32: APPROVAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 245But now the First Christian Reformed Church in Toronto has “opened
church leadership to practicing homosexual members ‘living in com-
mitted relationships,’ a move that the denomination expressly
prohibits.”^24
In addition, Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the college
of the Christian Reformed Church, has increasingly allowed expressions
of support for homosexuals to be evident on its campus. World maga-
zine reports:
Calvin has since 2002 observed something called “Ribbon Week,”
during which heterosexual students wear ribbons to show their sup-
port for those who desire to sleep with people of the same sex. Calvin
President Gaylen Byker... [said], “... homosexuality is qualitatively
different from other sexual sin. It is a disorder,” not chosen by the
person. Having Ribbon Week, he said, “is like having cerebral palsy
week.”
Pro-homosexuality material has crept into Calvin’s curricu-
lum.... At least some Calvin students have internalized the school’s
thinking on homosexuality.... In January, campus newspaper edi-
tor Christian Bell crossed swords with Gary Glenn, president of the
American Family Association’s Michigan chapter, and an ardent foe
of legislation that gives special rights to homosexuals.... In an e-mail
exchange with Mr. Glenn before his visit, Mr. Bell called him “a hate-
mongering, homophobic bigot... from a documented hate group.”
Mr. Bell later issued a public apology.^25This article on Calvin College in World generated a barrage of pro
and con letters to the editor in the following weeks, all of which can still
be read online.^26 Many writers expressed appreciation for a college like
Calvin that is open to the expression of different viewpoints but still
(^24) “Reformed Congregation OKs Gay Leaders,” Christianity Today, December 9, 2002, 19.
(^25) Lynn Vincent, “Shifting Sand?” World, May 10, 2003, 41-42.
(^26) See http://www.worldmag.com. A search for the phrase “Calvin College” turned up letters in the
“Mailbag” section of World for June 7, June 14, June 21, June 28, and July 3, 2003. Calvin’s
president, Gaylen Byker, posted a response to the World article on the Calvin website under
“Calvin News” for May 2003; see http://www.calvin.edu/news/releases/2002_03/calvin_letter.htm.
He defends the diversity of the campus as well as its steadfast Christian orientation and aca-
demic excellence. He also says that the World article failed to give a balanced representation of
the entirety of the college campus, which is excellent in many ways. Regarding homosexuality,
he says, “Despite what World’s story might lead people to believe, homosexuality is not a pre-
occupation on Calvin’s campus. We are working as a college to follow the call of our denomi-