Religious freedom is one of several rights that is vital in the United States, but, in recent times, religious freedom is utilized by crazies and big religious institutions as a [un]holy grenade to violate the rights of others, to possibly violate the Constitution and definitely bypassing anti-discrimination laws. This is most notable in educational institutions, as Title IX prevents discrimination, and the consequences for violating it are significant. But, under the name of religion, an educational institution can request a Title IX exemption.
In theory, Title IX can be freely violated, and is, especially in regards to LGBTQ+ people. It seems that religious institutions are invulnerable; they’re not. The IRS revoked the charitable tax status of Bob Jones University in 1983, when said university discriminated against interracial couples (racial discrimination). But that’s a far cry from getting the government to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people. This is what REAP hopes to accomplish.
At many religious colleges and universities, LGBTQ+ students suffer discrimination, abuse, and hardship. The Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP) empowers queer, trans and non-binary students at more than 200 taxpayer-funded religious schools that actively discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Through civil rights litigation, storytelling, oral history, research and public policy, we work towards a world where LGBTQ students on all campuses are treated equally, with safety and respect.
REAP
Quite a clever name, huh? Maybe discriminatory educational institutions will REAP what they sow. As of now, REAP an active class action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, “Elizabeth Hunter, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education”. I’m no lawyer, but a class action lawsuit has multiple plaintiffs (people suing); the U.S. Department of Education is being sued because it negligent to the people whose rights are violated due to Title IX religious exemptions.