University Makes Employees Promise They’re Not Gay, Or Risk Being Fired

An American university has told their employees to sign a statement saying they’re heterosexual, or they’re fired.

Shorter University is in Georgia, and describes itself as a “Christ-centered liberal arts university dedicated to academic excellence within the context of a biblical worldview.” In keeping with their beliefs, the school recently urged their faculty to sign sworn statements that promise they’re not gay.

“We understand that there are those who do not agree with our beliefs,” said University President Donald Dowless, in a statement.

“Anyone who chooses not to sign the documents will be choosing to end their employment with the university.”

In late October, the university issued a series of new policy statements, including a Philosophy for Christian Education, Biblical Principles on the Integration of Faith and Learning, a Statement of Faith for the university, and a Personal Lifestyle Statement for university employees.

The Personal Lifestyle Statement also calls on employees to sign off on rejecting “all sexual activity not in agreement with the Bible.” This includes homosexuality, as well as any form of premarital sex.

The same statement also asks employees to not drink alcohol around students, asking them to promise that, “I will abstain from serving, from using, and from advocating the use of alcoholic beverages in public (e.g. in locations that are open to use by the general public, including as some examples restaurants, concert venues, stadiums, and sports facilities) and in settings in which students are present or are likely to be present.”