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

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

Blue Mountain 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 or marital status while still receiving federal funds.

Blue Mountain College currently has no known LGBTQ student group.

Campus History

• August 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• October 2015 – Title IX exemption granted

Bob Jones 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. They also have an extensive and well-documented history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination, including expelling students who come out and banning same-sex relationships and  official LGBTQ student groups.

Campus History

• October 1992 – Warren Denning banned from campus
• September 1995 – Rich Merritt removed from alumni association
• October 1999 – Lance Weldy removed from alumni association
• April 2009 – Elena Kelly removed from alumni association
• April 2012 - S.C. Man: I Was Kicked Out of College for Watching Glee
• June 2012 Bob Jones University LGBT Alumni Organize and March in NYC LGBT Pride
• June 2012 – David Diachenko Forms LGBT Support Group at Bob Jones University, Fundamentalist Christian College
• July 2012 – Paula Bass’s story
• November 2013 – Rachel Sherwin’s story
• March 2015 – Petition seeks Bob Jones U. apology on anti-gay remarks
• April 2015 – LGBT group isn’t stopping at Bob Jones’ apology for stone-the-gays remark
• May 2015 – Anti-Gay Groups Gear Up To Fight A 30-Year-Old Supreme Court Victory Over Racism
• April 2016 – Title IX exemption request to discriminate against women filed
• June 2016 – Title IX exemption on women granted
• February 2017 - Liberty and Bob Jones universities may run afoul of Obama Title IX protections for LGBT
• April 2017 - Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017- Title IX exemption granted

Boston Baptist 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

• July 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Brewton Parker 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

• May 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Brigham Young University has qualified for the Worst List because it has an established and well-documented history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination that endangers victims of sexual assault and has resulted in a call for it to not be included as a Big 12 school.

Campus History

• March 2011 – Mormon ‘Gay Cure’ Study Used Electric Shocks Against Homosexual Feelings
• May 2014 – The pain of being gay and Mormon at BYU
• March 2015 – Ex-BYU student settles eviction lawsuit with apartment after gay attraction dispute
• August 2015 – BYU ranked among the least LGBT-friendly campuses
• August 2016 – Will The Very Anti-Gay, Mormon-Owned Brigham Young University Be Allowed to Join The Big 12 Conference?
• August 2016 – Students: BYU Honor Code leaves LGBT victims of sexual assault vulnerable and alone
• November 2016 - LGBT BYU students explain why they chose to attend and stay
• November 2016 - LGBT students explain why they chose to leave BYU
• January 2017 - Study shows LGBT BYU students at higher risk for depression, suicide

Brigham Young University-Idaho 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.

Campus History

• November 2015 – Conversion Therapy Event at BYU-I Axed
• November 2015 – My Life At BYU-I As a Gay Mormon
• February 2016 – Rexburg reacts to the LGBT suicides
• February 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• March 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• July 2017 - Mormon university instructor fired after Facebook post supporting LGBT rights, she says

Bryan 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 or gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• December 2014 – Little Lion Man: A Bryan College Story
• October 2015 – Christian college implements 48-hour prior review policy for student newspaper after gay marriage ruling
• February 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• October 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Cairn 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 and gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• February 2013 - Cairn University hosts "ex-gay" speaker Christopher Yuan
• November 2014 - Petition calls for US college to revoke honorary degree from anti-gay pastor
• October 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

California Baptist 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.

Campus History

• April 2006 – Being Christian and Gay Aren’t at Odds, Group Says
• April 2014 – Transgender woman sues Christian university that expelled her
• July 2014 - California court rules it's okay to expel a student for being transgender
• September 2016 – How Christian Schools Should have Spent $350K

Carson-Newman 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

• October 2010 – GLBT alumni of Carson-Newman College join forces
• May 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• July 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• December 2015 – Christian University in Tennessee Can Legally Bar LGBT Students
• December 2015 – Alumni pair ask Carson-Newman to revoke Title IX waiver

Catholic University of America has qualified for the Worst List because it has an extensive and well-documented history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination.

Campus History

• December 2009 - Gay group carves out niche at Catholic University
• December 2012 - No LGBT group at Catholic U.
• June 2013 - Being gay at a Catholic University
• February 2017 - LGBTQ campus group again seeking recognition from Catholic University of America

Cedarville University has qualified for the Worst List because it has a pending Title IX exemption request which acknowledges the college request to discriminate against its students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity while still receiving federal funds. Members of its staff have also signed onto the Nashville Statement condemning LGBTQ people and using religion-based bigotry to perpetuate stereotypes and harm toward LGBTQ youth.

Campus History

• April 2014 - Christian College Shuts Down LGBT-Friendly Student Paper
• June 2015 - Cedarville University President condemns same-sex marriage ruling in email to faculty and staff
• July 2015 - Despite 2015 SCOTUS ruling on same-sex marriage, evangelical colleges prohibit same-sex relationships
• August 2017 - Cedarville staff, including president, sign Nashville Statement
• March 2018 - Title IX exemption request filed
• June 2018 - Dept. of Education response letter requests further information and states that a Title IX exemption is not required (as interpreted by the DOE under the Trump Administration) in advance of claiming an exemption.  Seemingly the letter discourages any campus from seeking a Title IX exemption unless there is a Title IX reported complaint.

Central Christian College of the Bible 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

• April 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Charleston Southern 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

• August 2013 – Gay Christian Student Removed From Work-Study Position At South Carolina University
• August 2013 – New petition begs Charleston Southern University to protect LGBT students
• August 2014 – One year later, MTV follows up with fired gay Christian student
• December 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• February 2015 – Title IX exemption granted

Charlotte Christian College and 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

• June 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Clarks Summit University has qualified for the Worst List because it has a documented history as well as a 2018 public act of anti-LGBTQ discrimination not allowing a former student to re-enroll into the university because he is gay.

Campus History

• September 2018 - Turned Away for Being Gay

Clear Creek Baptist Bible 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

• February 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• March 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

The College of Biblical Studies 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

• August 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

College of the Ozarks 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 2008 - Former students share experience of homophobia at College of the Ozarks
• June 2017 - Title IX exemption requested
• January 2018 - Title IX exemption granted

Colorado Christian 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.

Campus History

• April 2012 – 5 Soulforce Equality Riders busted for “Bible study” at Colorado Christian University
• November 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2014 – Dept. of Education requests further information regarding exemption request
• January 2015 – CCU provides further information regarding exemption request
• April 2015 – Western Conservative Summit disinvites GOP gay group
• June 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• March 2017 - CCU’s Centennial Institute launches ‘Beauty and the Beast’ boycott over ‘gay moment’
• August 2017 - CCU president signs Nashville Statement

Columbia International University, previously called The Southern Bible Institute and Columbia Bible College & Columbia Biblical 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, or marital status while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• Spring 2013 - Dean of Columbia International University College of Counseling publishes article on "Overcoming Same-Sex Attraction"
• June 2017 - Title IX exemption requested
• January 2018 - Title IX exemption granted

Compass College of Cinematic Arts 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 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Concordia University Irvine 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.

• August 2013 – Gays protest Exodus forum at Concordia
• June 2016 – An Important Message Regarding SB 1146 from President Krueger
• June 2016 – LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill Stirs Controversy at Religious Schools
• October 2016 – Final Thoughts on SB 1146 from CUI

Corban 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, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion. It also has an extensive and well-documented history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination, including employing faculty who specialize in "unwanted same-sex attractions," along with banning same-sex relationships and official LGBTQ student groups.

Student stories can be read here.

Campus History

• April 1977 - Title IX exemption request filed
• August 1985 - Title IX exemption granted
• March 2014 - Corban hosts anti-LGBT speaker Mark Yarhouse
• July 2014 - Corban names professor specializing in "unwanted same-sex attractions" to chair of Psychology department
• March 2018 - Corban University welcomes Dr. Sprinkel who shares " “The good news isn’t that God can make you straight; the good news is that God can make you holy because of the risen Christ.” 
• April 2019 - Gay conversion therapy and Corban University

Covenant 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 or gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• April 2007 – Four Equality Riders arrested in Georgia
• January 2014 – Covenant College censored my alumni update
• May 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• July 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• February 2016 – How Christian Universities Are Becoming A Battleground For LGBT Rights
• February 2016 – Students Call for Greater LGBT Awareness on Campus

Criswell 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

• September 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2016 – Dept. of Education requests further information regarding exemption request
• March 2016 – Criswell provides further information regarding exemption request
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2016 - 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says

Crown 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

• November 2011 – An Open Letter to Evangelical College Students
• May 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Dallas Baptist 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

• September 2016 - Title IX exemption filed
• February 2018 - Title IX exemption granted

Dallas 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. Members of its staff have also signed onto the Nashville Statement condemning LGBTQ people and using religion-based bigotry to perpetuate stereotypes and harm toward LGBTQ youth.

Campus History

• August 2016 - DTS president signs letter against SB 1146
• August 2017 - DTS staff, including president, sign Nashville Statement
• November 2017 - Title IX exemption requested
• April 2018 - Title IX exemption granted

Dordt 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 gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• March 2007 – Equality Ride bus defaced during Dordt College stop, first stop on East Bus
• March 2007 – Dordt College welcomes Equality Riders for friendly, open & Christian dialogue
• March 2007 – Dordt College issues statement of regret over incident involving gays
• December 2011 – Rick Santorum Has Tense Exchange on Gay Rights and Health Care at Dordt College
• October 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• September 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

East Texas Baptist 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

• February 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• May 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• May 2016 – BGCT leader underscores opposition to gay marriage, transgenderism
• August 2016 - 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says

Elim Bible Institute and 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

• December 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017- Title IX exemption granted

Emmanuel 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

• June 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted 
• Current 2019 - Student handbook policy on Homosexual Behavior
• Current 2019 - Student handbook policy on Gender Identity

Erskine 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 

• March 2015 - Erskine College's President discusses views on the LGBT community after two volleyball players came out as gay
• September 2017 - Title IX exemption requested
• January 2018 - Title IX exemption granted

Evangel 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 2016 - Samuel's story
• March 2017 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2018 - Title IX exemption granted

Faith Baptist Bible College and 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 gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• November 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Faith International University 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 - FIU staff signs Nashville Statement

Family of Faith Christian 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, and pregnancy while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• November 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Florida 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 or marital status while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• July 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Franciscan University of Steubenville 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.

Campus History

• August 2012 – Catholic University in Ohio Has Anti-Gay Pseudo-Science Course, Threatens LGBT Alumni Who Exposed It
• August 2012 – Ohio Catholic University Threatens LGBT Alumni For Exposing Anti-Gay Curriculum
• September 2012 – College Course Lumps Homosexuality, Rape, Murder
• September 2012 – Franciscan University Deviant Behavior Class Equates Homosexuality With Rape, Murder
• August 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• October 2014 – Title IX exemption granted

Freed-Hardeman 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

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

Fresno Pacific 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 gender identity while still receiving federal funds. Fresno Pacific 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

• April 2007 – Fresno Pacific University Faculty Reaches Out to Equality Riders for Resolutions; Young Adults Bring Discussion of Christian Faith and LGBT Issues
• June 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• September 2015 – Fresno Pacific president’s statement about gay marriage causes strong reactions
• October 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• June 2016 – FPU opposes SB 1146
• August 2016 - Fresno Pacific on ‘shame list’ of colleges said to discriminate against LGBT students

Gateway 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 2016 - Gateway president signs letter against SB 1146
• August 2017 - Gateway president signs Nashville Statement

Geneva 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. Geneva College has also hosted multiple "ex-gay" speakers on campus.

Campus History

• September 2013 – The Geneva Cabinet Does Series On Homosexuality
• August 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• September 2015 – Christopher Yuan Speaks at Geneva
• October 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• April 2016 – Rosaria Butterfield Presents “Sexual Identity and Union With Christ”
• June 2016 – Faces of Faith: LGBTQ Students at Christian Colleges

George Fox 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 gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• March 2012 – George Fox Alums Speak Out Against School’s Anti-Gay Policies
• November 2012 – University grapples with sensitive topic of openly gay students
• March 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• April 2014 – Ore. Trans Student Sues Christian University Over On-Campus Housing Denial
• May 2014 – Title IX exemption granted
• July 2014 – How A University Used A Religious Exemption To Discriminate Against A Transgender Student
• July 2014 – How LGBT Students Are Changing Christian Colleges
• July 2014 – Housing Dispute Puts Quaker University at Front of Fight Over Transgender Issues
• December 2015 – Federal Funding Is Not a Form of Religious Liberty
• September 2016 - 2 Oregon universities on list of 'absolute worst campuses' for LGBTQ students

Gordon College has qualified for the Worst List because it has a long and well-documented history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination, including the administration’s retaliation against a professor who criticized the school’s ban on hiring sexually active LGBTQ people; and college president Michael Lindsay’s request for a religious exemption to President Barack Obama’s non-discrimination executive order to protect LGBTQ students under Title IX.

Campus History

• July 2014 – Gordon College leader joins request for exemption to hiring rule
• March 2015 – Gordon College Reaffirms Ban on Students, Faculty Engaging in Extramarital Sex, Homosexuality
• May 2016 – Professor sues Christian college after she floated ‘economic sanctions’ for its LGBT policy
• June 2016 – Gordon College continues grappling with LGBT issues
• March 2017 - Second professor sues Gordon College for discrimination in her work with LGBT community
• April 2017 - Christian College’s Entire Faculty Senate Resigns After Professor Denied Promotion For Supporting LGBT Rights

Grace Christian University (formerly Grace 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 and gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• November 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Grove City College 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 - GCC staff sign Nashville Statement

Hannibal-LaGrange 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

• March 2014 – Gay Student Says He Was Rejected From College After Coming Out
• April 2015 – Hobby Lobby employee visits HLGU as controversy surrounds religious freedom laws
• August 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• October 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• December 2015 – Waivers Allowing Christian Schools To Ban LGBT Students Spike In 2015

Hardin-Simmons 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

• October 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• May 2016 – BGCT leader underscores opposition to gay marriage, transgenderism
• August 2016 - 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says

Harding 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

• March 2011 – The State of the Gay at Harding University
• March 2011 – Arkansas University Blocks Queer Zine
• April 2011 – Even on Religious Campuses, Students Fight for Gay Identity
• June 2011 – Coming Out On a Christian Campus, Then and Now
• April 2014 – Op-ed: I’m a Gay Guy at a Christian College
• July 2014 – The Exciting Rise of Christian College LGBT Groups — And What They Mean for the Future
• February 2016 – McLarty Address LGBT Policies, Views at Harding
• May 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• August 2016 - Campus 'shame' list includes two Arkansas colleges
• January 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Erskine 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, or marital status while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

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

Howard Payne 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

• March 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• April 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• March 2016 – LGBT Groups Demand NCAA Divest From Christian Colleges Seeking Title IX Exemptions
• August 2016 - 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says

Indiana Wesleyan 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, or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• January 1998 – A Letter From an Alumni of Indiana Wesleyan University
  February 2012 – Washington state allows same-sex marriage: Where does IWU fall?
• February 2014 – SGA talks LGBTQ
• December 2014 – President Wright speaks on new LGBTQ policy
• December 2015 – IWU President Worries Over Impact of Religious Freedom Battles
• March 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• April 2016 - IWU has an anti-gay problem; boosting Gov. Mike Pence doesn't help.
• May 2016 – Dept. of Education requests further information regarding exemption request
• June 2016 – IWU provides further information regarding exemption request
• January 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

John Paul the Great Catholic 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. John Paul the Great Catholic 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

• August 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• June 2016 – Statement to Sen. Lara Opposing SB 1146
• July 2016 – Bill: No LGBT Bias at Religious Schools

Judson 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

• February 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• April 2015 – Title IX exemption granted

Erskine 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 

• December 2016 - Title IX exemption requested
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Kentucky Mountain 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

• July 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

LABI 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

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

Lancaster 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 or gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• June 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2016 - Lancaster Bible College named among 'absolute worst' campuses for LGBT students

Liberty University has qualified for the Worst List because it has a long and well-documented history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination, including placing students in conversion therapy; denying tuition discounts to same-sex and trans spouses of military personnel, despite offering those discounts to heterosexual and cisgender spouses; and a formal affiliation with the dangerously anti-LGBTQ Liberty Counsel.

Campus History

• March 2006 – Gay Rights Activists Arrested at Liberty University
• March 2006 – 24 Soulforce protesters (including me) arrested at Falwell’s Liberty U.
• September 2008 – Liberty to allow gay group to visit campus
• December 2014 – 10 Things You Should Know About the Rabidly Anti-LGBT Liberty Counsel
• November 2015 – Liberty University Denies Tuition Discounts to LGBT Military Spouses
• January 2016 – Donald Trump picks up a key evangelical endorsement
• June 2016 – Liberty University deletes section on gays from psychology textbook
• August 2016 - Campus Pride releases Shame List of worst colleges for LGBT students
• October 2016 - Liberty University students issue scathing criticism of Trump and school president
• January 2017 - Campus Pride denounces President of Liberty University Jerry Falwell, Jr
• February 2017 - Trump Taps LGBT Foe Jerry Falwell to Head Education Task Force
• February 2017 - Liberty and Bob Jones universities may run afoul of Obama Title IX protections for LGBT
• March 2017 - Donald Trump Giving Commencement Speech At University That Bans LGBT Students
• April 2017 - Former college athlete on surviving conversion therapy and gay ‘exorcism’
• August 2017 - Liberty employees sign Nashville Statement
• June 2020 - Falwell’s son, current Liberty President Falwell Jr., has been less vocal on the subject of LGBTQ relationships than his father, although members of the school's LGBTQ community staged a protest on campus in 2019 when Falwell made comments they decried as transphobic. The school also made Campus Pride’s “worst list” for LGBTQ youth as recently as 2017, and Liberty’s code of conduct — known as the “Liberty Way” — still explicitly forbids sexual relations "outside of a biblically-ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman.”

Life Pacific College 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. Life Pacific College has also 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

• August 2016 – Opposing SB 1146 at Life Pacific College
• November 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Louisiana 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

• April 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• July 2015 – Second exemption request filed
• July 2015 – Title IX exemption granted

Lutheran Brethren 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

• February 2018 – Title IX exemption request filed
• March 2018 – Title IX exemption granted

Manhattan Christian 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

• November 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• April 2016 – Second exemption request filed
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Maranatha Baptist 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

• February 2012 - MBU requests Title IX exemption
• June 2013 - DOE grants exemption

Midwestern Baptist 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

• October 2014 - Midwestern Seminary President's essay on same-sex marriage
• October 2015 - Southern Baptist Conference: ‘Struggling’ LGBT People Can Change Through Christ
• March 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• July 2016 - Midwestern Seminary professor counters "born this way" narrative in book
• July 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2017 - MBTS employees, including president, sign Nashville Statement

Mississippi 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

• March 2007 - Gay Rights Activists Protest MC
• October 2008 - Soulforce Does MC, Again
• September 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• October 2015 – Title IX exemption granted

Missouri Baptist 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

• June 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2016 – Dept. of Education requests further information regarding exemption request
• March 2016 – MBU provides further information regarding exemption request
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Moody Bible Institute 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. In addition, the campus employs faculty who promote harmful "ex-gay" conversion therapy.

Campus History

• MBI employs "ex-gay" icon Christopher Yuan
• August 2017 - Moody employees, including president, sign Nashville Statement

Multnomah 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.

Campus History

• February 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2015 – A Portland University Wants Federal Permission to Ban Transgender Students
• December 2015 – Protesters gather at Multnomah University demonstrating against Title IX exemption
• December 2015 – Federal Funding Is Not a Form of Religious Liberty
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• September 2016 - 2 Oregon universities on list of 'absolute worst campuses' for LGBTQ students

New Orleans Baptist Theological 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 2016 - NOBTS president signs letter against SB 1146
• August 2017 - NOBTS staff, including president, sign Nashville Statement

North Greenville 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

• December 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• May 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2015 – Why same-sex ruling has SC’s religious-based schools fearing loss of tax exemption
• August 2016 – Bob Jones president and others ask Haley for help on transgender bathroom issue
• August 2016 - Eight Carolinas colleges included on ‘Shame List’ for LGBT discrimination

Northpoint Bible 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

• September 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• May 2016 – Rep. Clark introduces law to list schools asking for LGBT exemptions
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Northwest Nazarene 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

• July 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• August 2014 – Title IX exemption granted

• June 2014 - Nyack College president signs letter to President Obama requesting religious exemption from LGBT protections for hiring
• December 2015 - Christian College Coach Assaulted, Harassed, and Outed Gay Students: Lawsuit
• December 2015 - Nyack College cancels ceremony in face of LGBT protests

Oak Hills Christian 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.

• July 2015 - Students & faculty at Oak Hills Christian College required to agree to a purity statement that discusses LGBTQ 'attitudes & actions'
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Ohio Christian 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.

Campus History

• June 2014 – Ohio Board Of Education Member Calls On Religious Right To Take Over Education
• May 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2015 – More Religious Schools Seek Right to Discriminate Against LGBT Students
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Oklahoma Baptist 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

• March 2006 – Students Use Spring Break to Fight Schools’ Anti-Gay Policies
• March 2007 – Equality Riders Arrested at Oklahoma Baptist University; Administration Reneges on Last Year’s Promise to Protect LGBT Students
• March 2012 – Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group holds demonstration at Oklahoma Baptist University
• November 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2014 – Title IX exemption granted
• February 2016 – Students Picket Christian Colleges Seeking ‘Right to Discriminate’
• May 2016 – Birthing a Bison: Building Student Power in Hostile Environments
• June 2016 – Faces of Faith: LGBTQ Students at Christian Colleges
• July 2016 – How Title IX exemptions force LGBT students to suffer in silence

Oklahoma Christian 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 or gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• September 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• October 2014 – Title IX exemption granted
• February 2017 - Oklahoma Christian featured on gay-rights group shame list

Oklahoma Wesleyan 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 gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• November 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2014 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2015 - Oklahoma Wesleyan and Union U. Quit CCCU Over Same-Sex Marriage Moves
• January 2016 - Oklahoma Wesleyan President's Anti-trans Policy Denounced as 'Despicable' 
• January 2016 - Oklahoma Wesleyan University President Says He is “Proud” to Discriminate Against Transgender People
• September 2016 - Two colleges stand by HB2, will not send teams to championships moved out of North Carolina
• May 2017 - President Everett Piper speaks at anti-LGBT hate group World Congress of Families
• August 2017 - OWU president signs Nashville Statement

Oral Roberts 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 2006 - Oral Roberts University Sends Mixed Message to Gays: We Love You All; Do Not Come Onto Our Campus
• April 2011 - A Gay Grandson to an Evangelical Empire
• March 2016 - Fitbit helps a conservative evangelical college monitor students' sexual activity
• April 2016 - Former ORU student says school is blocking her re-admission over her marriage to a woman
• September 2016 - Oral Roberts grandson speaks on erasure of gay uncle
• October 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted
• December 2018 - Gay student endures conversion therapy at Oral Roberts University

Ozark Christian 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

• November 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Phoenix 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 - Phoenix staff, including president, sign Nashville Statement

Point Loma Nazarene 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.

Campus History

• December 2012 - LGBTQ Club Denied Charter at Point Loma Nazarene University
• November 2014 - PLNU expects celibacy when hiring LGBT
• September 2015 - PLNU says 'no more' to on-campus wedding ceremonies after SCOTUS gay marriage ruling
• August 2016 - Point Loma, 101 others, take their spots on the anti-LGBT college 'Shame List'
• August 2016 - State senator drops proposal that angered religious universities in California
• September 2016 – PLNU Donates $50,000 to fight Senate Bill 1146

Randall 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 and gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• September 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Reformation Bible College 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 - RBC president signs Nashville Statement

Reformed Theological 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 - Members of RTS staff, including CEO, sign Nashville Statement

Regent University 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 - Regent staff signs Nashville Statement

Rhema Bible Training 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, or gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• January 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• March 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Shepherds 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 or gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• November 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Shorter 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

• October 2011 - Shorter University faculty leaving over new lifestyle statements; one employee speaks out
• May 2012 - Shorter University’s ‘Personal Lifestyle Statement’ Which Bans Gay Employees Leads To Faculty Exodus
• January 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• May 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Simpson 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 gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• October 2013 – Title IX exemption request filed
• May 2014 – Title IX exemption granted
• May 2016 - Senate bill says religion no excuse for LGBT discrimination
• August 2016 - Simpson unlikely to be sued for LGBT discrimination after bill change, school says

Southeastern Baptist 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

• December 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2016 - Eight Carolinas colleges included on ‘Shame List’ for LGBT discrimination
• August 2017 - SEBTS employees, including president, sign Nashville Statement

Southeastern 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 or gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• October 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• August 2016 – Southeastern University provides further information regarding exemption
• January 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

Southern Evangelical Seminary has qualified for the Worst List because its president 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 - SES president signs Nashville Statement

Southern Nazarene 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 gender identity or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• November 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Southern Wesleyan 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 gender identity, pregnancy or receipt of abortion while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• May 2013 - Professor fired for supporting LGBT student group
• January 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• March 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2015 - Why same-sex ruling has SC’s religious-based schools fearing loss of tax exemption
• August 2016 - Eight Carolinas colleges included on ‘Shame List’ for LGBT discrimination

Southwest Baptist 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

• April 2010 - Soulforce Equality Ride comes to SBU
• July 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• July 2015 – Title IX exemption granted

Southwestern Assemblies of God 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 2008 - 3 Soulforce Equality Riders arrested on SAGU campus
• January 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2016 - 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says
• September 2016 - SAGU releases statement regarding Campus Pride ‘Shame List’

Southwestern Baptist Theological 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 - SWBTS staff sign Nashville Statement

Southwestern Christian University has qualified for the Worst List because it expelled a lesbian student for marrying another woman.

Campus History

• July 2014 - Christian Minard, Southwestern Christian University, Reportedly Expelled After Marrying Same-Sex Partner
• July 2014 - Southwestern Christian University Responds After Gay Student Expelled

Spring Arbor 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, or gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• June 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• June 2014 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2014 - Religious University President: We Want Permission To Discriminate But We Won’t Use It
• August 2016 - Two Michigan colleges recognized among country's worst for LGBT students

St. Gregory’s 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 gender identity while still receiving federal funds.  Based on online records from 2017, the university no longer exists.

Campus History

• March 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• March 2015 – 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

• August 2017 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2018 – Title IX exemption granted

Tabor 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.

Campus History

• December 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• November 2015 - Eyeing the pastorate, gay student leaving Tabor
• January 2016 - Tabor "Love" Letter and Angry Activists

The Baptist College of Florida 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

• December 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2014 – Title IX exemption granted

The Master’s 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 or marital status while still receiving federal funds. The Master’s 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

• February 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• July 2016 – Master’s College president opposes SB 1146
• September 2016 – Dept. of Education requests further information regarding exemption request
• January 2017 - Title IX exemption granted
• August 2017 - Master's employees, including president, sign Nashville Statement

The Southern Baptist Theological 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

• October 2015 - Southern Baptist Conference: ‘Struggling’ LGBT People Can Change Through Christ
• August 2016 - SBTS president signs letter against SB 1146
• August 2017 - SBTS employees, including president, sign Nashville Statement

Toccoa Falls 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

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

Trinity Baptist 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 and gender identity while still receiving federal funds.

Campus History

• March 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• February 2028 - Title IX exemption granted 

Trinity Bible 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

• April 2007 - College demonstration leads to arrests of three
• October 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• May 2016 – TBC requests response from Dept. of Education
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Trinity International University has qualified for the Worst List because a member of its staff signed onto the Nashville Statement condemning LGBTQ people and using religion-based bigotry to perpetuate stereotypes and harm toward LGBTQ youth. In addition, TIU worked to dismantle SB 1146.

Campus History

• August 2016 - TIU president signs letter against SB 1146
• August 2017 - TIU staff signs Nashville Statement

Truett McConnell-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

• May 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• June 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Union 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

• November 2008 - "Locked Out of My Own School:" Equality Ride Visits Union University
• January 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• March 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2015 - Oklahoma Wesleyan and Union U. Quit CCCU Over Same-Sex Marriage Moves
• August 2017 - UU employees, including president, sign Nashville Statement
• July 2020 - UU revokes student’s admission after learning he’s gay

University of Dallas 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.

Campus History

• May 2015 - University Of Dallas Student Demands School’s President Apologize For Anti-Gay Commencement Speech
• July 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• January 2016 – Dept. of Education requests further information regarding exemption request
• August 2016 - 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says
• September 2016 – University of Dallas provides further information regarding exemption request
• January 2017 - Title IX exemption granted

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 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
• March 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2016 - 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says

University of Mobile 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

• March 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• May 2015 – Title IX exemption granted

University of Northwestern-St. Paul 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 – Title IX exemption request filed
• September 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

University of the Cumberlands 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 2006 - Gay Student Expelled from U. the Cumberlands; School May Lose Funding
• March 2007 - Three arrested during Soulforce demonstration
• July 2009 - UC officials mum about turning choir away for LGBT affirming beliefs
• April 2010 - State Supreme Court strikes down aid to religious school
• January 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• March 2015 – Title IX exemption granted

Vanguard 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.

The institution previously known as Southern California College had a Title IX religious exemption related to marital status and pregnancy while still receiving federal funds.  In 2016, Vanguard University requested in a letter to the Department of Education to withdraw the campus 1988 exemption request and the request to withdraw the exemption was granted.

Campus History

• October 2014 - LGBTQ Advocates Call on County to Nix Partnership with Christian College
• June 2016 - Vanguard President Speaks Out Against SB 1146

Virginia Baptist College (aka Veritas Baptist 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

• February 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• May 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

Wayland Baptist 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

• August 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• October 2015 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2016 - 9 Texas colleges rank among the 'absolute worst' for LGBT students, gay rights group says

West Coast Baptist College 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.

Campus History

• August 2016 - WCBC opposes SB 1146

Westminster Seminary California 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

• March 2016 – Title IX exemption request filed
• August 2016 - Provost signs letter against SB 1146
• October 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2017 - Westminster staff signs Nashville Statement

Westminster Theological 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 - Westminster staff sign Nashville Statement

Westmont College 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. The campus also has an extensive and well-documented history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination.

Campus History

• Alumni testimony - Why I Went to Westmont
• February 2011 - An Open Letter to the Westmont Community
• February 2011 - Gay alumni question policy of Christian college in Montecito
• February 2011 - At Westmont College, The Goal Isn’t Forming a GSA. It’s Being Able To ‘Practice Homosexuality’
• February 2011 - Open letter to LGBT Westmont Alumni from Westmont Faculty
• February 2012 - Christian college presidents "discuss" what to do about sexuality
• April 2013 - LGBTQ Student Experience at Westmont College
• May 2015 - Evolution, LGBTQIA Justice, and Westmont College’s Community Life Statement
• September 2015 - Westmont’s Student-Run LGBTQ Nonprofit Looks Outward
• March 2016 - Students Rally to End LGBT Discrimination at Westmont College
• August 2016 - Westmont Opposes Bill to Protect LGBTQ Students
• September 2016 - Holding Christian Colleges to the Fire

Wheaton College has qualified for the Worst List because it has an extensive and well-documented history of anti-LGBTQ discrimination.

Campus History

• February 2014 - Wheaton Students Protest 'Train Wreck Conversion' Speaker's Ex-Gay Testimony
• May 2014 - "More Than A Single Story": The Unheard LGBTQ Voices Of Wheaton College
• February 2015 - Christian College Student Attacked With Apple for Questioning Treatment of Gays
• February 2015 - A plea to straight Christians
• July 2015 - Lesbian Chaplain Publicly Endorses Marriage Equality, Quits Conservative Christian College
• January 2016 - Inside the secret gay movement at one of America’s most homophobic colleges
• February 2016 - How a Leading Christian College Turned Against Its Gay Leader

William Carey University has qualified for the Worst List because it holds an exemption to Title IX, allowing the university 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 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• November 2015 – Second exemption request filed
• January 2016 – Title IX exemption granted

William Jessup 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. William Jessup 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; they also have faced allegations of expelling a student for being gay.

Campus History

• May 2014 - College athlete: I was kicked out of William Jessup Univ. for being gay
• June 2014 - Read the letter Christian school William Jessup Univ. sent to faculty and staff about expelled gay athlete Anthony Villarreal
• April 2015 – Title IX exemption request filed
• April 2016 – WJU requests response from Dept. of Education
• August 2016 – Title IX exemption granted
• August 2016 - This gay former college athlete is helping push a state bill to limit power of Christian colleges
• August 2016 - WJU president signs letter against SB 1146

Williams Baptist University (former Williams Baptist College and Southern Baptist 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

• November 2014 – Title IX exemption request filed
• December 2014 – Title IX exemption granted
• January 2019 - WBU Student handbook states: "Based on our understanding of biblical standards, the values of the University community do not condone sexual impropriety, such as the use of pornography, pre-marital sex, adultery, co-habitation on or off campus, homosexual activity including same-sex dating behaviors, and all other sexual relations outside the bounds of marriage between a man and a woman. Williams does not endorse or approve of the trans-gendered lifestyle."