Jaycen Montgomery
(he/him)
George Fox University
Jaycen Montgomery identifies as transgender with an open sexuality.
He attended George Fox University from 2012 until March 2016, when he left without graduating.
George Fox’s student handbook outlines rules of behavior for students and includes several specific anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including regulation of romantic and sexual relationships between people of the same sex. The policy and general climate at George Fox made Jaycen feel excluded and not seen for who he is, prompting him to feel anxiety and depression.
While a student, Jaycen requested to move from female housing to housing with other men following his transition. Living in a female dorm meant that each day, his first thoughts were about his struggles living in a body that never felt right to him. His request was initially denied by George Fox because he is a transgender man.
Jaycen is raising his voice to protect all LGBTQ+ students at George Fox University and religiously affiliated colleges across the country.
About US
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 through podcasting, documentary film, and speaking and preaching 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.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact The Trevor Project
or Trans Lifeline.