Transgender Student at George Fox University Fights to Live in All-Male Dorms
A transgender student at George Fox University in Oregon is fighting the college to move from an all-female dorm to an all-male dorm now that his transition is complete. The student, known only as Jayce M., has a lot of support from fellow students on campus, but the college says that it must stick to and follow its theological convictions.
"I have the right, as any other male, to live on campus with males," Jayce told KPTV. "I'm going to fight for that."
He has battled the school for over a week and has retained an attorney to help him fight to live on-campus with friends. Jayce does have the option to life off-campus or by himself in a single room, but that is not what he wants. He has gathered a great deal of support – over 14,000 people signed a petition to allow Jayce to live wherever he wants, including on campus. Those petitions have since been delivered to officials at George Fox University.
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Jayce has filed a complaint with the Department of Education, stating that the school receives federal money, which means it should adhere to non-discrimination standards.
"I'm hoping that the school will listen and grant me on-campus housing," Jayce said. "For the future, I hope that I'll be able to pave the way for future transgender students as well as any other people that are being marginalized."
However, the University prides itself on a faith-based environment that includes several types of worship per week as well as opportunities to go on service trips. In a statement to KPTV, the school said it "strives to be a Christ-centered community."
"Our residential facilities are single sex because of our theological commitments. The student's request to switch from female-only on-campus housing to male-only on-campus housing is one that many institutions would struggle with," officials said.
Members of the community have noted that George Fox University is a private school and that Jayce made the decision to attend, knowing its theological commitments, and should not expect to receive special treatment.
"If she doesn't want to live that [code of conduct] anymore, she can go to a state school," user Alan posted on KPTV.com.
"This is a private college, and they also have the RIGHT to conduct the college based upon their founding beliefs," MaxineX noted.
