Headteacher expels gay student because it's what 'Jesus would want'

A headteacher of a private Christian school in Texas expelled a student for coming out as gay, saying he had no choice because it was what “Jesus would want”.

The mother of Covenant Christian Academy pupil Devin Byrant, based in the northeastern town of Colleyville, received a phone call from the school’s leader saying he would be barred from coming back.

Student kicked out of school for being gay because it’s what ‘Jesus would want’.

A kind and disciplined student, his mother said, Devin has attended the school since pre-kindergarten while his older sister having attended the school almost 20 years ago.

But after the 17-year-old senior came out as gay, headteacher Tony Jeffrey said there would no longer be a place at the school for him.

His mother, Consolata, told the Dallas Voice newspaper that she attempted to reason with Jeffrey. “Are you a Christian?” she asked.

Jeffrey replied: “I’m doing what Jesus would want me to do.” After Consolata defended her son – bringing up his sparkling A-grade track record – Jeffrey recommended she seek parent counselling, she said.

Devin had come out last year in October in an Instagram post. Like in all small town schools, the news quickly spread and Devin said even school administrators soon caught on.

“People said they are there for me,” he said. “They were proud of me for making the decision to come out.”

“People in the administration knew,” he added. “I think they were ignoring it.”

Homophobic headteacher showers gay student with praise before saying his sexuality is ‘inappropriate’.

Two weeks later on Monday (31 August), Jeffrey sent a letter, one awash with praise, to current parents, alumni and the wider school faculty outlining his decision to expel Byrant.

He called Devin “a popular, well-behaved student, talented artist and gifted athlete who has made significant contributions to our program during his tenure here,” and added that he was an “exceptional student,” according to the Dallas Voice.

He cited the institution’s historic and “deeply held religious beliefs”, that include the view that “the expression of human sexuality is appropriate only within the boundaries of a marital relationship between one man and one woman”.

Jeffrey noted such views are codified in the school’s “Doctrinal Statement”, which bans homosexuality. Consolata said she signed the document, but remains perplexed as to why it took school leaders some 10 months to act.

Confusion aside, and with the coronavirus still gnawing at modern life, Devin is set to enrol at a public school for his senior year.

“I don’t have any hate or hold a grudge,” he said.

“I know I’ll end up fine.”