Guest author Morgan Faulkner made national headlines last week when he leaked a document exposing a private Christian prep school’s extremist anti-gay agenda. In this exclusive op-ed Faulkner, Trinity’s 2013 Class President, explains why he did it – and what he hopes to accomplish.
Trinity Academy in Wichita, Kansas, a private, Christian prep school, requires applicants to sign a statement acknowledging that school administrators reserve the right to expel any student if they or anyone in their family is LGBT or an LGBT ally.Â
Â
My name is Morgan Douglas Faulkner, and I graduated from Trinity Academy in 2013. I witnessed firsthand what fundamentalist indoctrination can do to the human psyche, and I am committed to doing what I can to help LGBTQ and ally students find support in a hostile environment.
Last week, I leaked Trinity’s “Statement of Understanding,†a contract that all students and parents must sign before admission, to Hemant Mehta at The Friendly Atheist. Subsequently, I wrote an alternative “Statement of Understanding†(see below) in response to Trinity’s recently added anti-LGBT clause and submitted it to several publications. In a few short days, this issue has gained an unexpected amount of attention, and I want to take advantage of this opportunity to explain my motivation for pursuing this.
My colleague and I released this information because we firmly believe that subjecting minors to this kind of toxic environment is objectively wrong. We’ve seen the psychological and emotional consequences of fundamentalism up close – I’ve experienced them personally as a closeted bisexual up to this moment – and any good that might come from being brought up in this environment is vastly overshadowed by the way it robs an individual of their personality and self-worth.
Blind obedience and unconditional deference to authority are core components of Trinity’s internal culture, and the implementation of these values leaves students woefully unprepared for the culture shock they experience after graduating or leaving. Simply put, this is a school that enforces a culture of shame.
I fully acknowledge that Trinity is a private institution and has every legal right to have these policies and implement them at the administration’s discretion. I understand that there is nothing anyone can do to stop religious fundamentalists from sending their children, LGBTQ or not, to this institution. I have no interest in attempting to change the opinions of these individuals, but I sympathize with their children who would be more comfortable with a secular education and have no choice in the matter. The fact that Trinity’s administration and board is deciding to double down on these issues instead of altering their position clearly demonstrates that their dogma has worn out its welcome. They are doing everything they can to preserve their isolated echo-chamber until it collapses in on itself.
In the meantime, I decided to create the #TrinityInsurgency hashtag to assist students who find themselves in this position in connecting with a suitable support system, and more importantly one another. Together, we can overcome this poisonous ideology and replace it with a more balanced, accepting philosophy – something that won’t leave young adults with lasting emotional scars.
* * *
Alternative Statement of Understanding:
This action by Trinity’s administration struck a nerve with us. Several of our very close friends, some of them Trinity alumni, are part of the LGBTQ community. To me, they are practically family. I would never cut them out of my life to get an allegedly superior education.
Sex and gender identity are just that – a core part of an individual’s being. There is no shame or dishonor in knowing oneself. Manufacturing shame and moral panic for no cause other than bigotry and deep-seated prejudice is stepping far beyond acceptable boundaries.
We understand that Trinity is a private institution and has every legal right to implement these policies. Individuals who find this approach to education attractive will send their children to Trinity regardless, but every prospective student and parent has a right to know exactly what they are getting themselves into.
Trinity’s press release following the leak and subsequent news and social media activity explicitly contradicts the legalese within their statement of understanding. Their online disappearance further demonstrates that Trinity’s administration is unwilling to commit to their statement – a telling lack of confidence and integrity. We would encourage all Trinity administrators and members of the board to reflect on Trinity’s motto: “Truth, Character, Faith.”
We now speak directly to any current, former, or prospective students of Trinity Academy with a connection to the LGBTQ community: It is crucial that each and every one of you know that you are not alone in your struggle. Even after leaving or graduating, it can be very difficult to accept yourself for who you truly are. We want to help you find the peace that may be eluding you, and we have created a hashtag (#TrinityInsurgency) to raise awareness about these issues. Not just for Trinity students and alumni, but for individuals all over the country and the globe who find themselves in a similar position.
Â
Image via Morgan Douglas Faulkner