Persecution in the Name of the Lord

Publicly funded Christian colleges and universities across the U. S. have long exploited a legal loophole to control and discriminate against LGBTQ+ students with impunity— inflicting financial pain and emotional trauma in the process. Now there’s a new battle brewing over this warped version of religious freedom. At CCU, as at many conservative evangelical schools, undergraduates must sign a “lifestyle covenant,” or honor code, that forbids certain behaviors. In the 2022–23 student handbook, tucked between bans on arson and sexual assault, was a prohibition on “Same-sex relationships: engaging in a romantic same-sex relationship, defending, or advocating for same-sex romantic relationships.” Additionally, under the school’s “knowing presences policy,” students who failed to report their rule-breaking peers could also be disciplined, facing penalties as severe as suspension or dismissal. [View in Browser]( [Esquire]( [SHOP]( EXCLUSIVE [SUBSCRIBE]( [Persecution in the Name of the Lord]( [Persecution in the Name of the Lord]( Publicly funded Christian colleges and universities across the U. S. have long exploited a legal loophole to control and discriminate against LGBTQ+ students with impunity— inflicting financial pain and emotional trauma in the process. Now there’s a new battle brewing over this warped version of religious freedom. At CCU, as at many conservative evangelical schools, undergraduates must sign a “lifestyle covenant,” or honor code, that forbids certain behaviors. In the 2022–23 student handbook, tucked between bans on arson and sexual assault, was a prohibition on “Same-sex relationships: engaging in a romantic same-sex relationship, defending, or advocating for same-sex romantic relationships.” Additionally, under the school’s “knowing presences policy,” students who failed to report their rule-breaking peers could also be disciplined, facing penalties as severe as suspension or dismissal. [Read More](   [The Republican Debate Was Not a Debate. The Republican Party Is Not a Party.]( [The Republican Debate Was Not a Debate. The Republican Party Is Not a Party.]( Get out while you can, Alexander Diaz. They don't care. [Read More]( [Read an Excerpt From Stephen King's 'Holly']( [Read an Excerpt From Stephen King's 'Holly']( A young woman has gone missing in a small town. All that remains of her are an abandoned bike, a missing earring, and some surly classmates who don't want to talk. Then the mystery deepens. [Read More](     [The Sheets—Yes, Sheets—That Completely Changed My Sleep]( [The Sheets—Yes, Sheets—That Completely Changed My Sleep]( I consider myself to be a connoisseur of all things cozy. See, some people’s haven in their homes is the bathroom, or the living room, but mine? Mine is my bedroom. When I watch TV, I prefer to watch on a laptop from the comfort of my queen-sized bed instead of my (plush) leather couch. When I WFH, a duvet with four pillows is my desk. And when I sleep, I want to be getting the absolute best, most comfortable sleep possible. I thought I was, until I tried Cozy Earth’s Bamboo Sheets Set. They unlocked a whole new level of comfort. When you think about it, sheets might just be the most important part of your bedding. [Read More](   [17 Business Casual Shoes That Work Just as Well Outside the Office]( [17 Business Casual Shoes That Work Just as Well Outside the Office]( Elevate your everyday wardrobe. [Read More]( [Our 47 Favorite Online Furniture Stores to Shop]( [Our 47 Favorite Online Furniture Stores to Shop]( Great interior design has never been this easy. [Read More](     [California Dreamin' With Taylor Fritz, America's Top Ranked Tennis Star]( [California Dreamin' With Taylor Fritz, America's Top Ranked Tennis Star]( It’s 7:30 in the morning at Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont. In the morning quietude, a matte black Tesla has silently pulled up the driveway. Taylor Fritz steps out. A lithe six-foot-five, he is Southern California-handsome—longish hair, big smile, tanned skin—and he looks very much like someone who could be famous. Setting notwithstanding, his starry vibe can be attributed, first and foremost, to his damn good tennis game. Twenty-five-year-old Fritz is currently ranked ninth on the ATP Tour (global men’s tennis’ preeminent governing body), though his all-time best position is fifth, which he achieved this past February. [Read More](   [ESQ 1933 Jewelry]( Follow Us [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Notice/Notice at Collection]( esquire.com ©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019