Alumnus speaks of prejudice
Homosexuals discriminated within church, he says

Bethany McCormack
Staff Reporter

Tommy Rogers wants to be ordained in the United Methodist Church, but he said he will never achieve that goal because of one thing — his sexual preference.

Rogers, a recent TCU graduate and seminary student at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, said homosexuality is the Protestant church’s last prejudice while speaking to students and professors from the religion department.

He returned to the TCU campus Monday to speak at a Chi Delta Mu luncheon sponsored by the religion department.

“As a gay man, I am in a position to be able to talk about homosexuality and my response to the church,” Rogers said.

“Basically, today I just wanted you to look at your own prejudices, see them through the eyes of others, and I want you to be more aware.”

Chi Delta Mu president Joe Blosser, a senior religion and economics major, said the organization wanted to discuss this topic because of its importance and controversial nature.

“This is an issue that will divide churches in years to come,” Blosser said.

Rogers said the church has a history of discrimination by excluding certain groups from the church. He said the early church excluded gentiles, women and now excludes homosexuals.

“I’m a United Methodist, and like other denominations, it’s a double standard,” Rogers said.

He said the United Methodist Church is welcoming to homosexual members, but it is not accepting when gay or lesbian individuals want to be ordained.

Daryl Schmidt, chairman of the religion department said that in recent history, most mainstream Protestant churches have had movements against ordaining homosexuals.

“The irony is that there are many gays and homosexuals ordained in the church,” he said. “But if they are open and honest, they won’t be ordained.”

Within the church some gays and lesbians choose to live a life of celibacy, while others get married to partners of the opposite sex and deny their true sexuality, Rogers said.

“For myself, I believe that my sexuality in no way affects how God sees me,” he said. “God still views me as one of God’s children.”

Rogers said people should explore their own prejudices and prejudices in their churches — from issues ranging from gender inclusive language and handicap accessibility to homosexuality.

“I encourage you to think about this (prejudice), and your churches and synagogues,” Rogers said. “Think about ways to change them. Even if they are small, just do what you can.”

Andrew Fort, a professor of religion, said he was glad Rogers spoke at the luncheon because Rogers shared with the students a perspective that was open and not extreme. Fort said it was good for students to have the opportunity to hear a recent TCU graduate’s ideas about homosexuality and prejudice.

Fort said TCU has made some progress regarding prejudice in recent years. He said that in the mid-1980s, it was much more difficult for students to reveal their sexual preference than it is today.

“It is a complex issue, but to the degree I know, I think TCU is making the right moves,” Fort said.

Kathleen Jeffery, a senior religion major, said she appreciated Rogers’ presentation of the issues rather than opinions regarding his topic. She said he did a good job of talking about the prejudice involved and not just the theological aspect.
“I think this issue is extremely complex and difficult to understand,” she said. “I do not think that there will be a solution easily found.”

Rogers said he doesn’t know if churches will split over the issue of homosexuality or if change will occur within churches. He said he hopes for a reformation, but he isn’t planning on waiting for the United Methodist Church to change its policies.

Bethany McCormack
b.s.mccormack@student.tcu.edu