Christian Tennessee school bans homosexuality

By Kim H.

That almost sounds like the headline for an Onion article but unfortunately it’s true; a private Christian school in Tennessee, Rossville Christian Academy, has outrageously implemented a new policy banning everything related to homosexuality:

“Homosexuality is forbidden in scripture (Romans 1:27, Leviticus 18:22). A staff member or student who promotes, engages in, or identifies himself/​herself with such activity through any word or action shall be in violation of this policy. Should the administration determine a violation of this policy, the person involved will be subject to disciplinary action with the possibility of permanent dismissal. Any applicant who is not in compliance with this policy will not be admitted.”

Talk about ambiguous. What would constitute promoting homosexuality? Does watching Glee count? David Badash of The New Civil Rights Movement points out:

On their website’s front page, Rossville Christian Academy states:

“Rossville Christian Academy exists to challenge a diverse student body through high academic standards, seeking to instill and inspire Christian virtues in a safe and nurturing environment.”

Apparently, their “diverse student body” cannot include homosexuals.

University of Memphis Law Professor Steve Mulroy, who has fought for gay rights in Shelby County, says that this policy is entirely legal because there’s no anti-discrimination law in Tennessee, or federal law for that mater, that protects gay people. “If this were a government school, a public school, there might be a free speech problem to the extent that it says ‘any word or action promoting it,’ but there’s really no legal problem I see with this… Not only is this a private organization, it’s also a private religious organization, so it would probably have even more latitude under the law to have its policies about gays be whatever they want it to be” said Mulroy.

I would love to distribute this to the students and faculty at Rossville. Time and time again I am confounded by the hatred and bigotry displayed by those who supposedly identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ, someone who constantly reminded people: “ Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. I doubt he meant “Love thy neighbor! Oh except for homosexuals. And poor people. Tax breaks for the rich!!” But I digress.

Badash mentions that a Tennessee high school student named Jacob Rogers took his life earlier this month after years of anti-gay bullying that friends say went ignored by local school officials. How many others will die because of the hateful mindset perpetuated by policies like the one at Rossville?

If you’d like to call the school, as I plan on doing, they can be reached at (901) 853-0200.