Asbury’s approach to LGBTQ issues threatens the well-being of the entire campus

When I learned that two Asbury University professors were dismissed this week, potentially for being LGBTQ affirming, I was saddened but not surprised. I am an alumni of Asbury, went on to get a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, and now work as an affirming LGBTQ psychologist in Lexington. I am ashamed of the pain Asbury has caused to LGBTQ students and alumni.

The current approach to LGBTQ identities and faith at Asbury endangers the mental health and well-being of the entire campus.

Psychological research demonstrates that LGBTQ people experience higher rates of mental health concerns compared to heterosexual people and elevated rates of suicidal thinking and actions. That is not due to anything inherently problematic with being LGBTQ. These symptoms are the results of minority stress, exclusion, and rejection. Asbury appears to overlook this respected mental health research.

Research also shows that the presence of an accepting and affirming adult may reduce the risk of suicide by 40 percent for LGBTQ people. Additionally, a sense of belonging in one’s community contributes to positive mental health outcomes for everyone, not just LGBTQ people. By eliminating these affirming Christian faculty members, Asbury is denying its LGBTQ students that important connection.

Asbury’s actions increase the likelihood that LGBTQ students will be isolated, depressed, ashamed, and experience rejection in their faith community. As an ethical psychologist, I know those actions foster self-injury, suicidal thinking, and other dangers. The administration and numerous faculty increase minority stress and promote poor mental health by excluding affirming LGBTQ Christian voices.

Asbury polices diversity in faith and theology pertaining to LGBTQ Christianity.

Looking at the invited speakers and faculty on campus, you will only find an assortment of “researchers” who believe that loving LGBTQ relationships are incompatible with the Christian faith, or that LGBTQ people should live in celibacy, and others who are apologists for dangerous sexual orientation conversion “therapy.” Asbury ignores the many Christian scholars who have differing views that would challenge their fundamentalist beliefs.

While many mainstream Christian communities have been willing to engage in dialogues about LGBTQ people and faith, it seems anyone at Asbury who would explore affirming LGBTQ Christianity is stonewalled. The administration and faculty are unethical and harming the Christian community as they refuse to allow diverse theological discourse.

It is widely known by alumni and students that private meetings are called to address suspected same-sex attraction, relationships, and LGBTQ advocacy. Some students leave to avoid shame and being outed to their friends and families. Professionals in power who claim to care and understand LGBTQ lives contribute to this harm. When will Asbury decide to even discuss the place of LGBTQ people within Christianity? When will they engage in substantive conversation? Instead, they dismiss students and fire faculty.

I am not stating that Asbury can or will become an affirming Christian community. My question for Asbury is this: When will you allow truly affirming LGBTQ Christian voices, reputable research, and a diverse theological dialogue?

Privately I hear that brave LGBTQ students and allies on campus are ashamed and embarrassed. If we continue to work diligently, affirming conversations may grow. But do not overlook the facts. It is shameful and counter to good psychology that it required employees losing their positions and students outing themselves, risking family and community exclusion, to start a conversation. This is a danger to student mental health, robs the campus of deeper affirming theological conversations, and replaces differences of thought with fear.

Asbury University: What is your faith built on if it is not open to the voices that challenge and sharpen you?

David Pascale-Hague is a 2005 alumni of Asbury College, a person who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, and a licensed Psychologist in Lexington.