Reconciling Religion and Sexuality: Predictors of LGBT-Inclusive Policies at Christian Colleges and Universities

• In Event: 090 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 05. The Production of Sexualities in Higher Education

Abstract

Scholars of gender and sexuality are beginning to develop models to explain the adoption of LGBT-inclusive policies in schools, but they have mostly ignored the role of religion in facilitating or impeding the adoption of these policies. For their part, sociologists of religion have long debated the role of religion in social change. However, most theorizing on religion and social change has not considered the relationship between religion and so-called “identity politics” movements such as the LGBT movement. In this article, I examine the predictors of LGBT support groups (such as Gay-Straight Alliances) and nondiscrimination statements inclusive of sexual orientation and/or gender identity at Christian colleges and universities in the United States. I find strong support for the role of organizational-level characteristics (such as a school’s tuition level, theological tradition, and strength of relationship with a denomination) in the adoption of LGBT-inclusive policies at Christian colleges and universities. I also find limited support for the role of student body composition in the adoption of LGBT-inclusive policies at Christian colleges and universities. The article contributes both to the growing literature on LGBT-friendly schools and the larger literature on religion and social change.

Author

• Jonathan Scott Coley, Vanderbilt University