North Carolina private school institutes policy to ban LGBT children and families

Myrtle Grove Christian School's "Biblical morality policy" includes a clause to deny admissions to gay families

Published November 22, 2013 2:40PM (EST)

Myrtle Grove Christian School President J. Stacey Miller   (MGCS)
Myrtle Grove Christian School President J. Stacey Miller (MGCS)

A private Christian school in North Carolina has instituted a "Biblical morality policy" that empowers school administrators to expel or reject admissions applications from LGBT children, the children of LGBT parents, or any family suspected of "participating in, supporting, or affirming sexual immorality, homosexual activity, or bisexual activity."

The policy of active discrimination against children and families in the school's community is not intended as a "statement of condemnation," Myrtle Grove Christian School president J. Stacy Miller stated in a letter announcing the change to parents, but an opportunity to "stand firmly on the truth of the Holy Bible."

More from the letter:

An integral part of Myrtle Grove Christian School’s mission is to foster spiritual development and a biblical worldview in the lives of its students. This includes leading students to develop a biblical understanding of morality and to pursue a life that is governed by the biblical moral code. The school works in partnership with families to achieve these desired outcomes, which necessitates that both the school and home come under the authority of God for the benefit of the student.

...

For this reason, the school reserves the right, within its sole discretion, to refuse admission of an applicant or to discontinue enrollment of a student if the atmosphere or conduct within a particular home or the activities of the student are counter to or are in opposition to the biblical lifestyle the school teaches. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, participating in, supporting, or affirming sexual immorality, homosexual activity, or bisexual activity; promoting such practices; or being unable to support the moral principles of the school.

Like many other private Christian schools with discriminatory policies, Myrtle Grove will be eligible to receive taxpayer-funded private school vouchers in 2014.

You can read the school letter announcing the policy here.


By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

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Anti-gay Discrimination Christianity Gay Rights Lgbt Rights Religion