University Of North Carolina Finds Christian Student Group Did Not Violate Policy When It Removed Openly Gay Member; Current Campus Policy States That Clubs Can Discriminate Based On Beliefs

An update on a previous post, a college senior has been kicked out of a University of North Carolina club because he admitted he was gay, and NBC-17 reports that the university ruled the club did nothing wrong. And now that student says he plans to fight until the school changes its policies. UNC senior Will Thomason was a proud member of Psalm 100, a Christian a capella group on campus. That was until his sexuality was revealed. Thomason says the group believes homosexuality is a sin, so when Thomason disagreed with members he said he was told, "If you can't make it clear that homosexuality is a sin, then we're going to have to ask you to leave the group." UNC's non-discrimination policy says groups cannot discriminate against students based on sexual orientation. However, a legal loophole does say groups can decide membership based on beliefs. The school, therefore, ruled Thomason was not discriminated against. However, the clause the group used to oust Thomason is raising questions and the school is considering changing its policy. Winston Crisp, the vice chancellor for student affairs, is reviewing the policy but declined an on camera interview Monday. But the school said in a statement the current policy of allowing groups to select members based on beliefs is intended to protect their First Amendment right to freedom of association. The singing group did not return calls for comment either. But students on campus were talking about the issue. Kayla Duncan, who said she is a Christian, said, "It's a Christian group. It goes against what Christians believe, so I think it was the right thing to do." Gabe Chess, another student, said, "I think if they are getting money from the school, which they are through the student government, it reeks of discrimination and is unfair."