Louis James
(he/him)
Indiana Wesleyan University
Louis James is a pseudonym for a student at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). He worries about dismissal, discrimination, or academic harm if his identity is discovered. He is a gay man.
IWU 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 university also states, “We believe the grace of God sufficient to overcome the practice of such activity and the perversion leading to its practice.”
Louis frequently worries that IWU will discover that he is gay and kick him out of school. He has seen social media posts about former students at IWU who were dismissed when they came out as gay. The fear has prompted Louis to experience anxiety while walking around campus that has made it hard for him to eat and sleep.
He is raising his voice to protect all LGBTQ+ students at Indiana Wesleyan 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
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or Trans Lifeline.