Earlier today, a federal court ruled that the University of Iowa was wrong when it stripped BLinC of its official status as a student group for rejecting LGBTQ members who objects to lives of enforced, unwanted singledom:
Judge Stephanie M. Rose of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa granted a permanent injunction that will keep the University of Iowa from rejecting the status of Business Leaders in Christ based on the university's human rights policy, which the university had cited in its revocation of the Christian group's status. Rose's decision said the university unevenly applies the policy and still allows other groups to limit access to leadership or membership based on their religious views, race, sex and other protected characteristics.The University of Iowa is also required to pay BLinC $1 in nominal damages.
It's worth reminding people that Business Leaders in Christ, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, 24:7, Chi Alpha, Christian Medical & Dental Association, and Ratio Christi fought very hard for the right to limit the role of LGBTQ University students who want to date. These groups are very clear that they are not barring LGBTQ members, just dating members who are LGBTQ as opposed to dating members who are straight. Because LGBTQ people of faith should live single, celibate lives regardless of calling, while straight people of faith are free and clear to date and marry and create rich family lives.
It's also worth noting that the gay Christian student who originally filed a complaint against BLinC for getting bounced as a leaders for the Leaders didn't just give up on his desire to worship alongside other university students. That student Marcus got together with other affirming students of faith and created an inclusive on-campus faith-based organization called Love Works. Love Works gets together regularly for Bible readings, social justice discussions, and community volunteering. I've seen members of the group collecting donated food to give to local food pantries, for example. Best of all, they are fully inclusive and affirming of all students of faith, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or "really anything else."