A sign of Baylor University is seen on South University Parks Drive in Waco. (File Photo)
Jae S. Lee/Staff Photographer
Texas Baptists leadership says it wants to review its relationship with Baylor University after LGBTQ Christian advocates were scheduled to speak at an event on campus Wednesday night as part of a student-led event.
Executive director Julio Guarneri shared with churches Friday that he will ask leadership at an upcoming board meeting to “begin a conversation” about Texas Baptists’ 140-year-old relationship with Baylor University, a spokesperson said in a statement.
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“Dr. Guarneri said that while we value the deep, historic bond Baylor University and Texas Baptists have shared for 140 years, and the present ministry taking place on campus through avenues like our own Baptist Student Ministry (BSM), we also remain unwavering in our commitment to Biblical sexuality,” Kalie Lowrie, director of communications, said.
Titled “All Are Neighbors,” the event is organized by College Democrats of Baylor, Baylor’s NAACP chapter and Texas Rising, who have said the interfaith event is meant to promote dialogue and celebrate joy.
The scheduled speakers include Kelley Robinson, a Catholic and president of LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign who is the first Black, queer woman to hold her position, according to her online biography, and Paul Raushenbush, a Baptist minister and president of social justice nonprofit Interfaith Alliance who is openly gay.
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Related: Baylor University to host gay Christian speakers at Turning Point USA counter event
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Organizers are billing “All Are Neighbors” as a counter event, rooted in faith, to Turning Point USA, the conservative youth political group founded by Charlie Kirk, which is hosting a “This is the Turning Point” tour stop on the same night.
In an interview, Raushenbush said that the event is exploring the question, “what does it mean to take seriously that all are neighbors?” He described the event as one of “celebration” and “love.”
“There’s sadness that my life, my testimony and my work gives them a kind of pause,” he said.
The private Christian university in Waco has long denounced same-sex relationships and said its stance is that heterosexual relationships are the “biblical norm.” While all students are welcome to attend, the school’s policies say it expects students “will not participate in advocacy groups which promote understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching.”
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Lowrie said in a statement that Texas Baptist leadership also heard concerns from church leadership about the Turning Point USA event.
Commonly known as Texas Baptists, the Baptist General Convention of Texas issued a statement April 10 saying that many of its members have “strong concerns” about the “All Are Neighbors” alternate event. Texas Baptists are a state convention of the Southern Baptist Convention.
“We value our longstanding partnership with Baylor University and remain wholly committed to our long-held view of Biblical sexuality,” the statement said.
A university spokesperson said earlier this month that Baylor does not “institutionally endorse the views of speakers at these events or other individuals invited to speak by student organizations.” The university said it worked with student organizers with both Turning Point USA and the “All Are Neighbors” event to “align their events with institutional policies and procedures.”
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Baylor University spokesperson Lori Fogleman did not respond when asked for additional comment Tuesday.
In 2011, Texas Baptists and Baylor University agreed to review their relationship every ten years, and the two institutions most recently completed a review in 2023. In a news release at the time, the two “deemed no changes are necessary.”
According to the news release, Texas Baptists provide the university with $1.3 million annually for the George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baptist Student Ministry activities, and for financial aid for pastors and ministers.