Belmont is hardly the first Christian college or university to confront pressure to reconcile religious doctrine with evolving views on sexual orientation and gender identity. What can Belmont learn from other schools? In an opinion piece in this morning's City Paper, I briefly mention the academically prestigious examples of Notre Dame and Georgetown.
Notre Dame has struggled with this issue for years. Earlier this year there was a protest at its main gate by students, faculty and local residents, who "placed thick strips of purple tape over their mouths to symbolize what organizers say is the silence forced upon gay, lesbian and bisexual students by the lack of explicit protection under University policy and the absence of a recognized student organization that represents their interests" (as reported by ND's own alumni magazine).
