persecution IN THE NAME of THE LORD

Publicly funded Christian colleges and universities across the U.S. have long exploited a LEGAL LOOPHOLE to control and discriminate against LGBTQ+ students with impunity inflicting financial pain and emotional trauma in the process. Now there's a new battle brewing over this warped version of religious freedom.

- DEBORAH JIAN LEE

JOURNEY MUELLER WASN'T ready to come out. At eighteen, the Colorado Christian University freshman had only just admitted to herself that she liked women. But one autumn day in 2017, two of her roommates-women she considered her closest friends-tried to pry the secret from her. When Journey evaded their questions, they pelted her with more. When she tried to leave her dorm suite, they physically blocked the door, she later said in a sworn legal declaration. When she held her tongue, they did the talking, piecing together a narrative that was spot-on: That fall, Journey's lesbian friend Casey had been a frequent visitor, taking Journey away from campus for hours. What were they doing? Were they dating? Was Journey gay?

Journey stood frozen before her friends, one hand touching her cross necklace. With long, chestnut hair framing her youthful face, flushed cheeks, and piercing eyes, she resembled a teenage Kristen Stewart. Journey hadn't told anyone about the surprising turn her romantic life had taken with Casey's arrival. (Casey is a pseudonym to protect their privacy; they now use gender-neutral pronouns.) She had admired Casey since high school how they always seemed spirited and flirtatious, comfortable in their own skin. She loved Casey's explosive laugh and theatrical personality. Before, Journey had flirted tentatively with Casey, but the anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs of her conservative Christian community held her back. Now in college, Journey was exploring her identity and felt her attraction to Casey rekindle. The two often joked about kissing each other. And during one visit, when the subject came up, Journey wasn't kidding.