By Clint J. Bordelon

The SMU community is diverse, and the Dallas area offers resources that reflect that diversity. However, for LGBTQ students of faith, it is challenging to find religious communities that reflect and embrace sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

While several non-Christian student ministries lead the way on LGBTQ inclusion, most Christian student ministries at SMU are sponsored by conservative denominations, and the picture in the greater Park Cities area is mixed at best.

I encourage students questioning and struggling with their sexual orientations and gender identities to know of resources here on campus, such as the Women’s Center for Gender and Pride Initiatives, and the Counseling and Psychiatric Services center (CAPS) who are here for you.

Know that there are LGBTQ and allied people of faith at SMU and faith resources such as the Office of the Chaplain. I also recommend websites such as GayChurch.org or BelieveOutLoud.com, which provide directories of and maps to churches on the record of being affirming of LGBTQ people. Neither are exhaustive lists, and many more churches may have statements of affirmation welcoming all people on their websites, but both are great tools.

If you are an ally to LGBTQ people, ask about your church or student ministry’s beliefs regarding LGBTQ people, and if it is anything less than embracing, speak up and encourage dialog by bringing in guest speakers or screening films like Fish Out of Water or Matthew Vine’s The Gay Debate. In addition, be on the lookout on Facebook for events hosted by LGBTQ student organizations, such as Spectrum, and information on panels, debates and worship opportunities from Affirming Religious Community at Perkins School of Theology.