Hey guys, so I'm currently going to school in Hawai'i (pre-nursing), and was rejected this past year to the nursing program. The school is facing budget cuts and so all things considered, I wanted to transfer back to southern California (which is where I live), and a lot of the schools I am looking at are the smaller, private Christian schools such as Mt. Saint Mary's, Cal Baptist, Azusa Pacific, etc. I was just wondering if any of you know of anyone getting their BSN from any of these schools? I am a little frustrated and concerned right now about attending these schools, because I am gay, and people have told me that I will not be admitted/kicked out if the school finds out about my sexual orientation. Obviously, I don't want to be in an environment where I cannot be myself or where I don't feel safe, so this is a concern to me . I hoped maybe you all could share some information about this. What are your thoughts?
There are a LOT of other public schools, especially in California, that provide quality education. Although we now live in the modern times, these private/religious schools reserve the right to uphold their moral values (whatever they are, no matter what it is).
I would definitely find another school that would not care about my sexual orientation... Same with my preference for clothes, intake of alcohol, love for the night life, and dating life ;-)
I attended a small Southern Baptist college in North Carolina, which is known for its backwards view of sexuality.
Just don't go there.
Check each school's policy, because some have the morals clause, some don't. Also, be careful and get a full tour of each campus to get the vibe. Some places have unwritten discrimination, mainly fostered by a few uber-conservative students, not by the institution.
My question to those that are aware of these moral clauses; how is this even legal?
Private schools have much more leeway to set their own standards than, say, state universities. It's true for elementary/secondary Christian schools vs. public schools also. Some years ago I was looking into Christian schools for my kids; some of them required that at least one parent be a committed Christian, some required a letter of recommendation from the family's pastor, etc.
OP, here's my suggestions. If you have your heart set on one of the Christian schools for whatever reason--convenience, better educational renown, smaller class sizes, what have you--consider if you can commit to celibacy for the next four years. From what I have seen, honor codes don't necessarily forbid "being gay," but would forbid the physical relationship. Same as for unmarried heterosexual couples: they wouldn't expel a student for wanting to have sex with her boyfriend, but could expel her (or them, if said boyfriend is also a student) for actually having sex.
Otherwise if you really don't want to stress about it, consider public schools. They have their own advantages such as much lower tuition.
I'm ELCA Lutheran and our synod allows gays in the ministry, we have lots of gays in church etc. If I was gay I would feel very comfortable attending an ELCA Lutheran school or a school run by any of the churches who allow gays in the ministry. Those would be the ONLY Christian schools I'd feel comfortable attending, though. I was raised Baptist and I have seen how Christian fundamentalists treat gays. Don't put yourself in that situation, it's not worth it to be treated poorly while you're getting your education. God bless you :)
Anyway, if you MUST go to a private religious school and spend all that money on your degree (btw, I was looking at Azusa Pacific myself and it would have been the only one I would have chosen because I just didn't get that excessive evangelical vibe – ultimately I chose a CSU and couldn't be happier), you'll have to accept things for the way they are, do not expect to change them, keep everything about yourself to yourself (like I said, I'm at state and I still have to be exceedingly careful with who I'm out to), and just get your degree and be out ASAP.
Good luck!!!
Btw, I'm sure you already have, but did you look at University of Hawaii, Hilo as an option? I would have loved to have gone there.
Specializes in Post Acute, Med/Surg, ED, Nurse Manager.
I would really broaden your application horizons. I honestly think the stress you are already feeling is just going to get worse. Nursing school is hard enough, instructors can pick favorites or single people out very easily. While the college itself might be tolerant you never know if there is some nasty old school instructor or students. I would very much think of applying to lots of schools and see where you get in. Then figure out the best one for you. There is no reason to set yourself up for something that might just be a huge stress for you. Not every christian or religious person is anti gay but there are plenty who are. Just wait and see where you get in an trust that God has a plan and see where he leads before worrying too much.
Thank you for all the responses! I realize I have a very tough choice to make. On a side note, I AM also considering the public schools here in SoCal as well as a few Christian schools, the only concern about the public schools is due to the fact that they are heavily impacted and I've heard horror stories about the lottery system that some of them utilize to accept students into their program. Most people I meet just assume I am straight until I tell them the truth, so it's not like I would have a hard time covering my sexuality up if I had to, but I do agree that it's not healthy to be in an environment where you can't be yourself. I'm a fairly introverted guy so I wanted to consider the small privates due to the smaller class sizes, as well as the ambient and family vibe that a small school typically has. It just seems like my sexuality could potentially be a roadblock, so it's very frustrating.
On another note, I am not trying to stereotype that all Christians hate gay people, because I personally know many of whom that are loving and compassionate people. However, you can't ignore the fact that many Christians do feel strongly against gay people, and so it is a legitimate and realistic concern when you are LGBT and considering a predominantly Christian environment.
As long as you keep your sexual orientation to yourself I see no harm in attending the university. If you do know that 'Christians' are against homosexuality, then maybe attend another university. Not everyone has to know you are gay.
With that said, at least you are in a 'Christian' environment, in my viewpoint, whether gay or straight.
Go for it !! It is nobody's business. Don't ever let something like this stop you. I believe in you. You will have tougher things to worry about as you get through the program. Go for it ! Your sexual orientation is not a road block, it is who you are.
. I hoped maybe you all could share some information about this. What are your thoughts?
.thumb.gif.9c97ffa9443a5f22ff38e1eac832292c.gif){kind=avatar}
CocoaLoverFNP
238 Posts
There are a LOT of other public schools, especially in California, that provide quality education. Although we now live in the modern times, these private/religious schools reserve the right to uphold their moral values (whatever they are, no matter what it is).
I would definitely find another school that would not care about my sexual orientation... Same with my preference for clothes, intake of alcohol, love for the night life, and dating life ;-)