Seattle Pacific University alumni handed rainbow flags to the school’s acting director when he handed them diplomas on Sunday in protest against the school’s anti -LGBTQ policies.
The TikTok protest went viral and garnered millions of views.
Student and organizer Chloe Guillot: “It started as a conversation between students that we didn’t want to shake hands with the president when he finished school. He told CNN. “So we thought, ‘What can we do instead?’ And the idea was born: why don’t we give up the banner of pride? ”
According to him, 40 to 50 graduates took part in the organized action. Some refused to tremble Interim President Pete Mengeres Hand and hand extended the flag.
Guillaume said this after giving Menjar A flag of pride on Sunday, he told her: “We won’t stop until the policy changes.” Plan to return to college as a graduate student.
Menjar It was stated in a statement by NBC News That Sunday “was a beautiful day to celebrate with our alumni. “Those who gave me the flag showed me how I feel and I respect their opinions.”
At a graduation ceremony at Seattle Pacific University on June 12, students protested the school’s ban on LGBTQ + staff and professors and handed the pride flag to the school president after graduation. pic.twitter.com/gkzSCFR6ua
– NowThis (@nowthisnews) June 13, 2022
Seattle Pacific University is associated with the Free Methodist Church in the United States. According to the school’s website, “it allows and reserves the right to give preference to employees or potential employees based on religion” and expects its staff to refrain from certain behaviors “in anticipation of the lifestyle of university staff described ”.
Those Expectations include the prevention of “sexual conduct inconsistent with biblical standards at the university, including residency, unmarried sexual activity and same-sex sexual activity.”
The SPU Board of Trustees last month decided to keep this policy despite protests by students and teachers at the school.
“The decision means that expectations about the behavior of SPU staff continue to reflect the traditional biblical view of marriage and sexuality as an expression of the Church’s long-standing teaching and interpretation of the Bible,” he said. said the council. It will be read in a statement on May 23.
SPU students and alumni also have two weeks of Sitting at the University To protest against the policies. The University confirms on its website that it has LGBTQ + students and says it is “committed to diversity, equality and inclusion for all undergraduate and graduate students” despite policies with discrimination against staff.
The alumni protest coincides with Pride Month, the annual celebration and endorsement of LGBTQ + communities around the world.
Source: Huffpost
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.