An upcoming student-sponsored event is bringing in a controversial speaker to USC Aiken.
The Baptist Collegiate Ministry at USC Aiken will be hosting Patti Height, with Out of Egypt Ministries, who will be giving a lecture on “Conversation on Sexual/Gender Identity” on March 25 at 6 p.m. in the Penland Administration Building room 106.
According to the Out of Egypt Ministries website, in her 20s, Height “embraced a gay, gender non-conformed identity, believing she was ‘born this way.’”
That changed when she found God in 2003, and in 2013 she founded Out of Egypt Ministries and the ministry works “to help others find the same truth, peace and healing she found in Jesus Christ. Out Of Egypt Ministries seeks to accomplish this by way of equipping Christians to reach out and minister to the LGBT community with the love and truth of the Gospel,” according to the OOEM website.
However, the visit from Height is upsetting to some community members. The Right Rev. (Bishop) Gregory Godsey, OSFoc, with the Saint Francis Parish in Augusta and USC Aiken student, said it’s upsetting that Height is able come speak at USCA in 2023.
“Given Ms. Height’s past comments that advocate for forced conversion therapy on teenagers and young adults, and the fact that she has aligned herself with violent figures against LGBTQ…I’m concerned about students and staff who identify as LGBTQI,” Godsey said.
The Rev. Debra Guthrie, with Aiken Unitarian Universalist Church, said conversion therapy is dangerous for LGBTQ youth.
“It increases depression and feelings of being less than or different or broke in LBGTQ youth,” Guthrie said. “It increases suicide and it doesn’t work. We are what we are. So for us to accept that is the quickest way for us to obtain happiness, for us to accept our authentic selves…we need diversity. We don’t need to be all robots the same.”
Gina Booth with BCM said the organization teamed up with Calvary Chapel Aiken, who is bringing Height in to speak for a weekend.
“They’ve heard her speak before and said she’s really good, she shows grace, she presents truth,” Booth said. “She was a lesbian, she came out as a teenager, she was living with her girlfriend and then when she was a young adult, she accepted Christ and changed her life. Now she’s going around showing love to that community since she was a part of it…we just thought it would be good, there’s a lot of confusion right now, students are getting a lot of mixed messages and just want to make sure we show what the Bible says.”
As for those upset about Height coming, Booth said they aren’t trying to start a fight and that people know how God views sexuality.
“We want to show love, we want to make sure that everyone has options,” Booth said.
Pastor Jim Bigl at Calvary Chapel of Aiken said Height is not a woman of “vitriol or anger” and that in his experience “she’s not out to harm anybody, she’s a woman full of love and grace.”
“We believe very single person, everyone is made in Gods image…we also believe are more than capable of making up their own mind…we don’t try to tell somebody what they have to believe, we simply point them to what the word of God says,” Bigl said.
As for being a hate group, Bigl said he doesn’t believe they are one and doesn’t believe Height is one either.
“(I would say) we are a love group, we love the Lord and love people,” Bigl said.
Godsey stated the visit from Height violates the student handbook. According to the USC student handbook under the harassment/bullying section, conduct that is directed against a group or student based on their color, race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, etc., that interferes with or limits the ability of a group or an individual to benefit from programs, activities and services provided by the university, is prohibited.
“Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, action(s) or statement(s) that threaten harm or intimidate a person, or any other form of unwanted contact either in person or through technology,” according to the handbook.
When asked about the visit, in a statement USC Aiken said: “The speaker was not invited or endorsed by the university; however, we have a responsibility to uphold First Amendment protections to speech, which requires we share space with individuals whose views sometimes differ with the university’s values. The speaker was invited by a recognized student organization who has a constitutional right to sponsor this presentation, and as a public university, we are obligated under the First Amendment to protect their right to do so.”
The university added the student organization followed all policies for events and publicity. The university also added the faculty/staff adviser does not approve student events, but makes sure they comply with university policy, which the advisor did.
“We know that words can be hurtful and harmful, and we stand ready to provide resources and support to any community members who may be adversely affected by the speaker’s presentation,” the university said.
In response to the lecture, a Pride Out at USC Aiken peaceful protest will be held near the building from 5 p.m. until around 7 p.m. Godsey said several organizations have organized the protest and people are encouraged to come out in their PRIDE outfits.
“(It’s to) show the students some love and support because all their getting from administration is we don’t value their life and care if you live or die…I want them to feel loved and supported…” Godsey said.
