Concordia University Chicago students protest ‘unwelcoming’ culture for LGBTQ, minority students

The scholars referred to as out what they are saying is a tradition of racism and homophobia on campus.

DeJon McAdory stated he transferred to Concordia final yr as a result of he thought he may thrive. As an alternative, he stated he is been made to really feel like he does not slot in.

“All people has a narrative in regards to the college and that is alarming,” he stated.

College students of colour and LGBTQ college students say they’ve lengthy felt the atmosphere at Concordia is unwelcoming, however have been moved to arrange the rally after a professor was banned from campus final week.

English professor Paul Stapleton stated he and his spouse, who can be a professor on the college, voiced their issues about racism to the administration.

“The expertise these youngsters have been having, which is one among being made to really feel like second-class residents on the campus of their alma mater,” Stapleton stated.

The college confirmed that Stapleton was banned from faculty grounds, however continues to be an worker Stapleton stated he’ll nonetheless maintain courses in individual close to the campus.

Whereas Stapleton shouldn’t be certain about his future on the faculty, he stated he hopes “that the multi-cultural, pluralistic, multiethnic cloth of scholar physique [will] be embraced and celebrated slightly than made to really feel as if it is an issue.”

Concordia launched a press release that stated: “The college accepts and loves all human beings as God’s kids, together with BIPOC and LGBTQ college students. As an establishment of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the college additionally adheres to the doctrine of the church.”

College students additionally held a city corridor with Concordia directors and workers, the place they referred to as for the hiring of extra various college members, and extra scholarships for Black and brown college students.