Affirming Alum Collective

09/06/2022

With the start of school, Lee made their anti-LGBTQ+ policies official -- including them in the student, staff, and faculty handbooks.

We have something to say about that...

08/15/2022

A new school year means opportunities to get involved with the Affirming Alum Collective!

Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form below, and we'll help get you connected to exciting projects.
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07/15/2022

“Students at Lee, if they’re trying to advocate for LGBTQ issues, definitely run the risk of being suspended or expelled, or at least removed from any leadership positions on campus,” Gilliard said. “But they can’t kick me out of school … That’s why it’s very important that we speak up.”

***r

LGBTQ alumni of Christian institutions often felt isolated and traumatized during their college years. Many are working to make sure current students have it better.

06/03/2022

We wouldn't have pride without BIPOC trans individuals throwing bricks and dismantling systems of oppression. Yet, they are significantly more likely to be harmed or killed than any other member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This pride month consider ways that you can support and celebrate BIPOC trans folks. Here are some resources to get you started:

https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a32839834/black-trans-lgbtq-organizations/

Pride exists because of a woman.
Pride exists because of a black woman.
Pride exists because of a black trans woman.
Pride exists because of a black trans woman who was a s*x worker.
Pride exists because of a black, bis*xual trans woman who was a s*x worker that threw a brick at a cop.
Pride exists because of a black, bis*xual trans woman, who was a s*x worker, that threw a brick at a cop and started a riot against the state.

Don't lose this month in rainbow capitalism and unabashed racism because of the privilege of being white while q***r.

If you aren't supporting q***r people of color, trans women, and q***r s*x workers, you aren't celebrating pride, you are celebrating rainbow capitalism and police brutality.

Her name was Marsha P. Johnson.

Original by: Karence Cole

06/03/2022

“It is a Christian institution, so I understand the beliefs they have, but it should still be a place of like community and love no matter what, because we are Christians. And as Christians, we’re supposed to love one another,” Robinson said.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (AP) — A private Christian university is considering strictly limiting the free speech rights of its students when it comes to s*xuality and gender, from how they behave to what they wear and what they can say on campus or even online, according to published reports.

06/02/2022

"People should never be the collateral damage of your theology."
Sarah Bessey

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06/01/2022

“The Affirming Alum Collective stands ready to support students on Lee University’s campus who find themselves at odds with these policies and advocate for the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ students in the campus community,” the group said in a statement. “We take this stand because, while our alma mater currently insists on policies which have a demonstrably negative impact on students, we believe in Lee’s inclusive culture of faith, hope, and love, and we trust that it will prevail.”

“I’m really scared for my peers, my q***r friends that are still over there,” a former student said. “If I were still on campus today ... I would have to present as a woman, which I am not.”

06/01/2022

"Many students said it was hypocritical of the university authorities to preach love and inclusivity but not practice it."

‘I feel like this is just their last-ditch effort to try to, at the very least, scare students into silence’

05/25/2022

Lee University will strictly limit students’ expression and speech around gender identity starting this fall, according to a leaked policy draft. The draft states that no student at the private Christian university in Tennessee “has the right to publicly identify or behave as a gender that does ...

05/25/2022

We plan to continue holding Lee University accountable for discrimination and active harm toward LGBTQIA+ students.

A leaked draft of a new policy shows that Lee University is looking to limit students' free speech rights on gender and s*xuality.

05/24/2022

The Affirming Alum Collective issues a statement to Faculty and Staff of Lee University advocating for Current LGBTQIA+ students:

Lee University reemphasized their stance on gender, gender identity, and s*xuality. This policy severely limits faculty and staff in their ability to discuss these topics in an open environment and suggests retribution if they have conversations that are against Lee University’s guidelines.

The oppression of LGBTQIA+ students at Lee University dilutes the value of the liberal arts education offered at the university and severely restricts the ability for faculty, staff, and students to engage in conversations that grow critical thinking skills.

Stifling the voices of LGBTQIA+ students weakens the quality of education students receive and sets a dangerous precedent in how faculty and staff foster the next generation of thinkers and doers.

Regardless of theological stances or beliefs, faculty and staff have a responsibility to students
first – not the university – and we call on them to fulfill this duty.