Students rallied this week to support a transgender male student at George Fox University in Newberg, OR who wants to transfer to the school's men-only dormitory. According to KOIN, Jayce M became legally male this month and feels that he no longer belongs in the Christian college's female dorm.
“In order to create change, someone has to stand up. I’m willing to do that,” said Jayce.
“I started testosterone last year in May, so I will be almost a year on it. I have legally changed my name now. I’m legally male as of Friday,” he explained.
More than 14,000 fellow students signed a petition in support of Jayce, but school administrators have said that he must either stay in the female dorm or take a single-occupancy apartment on campus. Otherwise, they said, Jayce must find an off-campus residence.
“While the university did not grant his request to live on campus with males, the student was not denied on-campus housing. He was offered the option of an on-campus single apartment with a commitment from Student Life to ensuring he stayed socially connected to the community,” read a statement from the university.
Jayce told reporters that he does not believe that the LGBT community and the Christian community have to be at odds.
"I believe and have faith that the LGBTQ and Christ-centered communities can be in harmony. Both sides must learn to be in conversation,” he said.
KPTV reported that Jayce's legal representative filed a complaint with the Oregon Board of Education.
"Because it receives federal money, the university needs to abide by non-discrimination standards," said attorney Paul Southwick.
"I'm hoping that the school will listen and grant me on-campus housing," said Jayce to KPTV. "For the future, I hope that I'll be able to pave the way for future transgender students as well as any other people that are being marginalized."
Watch video of the march, embedded below:
