CCCU Statement on Fairness for All

Statement from Shirley V. Hoogstra, President of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, on Fairness for All, introduced by Congressman Chris Stewart in the U.S. House of Representatives on December 6, 2019:

“The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) supports Fairness for All as a solution-based approach that addresses the cultural tension surrounding religious freedom and LGBT rights. The bill is both principled, a clear and demonstrable way for people of faith to “love our neighbor” in the civic context, and pragmatic, in that the bill makes explicit many religious protections important to a rich and vibrant civil society. Orthodox Christian convictions are central to Christian colleges & universities and there must be freedom to practice, teach, and uphold those without penalty. In pairing LGBT civil rights and religious freedom, Fairness for All underscores that all persons are created in the image of God, implying dignity, value, and worth. This approach represents civic pluralism at its best, in a society where people with deep differences can live alongside each other with respect and understanding. The CCCU urges Congress to pass this bill, which would balance the rights of the religious and LGBT communities in a comprehensive, balanced, and enduring way.”

For additional information on the CCCU’s position, please contact media@cccu.org.