North Carolina students reject gay group

Student government leaders at Mars Hill College in North Carolina have voted against official recognition of a campus support group for gay students. The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina threatened to cut off $1 million in annual support if the school sanctioned the group Open Doors. Given the warning, Open Doors president Jason Miller said he was encouraged by what ended up as a close vote. "We'll be back next year," Miller said. "And, hopefully, it will go in our favor." Representatives of the Student Government Association voted 21-17 against recognizing Open Doors. Four students abstained, and three were absent. "I believe the decision rendered reflects the faith position held by most constituents within the Mars Hill College family," school president Dan Lunsford said. Many students worried about losing scholarship money if the club were approved, said Chris Gowan, a student senate member who campaigned against recognizing the club. "It's good for the college," Gowan said, "and it's good for the students." Junior class vice president Chelsey Gaddy said the club would have been open to all students who value diverse opinions, not just gays and lesbians. "This just breaks my heart," Gaddy said. "To me, this is about civil rights. People are going to be homosexual whether we recognize this club or not. I don't see why we can't allow it." (AP)