LGBTQ student issues challenge Catholic campuses.(lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or questioning )

It's no secret that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or questioning (LGBTQ) on a Catholic college campus can be extremely difficult. Why in the world would someone who identifies as LGBTQ choose to attend a Catholic school?

Whether it's because they didn't have a choice, didn't know they were LGBTQ until they got to campus, or wanted to honor both their Catholic and LGBTQ identities, the reality is that these students and employees are present on campus. And they're here to stay. What are the issues they face, and how can we support them?

These issues were raised during a panel of students at Santa Clara University CA. It was the opening panel of the Out There: The First National Conference of Scholars and Student Affairs Personnel Involved in LGBTQ Issues on Catholic Campuses conference, held in October 2005 at Santa Clara University.

Jesuit ideals

An audience member summed up the theme of the conference when he commented that "On a Catholic campus, people say, 'This is a choice, so it's not even worth discussing. You're on a Catholic campus. What do you want from us, what do you expect? What were you thinking?'"

The reality is that students don't always get to choose their colleges. Or they may not have had any idea they were LGBTQ until they arrived on campus. Students work on self-exploration and identity development during the college years, and colleges have a responsibility to assist and support students during this formative period. Those who know they are LGBTQ may still wish to be educated in an environment that allows them to develop their Catholicism and relate their studies to their faith.

The most basic tenet of Jesuit Catholicism is social justice and the value of dignity for all people. Jesuit education strives to educate the "whole person"--educating intelligent, ethical and responsible persons who will become leaders and bring knowledge, understanding and virtue to society, according to Santa Clara's president Paul L. Locatelli.