misrepresents Church Teaching to Discriminate Against Trans Students
• December 2015 - LGBT group: Shame on Belmont Abbey College
• August 2016 - Eight Carolinas colleges included on ‘Shame List’ for LGBT discrimination
• January 2021 -  Being true to yourself: Alums reflect on sexuality in college life, coping and finding a niche

Bethany Global University has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX in order to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• March 2017 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Bethel College has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX, allowing the college to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• May 2015 – What It’s Like to Be Gay at a Christian College—Where It’s a Reportable Offense
• May 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• July 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• December 2015 – Bethel College granted waiver from protections for GLBT students, employees

Bethlehem College and Seminary has qualified for the Worst List because members of its staff signed onto the Nashville Statement condemning LGBTQ people and using religion-based bigotry to perpetuate stereotypes and harm toward LGBTQ youth.

Campus History

• August 2017 - BCS founder signs Nashville Statement

Biola University has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX in order to discriminate against its students on the basis of gender identity while still receiving federal funds. Biola University has also qualified for the Worst List because it worked to dismantle SB 1146, a California bill designed to protect LGBTQ students from discrimination at their Christian college or university.

Campus History

• May 2012 – Biola University’s ‘Queer Underground’ Emerges, Rattling Evangelical Faculty And Student Body
• April 2013 – Biola University Professor Equates Being LGBTQ to Being Racist, Students Demand Apology
• November 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2014 – Dept. of Education requests further information regarding exemption request
• April 2015 – LGBT students to Biola University: ‘Tell Our Stories Too’
• December 2015 – A Christian University Toughens Its Anti-LGBT Stances
• January 2016 – When Christian Schools Make Campuses Less Safe
• February 2016 – Students Picket Christian Colleges Seeking ‘Right to Discriminate’
• February 2016 – How Christian Universities Are Becoming a Battleground for LGBT Rights
• May 2016 – Biolans’ Equal Ground calls on President of Biola University to immediately withdraw Title IX religious exemption
• June 2016 – Accustomed to Privilege: A Response to Biola University’s SB 1146 Opposition
• June 2016 – Fear-Mongering From Religious University over LGBT Protections
• June 2016 – Faith-based colleges say anti-discrimination bill would infringe on their religious freedom
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• September 2016 – How Christian Schools Should have Spent $350K
• March 2017 - We first battled over LGBT and religious rights. Here’s how we became unlikely friends.
• June 2017 - LGBT advocates at private colleges vow to stand strong after DeVos wavers on protections
• August 2017 - Biola employees sign Nashville Statement
• August 2017 - Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing: How LGBTQ Oppression Masquerades As ‘Love’ On Non-Affirming Christian Campuses