Story co-produced with Callia Addikis
“I think the biggest thing is how [being gay] set me back, with being able to love who I love, and not living my life based off of an artifact,” says Kinley Lewis, a student of environmental science at WCU.
WCU has a diverse student population, with students who identify as queer, Christian or both. Queer students had a variety of opinions about feeling comfortable and accepted on churches on and around campus. There are roughly 30 churches within a 15-mile radius of WCU’s campus.
The Wesley Foundation has been a part of WCU’s campus for 75 years. The foundation is part of the United Campus Ministry that wants to emphasize that they are accepting of all students who offer a safe and accepting community.
“Notice Names Known,” says Adam Mottershead, associate director at WCU’s Wesley Foundation. This mantra is a crucial part of the Wesley Foundation. Mottershead offers that they want the space to be a home away from home, especially since it is not a guarantee that students have an accepting home to return to.
“Especially LGBT, a lot of folks, not all, but they’ve felt unwanted, or they’re told how terrible they are or not welcome and that they’re not Christian,” says Jay Hinton, director and campus minister at WCU’s Wesleyan Foundation. “Jesus never excludes anyone, when I read the gospels, Jesus says to love God and love each other. Period.”
Lee Irvine, president of student organization Sexuality and Gender Alliance at WCU, feels that in the current political climate it can be a risk to be out as queer. Safe spaces are incredibly valuable in a time like this.
“In SAGA, I regularly hear members of our organization express that they do not feel safe on campus, as visibly queer and trans folks. I myself have experienced violence on campus directly related to my queer expression,” says Irvine. “SAGA has a very strong relationship with the local Unitarian church, they hosted Trans Day of Remembrance this year and it was beautiful. Our queer identities and organization has been welcomed without question.”
The Bridge Church is just 1.6 miles from WCU’s main campus and has a large presence with the student community. They hold a student service on campus on Thursday nights. The Bridge believes in being a welcoming environment and encourages people to just come to church. They also believe that the only foundation is directly from the Bible.
“If it’s not something you believe, then let’s have that conversation,” says Elizabeth Turnmire.
“We do believe that marriage is between a man and wife, but it doesn’t change our perspective on people. We want church to be a place for people to grow in faith,” says Donovan Turnmire, a pastor at The Bridge church.
While there are many faith organizations affiliated with WCU’s campus, they all state that they do their best to follow the word of Christ, though there are many forms of what this looks like and different interpretations.
