Palm Beach, FL- How do Christian schools deal with gay students? Are the students counseled to become straight? Do they stay in the closet until graduation? Can they be kicked out? And do the schools have written policies that parents and kids can read before signing up?

All interesting questions, said Thomas Scott, vice president of operations for the Association of Christian Schools International, a service organization for about 5,400 schools in 106 countries. "That’s a real issue of our times today."

It’s an issue many Christian schools – including a handful of local ones – haven’t often faced, if ever. But as gay culture goes mainstream and as younger kids deal with their sexuality, that’s bound to change. Most Christian schools ban sexual harassment and expect chastity outside of marriage from all students, regardless of their sexual orientation. But that doesn’t explain how administrators would handle learning a student was homosexual, something most Christian denominations teach is a sin .

None of five Christian schools contacted has a specific policy for that. Nor does the Association of Christian Schools International or the conservative Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Howard Burke, executive director of the Florida association, said most of the schools consider homosexuality to be "an abomination" and a sin.

A student "would be counseled in that capacity, and if they could not accept that they would probably be dismissed based on the fact that it is an immoral lifestyle," Burke said. "It is politically correct, but it is not morally correct."

King’s Academy and Summit Christian, both in suburban West Palm Beach, belong to the Florida group. King’s Academy administrators would not comment for this story.

Rick Heers, high school principal at Summit Christian, said his school teaches that homosexual activity – not struggling with homosexuality – is a sin. But he hopes no student would be singled out or harassed for homosexuality.

"We don’t really pursue rumors, whether it’s heterosexual or homosexual," he said. "If it comes and really sits down on our desk and slaps us in the face , we’d investigate. ." He’s dealt with one situation involving homosexuality in his employment at Summit Christian. He wouldn’t discuss details.

Lake Worth Christian in suburban Boynton Beach would not hire a teacher or staff member who was openly gay, Superintendent Leonard Stob said. But he wouldn’t consider a homosexual student to be a discipline problem. The school would work with a student’s family if requested. "I really wouldn’t have a clue who’s what," Stob said about his students’ sexual orientation. "We don’t ask that on our application or anything along that line, and really would have no way of identifying (anyone)."

He assumes gay students have attended Lake Worth Christian in the nine years he’s been there, but they’ve kept it quiet.

At area Catholic schools, "public displays of a gay lifestyle" would not be allowed, said the Rev. Alfredo Hernandez, secretariat of education for the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Boca Raton Christian School Headmaster Bob Tennies remembers a situation at the school when a student expressed interest in a gay lifestyle.

Administrators spoke with the student, told the student it wasn’t appropriate within the school’s biblical mission and the student accepted that. "It never was a problem," Tennies said, "and the student went on to finish.

If students are struggling with their sexuality, they need "time and grace" to work through that, Tennies said. But if students are set in their decision, they would be asked to leave .

As history shows, it shouldn’t come to that, he said. Parents, students, teachers and staff typically work closely at the small school – 101 students in grades 9 to 12 this year – and would reach a mutual decision.

"Usually, (in disciplinary situations) it’s an agreement that we just don’t see life in the same way," Tennies said. "And we agree that it’s best to part."

edited from the Palm Beach Post

HeartStrong has been working fervently for the past six years to reach the students at these schools before they are given "time and grace"...meaning, biblical reprimand and reparative therapy.

In the coming months, HeartStrong will be developing a survey to be given to religious schools and colleges regarding their position on GLBT students and employees. If you would like to help administer this survey please email Marc Adams at heartstrong@heartstrong.org