After decades of precedent welcoming ecumenical diversity and partnering with many different churches, denominations, and ministry groups, Samford University's Office of Spiritual Life recently utilized a Guest Ministry policy to limit which individuals can minister to students on campus. On Aug. 31, two representatives from local Episcopalian and Presbyterian USA college ministries were not allowed to participate in an on campus ministry fair (for the first time).

The Campus Pastor explicitly cited their denominations’ affirmative stance towards LGBTQ people as the reason for their inability to attend. Many of the churches who are no longer welcome according to this new interpretation of the policy are home to a vast number of faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, Samford still has not permitted the recognition of either an undergraduate LGBTQ student group, nor a law school LGBTQ group.

We must get the attention of Samford leaders—namely the President, Dr. Beck Taylor, and the board of trustees—to show them that this decision is unacceptable to an immense number of alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents of students, and friends of the university. If the university continues down this path towards a very fundamentalist mentality, the Samford that many of us know and love will exist no more. 

The signatories of this petition call on Samford to re-instate all ministry partners, regardless of their denominational stance on LGBTQ affirmation AND to grant students the university-recognized student groups they deserve. 

To participate in an associated letter writing campaign, please visit deardrtaylor.com or the SAFE Samford website at safesamford.org.