"I went to Samford, but I was not me at Samford."

Dear Dr. Taylor,

My name is Julia, and I am a graduate of the class of 2017. I was class president, served actively in student government during my time, co-ran a non-profit on campus, was involved in executive council in my sorority, participated in the University Fellows program, and was a tuition exchange student.

I went to Samford, but I was not me at Samford.

I was not able to be my authentic self while in school. I saw no other women like me - devoted to their faith and also interested in dating and marrying other women as a part of that faith. Not in spite of it, but because of it, just as our straight peers did. I chose to remain closeted and continued on to Christian higher ed where everything eventually came crashing down, as I was forced out of Christian university life due to policies around same-sex dating.

I am writing to you because I am terrified of what is happening at Samford. As an out and proud alumni happily married to my church’s worship leader (who is a woman!), it is scary to think that groups are being excluded from campus due to their denominational support of our love.

I pray that you speak up if you do not agree with what is happening at Samford. And if you do agree, I pray that you make your viewpoints clear so that LGBTQ+ students can choose to attend other universities.

I spoke at my commencement on God’s promises being fulfilled, even when we don’t understand the timing. There is no community I believe this for more wholeheartedly than the LGBTQ+ Christian community. As a child and adolescent therapist, I have seen such resilience in the way those harmed by the church continue to rise and hope and dream for what God can do, even after so much exclusion and vitriol.

I pray that Samford chooses the Gospel of Jesus over the politics and policing of religion. We so often miss ourselves as the Pharisees in the story.

Julia

Class of 2017