Disclaimer: Letter to the Editor does not represent the viewpoints of The Whitworthian, members of the editorial board or Whitworth University.

“I fiercely believe in changing Whitworth’s hiring policy to protect LGBTQ+ staff from discrimination. For me, this is less of an opinion or viewpoint and more of a moral imperative. One of the things that disturbs me most surrounding this whole issue is the way that queer dignity is discussed like favorite ice cream flavors— ‘Oh, I prefer this, but of course, it’s okay if you prefer that.’ Frankly, I don’t see homophobia as a difference in opinion. I see it as a failure to love and respect others. I wish the board, and Christians in general, would stop diminishing and falsely framing the LGBTQ+ ‘debate’ as something where two equally valid ‘sides’ exist. My lived experience is not an opinion for you to agree or disagree with. To claim so is to dehumanize me.

I’ve thought a lot about whether I regret going to Whitworth because of these issues. Honestly, I don’t and it’s because of the troves of wonderful and supportive people I’ve met on campus. I love the English department deeply. The vast majority of professors and students at Whitworth are kind, affirming and courageous people who I am glad to know. I do not believe the homophobia in the letter addressed ‘To the Whitworth University Board of Trustees,’ which was signed by some current board members, is representative of Whitworth’s student body or staff.

My hope for myself and others is to find peace in the fact that their ignorant words are not ours to carry. Their closed-mindedness is not our burden to bear. Live defiantly as the queer wonder you are, for your existence is resistance.”

—Celia Hagey, class of 2023