Imagine being told that the only way you can receive your diploma is by divorcing your wife because school administrators found out you are a lesbian.
Or being on the cusp of receiving your Mas
ter’s degree, only to be abruptly kicked out of your program because you are transgender.
Those are just two of the stories REAP is sharing with a federal court this week, as we have submitted a motion to add eight new plaintiffs to our landmark lawsuit challenging anti-LGBTQ discrimination at religious colleges and universities.
REAP now plans to represent 48 LGBTQ students and alumni – completely pro-bono – as they demand that the federal government stop granting exemptions to the religious schools that have abused and harmed them.
Click here to meet all of our plaintiffs.
Just two weeks ago, plaintiffs in our class action lawsuit testified in a (virtual) federal courtroom – each detailing the horrific discrimination they endured at the hands of a taxpayer-funded religious college.
This hearing represented the first time that queer students from an array of religious colleges have testified collectively in federal court about the mistreatment they have suffered.
That’s the power of REAP’s work. We’re proud to represent our plaintiffs for free – but don’t forget: REAP is a small organization with a small budget. Legal fees aren’t cheap. We’re a grassroots project that can only exist with the backing of supporters like you.
REAP is the only national organization doing this work – and we need your help to ensure we can sustain our support for queer students at religious colleges long in to the future.