OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — An Oklahoma college student just one semester away from completing her degree has been expelled by a Christian university for marrying her same-sex partner.
Christian Minard says she received a letter from Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Okla., notifying her of her expulsion after marrying her partner, Kadyn Parks, in Albuquerque, N.M., earlier this year.
“As an American and a Christian, I do respect your choice,” wrote SCU vice president of student life Brad Davis. “[But] I have to uphold the Lifestyle Covenant at SCU and confront you with our position. Due to this recent event, you will not be able to attend SCU in the future.”
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The school, which is affiliated with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, forbids “homosexual behavior” as part of its covenant. Other offenses listed in the school’s code include harassment, sexual misconduct, and use of alcohol, tobacco and pornography.
Minard says that although she signed the morality covenant two years ago, she still thinks her expulsion is unfair. Plenty of other students violate the contract in one way or another without being expelled, she says.
Minard thinks she has been singled out because she’s gay.
“I didn’t even get a hearing, just a letter to my parents,” she says.
