However, other affirming groups on campus can be
difficult to find. The Muslim Student Association and
Hindu Youth for Unity, Virtues, and Action (YUVA)
did not respond to requests for comments on this
article, and many of the Christian groups that have
positions on LGBTQ issues are not as inclusive as Hil-
lel and the Buddhist Student Union.
Cornerstone is Carolina’s chapter of Campus Cru
sade for Christ International. Cornerstone’s website
hosts links to the websites of Exodus International
and Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”; both pro-.
grams encourage gay conversion therapy, a process
that has been discredited by the American Psychologi
cal Association and the American Medical Association.
Cornerstone also hosts a link to the website of John
Piper, a minister who claimed that God sent a tornado
to damage a Lutheran church as a warning to the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for voting to
allow openly gay members to serve as clergy.
John Farmer, a campus staff member with Inter-
Varsity Christian Fellowship, characterized his group’s
theological position on homosexuality by saying it is
“sinful” and “something that is not how God has cre
ated us.” InterVarsity also believes any sexual activity
outside of a marriage between a man and a woman is
sinful.
To hold a leadership position in InterVarsity, stu
dents are required to agree with the organization’s
theological positions on a variety of issues, including
the belief that homosexuality is sinful. Farmer con
firmed that this requirement means an openly LGBTQ
individual would not be able to be in leadership within
the group.
“We as members of the greater evangelical church
movement have historically done a poor job of relating
to the LGBTQ community in the past, but we as Inter
Varsity sincerely desire to redeem that history in some
small way through creating a welcoming and comfort
able environment for LGBTQ students who are ask
ing questions about the Bible, the Christian faith, and
sexuality on UNC’s campus,” says Farmer.
However, Mr. Farmer also expressed doubt as to
whether such a climate existed at this point in time.
Billy Kluttz, co-president of GLBTSA, shares that
doubt.
“For me it’s just such an atmosphere thing,” says
Kluttz. “I think a lot of people in the Christian com
munity here are like ‘Oh, well they just perceive it that
way.’ But I think it is the responsibility of people in
that group to own what they have created.”
Kluttz, a Christian and long-time member of the
Methodist Church, has struggled to find a comfortable
spiritual home on campus. When asked what his ad
vice would be to LGBTQ students seeking a welcoming
religious community, his suggestion is clear.
“Well, I would say first of all, come by my office
hours. I’d love to talk with you. But also, start off-cam-
pus. I’m sorry, it’s safer.”
While it may be difficult to find an accepting Chris
tian organization at UNC, it is not impossible. Anna
Gribble, a UNC senior and active member of Lutheran
Campus Ministries, describes the group as “open to
anyone having a leadership role.”
“Holy Trinity [Lutheran Church] and LCM have
been true to the belief that everyone is welcome,” says
Gribble.
Holy Trinity, which sponsors LCM, recently joined a
Lutheran effort known as Reconciling in Christ which
aims to be actively affirming of people of all sexual ori
entations and gender identities. Gribble describes the
climate of LCM as very open and welcoming to LG
BTQ individuals. However, even the more accepting
segments of Lutheranism have some ground to cover,
particularly concerning marriage equality.
“They won’t call it a marriage - not yet,” says Grib
ble. “We’re going to get there eventually. They call it a
blessing of a union.”
Acceptance of LGBTQ individuals by religious
groups is a relatively new development, and the num
ber of welcoming groups has grown significantly in the
last decade. While there are still many campus orga
nizations that wholly or partially marginalize LGBTQ
students, the tide is turning toward an openness and
affirmation of all people, regardless of sexual orienta
tion or gender identity. ■
LGBTQ-welcoming churches in the area include: Binkley Baptist Church, Chapel Hill Christian Church,
The Chapel of the Cross, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Church of Reconciliation Presbyterian, and United
Church of Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill Kehillah Synagogue, a Reconstructionist Jewish congregation, extends
a specific welcome to “gay/lesbian families” on the front page of their website. For places of worship that
do not openly express a position on LGBTQ issues, it is recommended sending an email first to ensure a
welcoming atmosphere.
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