An article posted on Facebook by the LA Times about U.S. colleges caught my eye. It was a haunting reminder that as certain things are changing for the better, traces of discrimination and homophobia still linger.

Westmont College near Santa Barbara, Calif. is a Christian post-secondary school that bans what is termed as “homosexual practice.” It doesn’t specify holding hands or sexual intercourse; just the “practice,” which could mean any or all aspects of the gay lifestyle, like having a relationship or just being open about one’s sexuality.

Thirty-one LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) alumni of Westmont published a letter in the college newspaper that revealed their feelings of “doubt, loneliness and fear” while attending the college.

To have a policy itself on “homosexual practices” is not only vague, but sends a message to LGBT students that they aren’t OK to have around. Sadly, there are about 200 other colleges in the U.S that have similar policies.

Imagine for a moment if the Lethbridge College did this. It would be like putting up a huge sign on the front doors that said: “No gays allowed.” It cuts them off from an education that they are entitled to. Gay groups aren’t allowed to do this to straight people – where do educational institutions get the right to hang such a sign on their doors?

Here in Canada, LGBT students are fortunate that such policies aren’t as common. It also benefits straight students. If we all learn while we are young that it is not OK to discriminate and that there is nothing wrong with being yourself, then we are more likely to be open to different kinds of people later on.

I know because I have had the pleasure of befriending a gay throughout my two years at LC. One thing about him that will always stick with me is how unafraid he is to be himself. It isn’t until you meet someone inspirational that you realize the courage it takes to show your true colours. I know so many straight people who lack that courage, myself included up until recently.

Campuses across the country, including our own, have pride groups. Such groups don’t exist in places like Westmont College. Pride groups are beneficial to LGBT students. It’s where they find acceptance, so that they don’t have to feel that agonizing isolation.

Is finding acceptance a “homosexual practice?” LGBT students at Westmont don’t know. It’s not specified.

Rules and policies shouldn’t target a certain group of people unless there is a good reason to. LGBT students are just like everyone else; they should be treated as such.