Campus Pride denounces President of Liberty University Jerry Falwell, Jr being chosen to lead Federal Task Force for Higher Ed Policy, “The safety of every transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual college student is in jeopardy.”

President of Liberty University Jerry L. Falwell Jr. announced today that he will lead a new Federal Task Force on Higher Ed Policy for the Trump Administration that will identify changes to the U.S. Department of Education’s policies and procedures.

“The safety of every transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual college student is in jeopardy.   This announcement, following the nomination of Betsy Devos for U.S. Secretary of Education, is truly frightening for all Americans who value diversity, campus safety and LGBTQ inclusion within higher education.   There is no doubt that recommendations of this task force led by Jerry Falwell, Jr. will have grave consequences for LGBTQ students, faculty and staff within higher education.

Campus Pride calls upon the Trump Administration to reconsider their choice of Falwell as well as provide broader inclusion and a balance of perspectives for this task force, particularly for the LGBTQ community. This task force must represent a wide diversity of higher education professionals in order to offer any substantive recommendations that will further improve college campuses.  

Any step backward to exclude, discriminate or harm LGBTQ people within higher education will be met with a wave of resistance.”