Student: Christian school gave me ultimatum because I'm gay

Saturday, February 7, 2015
Student: School gave me ultimatum because I'm gay
The student says he was asked to take down his YouTube videos about coming out and to go back in the closet or find another school

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A 17 year old boy says his school kicked him out because he is gay.

Austin asked us not to use his last name. He admits he has operated a YouTube channel for several months, posting videos meant, in part, to help teens feel more comfortable revealing their sexual preferences. Several days ago, however, he says the principal at his school called him into his office.

"He said that in the Bible it declares that being a homosexual is a sin and we cannot have you promoting a sinful lifestyle on air to the public," said Austin.

He was stunned. He told us the principal asked him to take down the videos or find another school, citing a morals clause in the student code of conduct.

"I don't want to go back into the closet. That's not what I want to do," Austin said.

Austin did not want us to name the school, but we have learned he was attending Houston's Lutheran High North.

School officials would not respond to our questions but referred us to the Lutheran Education Association of Houston. Wayne Kramer, executive director, said in part, "We respectfully require students to adhere to these accepted values and moral beliefs."

Kramer continued: "Students have to make choices and decide whether their beliefs align with our community."

Austin admits he knows the private school has the legal ability to decide who should be allowed into the school; however, he questions whether the steps the school has taken are moral or ethical.