An Important Organizational Update
From the REAP Board of Directors | August 2025
After thoughtful deliberation, the Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to conclude the work of the Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP).
Following the discovery of a serious internal issue that affected REAP’s financial and operational stability, the Board paused operations, evaluated next steps, and upheld our fiduciary responsibilities. While we cannot share all details publicly, we are deeply grateful to the founders, students, alumni, volunteers, donors, and community who believed in this work from day one.
Founded as a legal and storytelling campaign by queer students and alumni, REAP grew into a national nonprofit advocating for LGBTQIA+ students at religious colleges and universities. Among our most significant contributions was supporting the landmark federal lawsuit Hunter, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education. While the outcome was disappointing, it made history by centering queer student voices in federal court and drawing national attention to the misuse of religious exemptions.
REAP will remain incorporated solely to conclude operations, fulfill legal obligations, and preserve our archive. This is not the end of the mission—contact REAPBoard2025@gmail.com to connect with aligned organizations supporting queer students.
With appreciation and respect,
The REAP Board of Directors
Don'T ExEmPT uS
We stand with LGBTQIA+ students who face abuse & discrimination at religious colleges.
At many religious schools, colleges, and universities, LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized students suffer discrimination, abuse, isolation, and hardship.
If this describes you, you are not alone. We are in this together. REAP fights for the safety, bodily autonomy, justice, and human rights of LGBTQIA+ and other communities marginalized at many predominantly white, taxpayer-funded religious schools and colleges. Using campus organizing, storytelling, and speaking on campuses throughout the country, REAP empowers students, faculty, staff and alumni at these institutions to advocate for human rights, while shining a light on the dangers and abuses of a major educational pipeline of white Christian Supremacy.
HiSTorIC lAwsuIT
Elizabeth Hunter, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education
Religious exemptions to civil rights statutes come at a price. The price is paid by the young and vulnerable who find themselves at the mercy of religiously affiliated, taxpayer-funded social service and educational institutions that often turn them away or force them into the closet. This lawsuit asserts the constitutional and basic human rights of LGBTQ+ students, seeking to end the sexual, physical and psychological abuses perpetrated under the religious exemption to Title IX at thousands of federally-funded schools, colleges and universities across America.
SIGN THE PLEDGE
We’re building a nationwide movement to show LGBTQIA+ students facing discrimination on religious campuses that they are not alone. Add your name now if you agree it’s time for taxpayer-funded religious colleges and universities to end discrimination against LGBTQIA+ students.
Jake P., Baylor University
Religious Exemption Accountability Project is a national nonprofit. All gifts are tax-deductible and non-refundable.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9-10