Berea College welcomes all identities because it makes us a stronger school | Opinion

As I write this, members of the Kentucky General Assembly are considering controversial bills that effectively would limit the freedom of LBGTQIA+ students and their equal access to education in the public schools of our commonwealth.

The institution I am privileged to lead, Berea College, has long taken a fully inclusive approach to issues of gender identity. Our scriptural motto, “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth,” compels that approach, which welcomes all into our community regardless of any aspects of their personal identities. You will find at Berea persons who represent all of the identities encompassed in the LGBTQIA+ list together with others who identify as heterosexual males and females. You will also find Bereans who hold to a conservative Christian point of view with regard to gender and so do not support the validity of non-binary gender identities. I will not say that such differences are easy to navigate in a small community of about 2,500, but I can say that we are a better institution because of that diversity along with the other forms of diversity that come with our inclusive identity. I firmly believe that the same can be said for all of Kentucky.

Beyond its scriptural basis, we have other reasons for this choice. First and foremost, I think of this as a clear matter of justice and fairness. And beyond basic fairness, those opposing this proposed legislation have provided evidence and examples of the traumatic and lasting effects such measures can have on young persons.

Under Section 183 of the Constitution of Kentucky, the General Assembly is charged with the responsibility to provide an efficient system of common (public) schools for all of Kentucky’s children. The Supreme Court of Kentucky has recognized that “the framers of our constitution intended that each and every child in this state should receive a proper and an adequate education, to be provided for by the General Assembly.” Rose v. Council for Better Education, 790 S. W. 2nd 186 (1989).

In that case, the court quoted from the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education, in which the Supreme Court of the United States observed that “education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments.” The Supreme Court continued (using the gendered language then common) that “it [education] is a principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural values, in preparing him for later professional training, and in helping him to adjust normally to his environment. In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.” 347 U. S. 483, 493 (1954).

To deny any LBGTQIA+ student equal access to education on pain of sacrificing their identity is unconscionable and unlawful. In addition, I do not see any justification for the government to take away fundamental freedoms of identity from any person in relation to education, parental rights, healthcare or any other aspect of their existence.

There are some pragmatic reasons that also argue against such legislation. Students of today will live and work in a highly pluralistic society, and most are encountering in school and at college the diversity that will be part of their lives and work after graduation. Further, these sorts of laws are not business friendly. It is very much in Kentucky’s interest to attract the best companies in the country to do business here, providing tax revenue and great jobs for Kentuckians.

Let the example of Berea College be a guide in addressing these issues. I submit to my fellow Kentuckians that the many benefits of freedom and inclusivity are far preferable in all respects to the imposition of restrictions in matters of identity.

Lyle Roelofs is president of Berea College.