"I believe this decision to exclude...goes against Samford's core values and the Biblical mandate to 'love our neighbors'."

Dr. Taylor,

I am writing to you after I read about the decision to utilize the Guest Ministry Policy to ban two clergy members from the Episcopal Church and Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) from campus because of their denomination's stance on welcoming and affirming LGBTQI people. I believe this decision to exclude fellow Christians, who are offering a supportive community of faith to the LGBTQI students, faculty and staff goes against Samford's core values and the Biblical mandate to "love our neighbors."

My journey at Samford began in the fall of 1992. I chose Samford because it afforded me the opportunity to play on the football team and study in the Religion Department which would prepare me to answer my call to ministry. My time on the football team lasted one season, but my time in the Religion department lasted until graduation. It was in my Introduction to Old Testament course where my very sure belief about the sinfulness of homosexuality was challenged. The adjunct professor called into question the interpretation of a passage from the Hebrew text about homosexuality and I frantically grabbed my Bible, flipped to the concordance in the back and found a passage from the New Testament which explicitly, in my mind, refuted his claim. I raised my hand and when called upon proudly read the verse which supported my view that homosexuality is sinful and said, "Jesus calls us to love the sinner and hate the sin." He remarked, "Well, it seems maybe Christians have made a bit of progress."

Soon after that classroom exchange, my roommate invited me to go with him to visit a local clinic that offered compassionate care to people who had HIV/AIDS as part of a class assignment. During our visit we met a client who shared with us about the physical and spiritual care he was receiving from those who worked at the clinic. He asked us why we were visiting and to share some things about our lives. When I shared that I was preparing to be a Baptist minister his entire demeanor changed. "I want to roast all Baptists over an open flame!" he said. He then went on to share about how the members of the Baptist church that he grew up in excluded him from the congregation after their attempts to cure him of his homosexuality through prayer had failed. I left that encounter seeing the world just a bit differently than when I entered.

One last story. During a chapel service, the late Dr. Jim Barnett was delivering a sermon and said, "Some of you out there still believe that HIV/AIDS is a punishment from God on the homosexual community. If you believe that God is love, then perhaps it is time to reconsider your beliefs."

It was these experiences at Samford and at Baptist Church of the Covenant which taught me that there is room at the table for all of God's children. I gratefully look back on my time at Samford. Grateful that I was challenged and shaped by Dr. Bill Leonard, Dr. Dennis Sansom, Dr. Karen Joines, Dr. Penny Marler, and those who have joined the communion of saints, Dr. Sigurd Bryan, Dr. Jim Barnett, Dr. W.T. "Dub" Edwards and his wife, Peg as well as the life long friends that God placed in my life who came out after their time at Samford.

Dr. Taylor I am asking that Samford make room at the table for the LGBTQI students, faculty and staff by officially recognizing a student group for them and allowing clergy, like myself, to offer them a compassionate community where they are seen, heard and loved. Until that time I will not financially contribute to the University, nor will I recommend it as a place for anyone to further their education, which deeply grieves me.

Sincerely,
Reverend Jason Loscuito
Class of 1996