Baylor University has rescinded a $644,000 grant intended to study the “disenfranchisement” of LGBTQIA+ individuals and women in churches, following concern from the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The grant, awarded to the university’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, was originally announced June 30 but withdrawn after criticism from Baptist leaders and stakeholders.
University President Linda A. Livingstone confirmed July 9 that Dean Jon Singletary and lead researcher Gaynor Yancey initiated the withdrawal, a decision she supported as “in the best interests of Baylor.” Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri welcomed the move, saying it aligns with Baylor’s policies on biblical sexuality and historic Baptist principles.
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The Baptist General Convention of Texas annually allocates more than $1.3 million in support for Baylor through designated funds, including scholarships and ministry aid.
Livingstone acknowledged the situation created “concern and confusion” but expressed a commitment to Christian care for all students while affirming biblical convictions.
See letter from Baylor University President Linda A. Livingstone below:
Dear Baylor Family,
I want to provide an important update regarding a recent matter involving a grant awarded to the Center for Church and Community Impact within the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. This grant supported the Center’s academic research aimed at exploring inclusion and belonging in the church, with a particular focus on LGBTQIA+ individuals in congregational settings.
Dean Jon Singletary and principal investigator Dr. Gaynor Yancey have voluntarily offered to rescind their acceptance of this grant on behalf of the School of Social Work and return all associated funds to the granting foundation. Provost Nancy Brickhouse and I support this decision and agree this is the appropriate course of action and in the best interests of Baylor University.
We remain committed to providing a loving and caring community for all – including our LGBTQIA+ students – because it is part and parcel of our University’s mission that calls us to educate our students within a caring Christian community.
Baylor also continues to strongly uphold the principle of academic freedom. As we reviewed the details and process surrounding this grant, our concerns did not center on the research itself, but rather on the activities that followed as part of the grant. Specifically, the work extended into advocacy for perspectives on human sexuality that are inconsistent with Baylor’s institutional policies, including our Statement on Human Sexuality.
Please be assured that Baylor’s institutional beliefs and policies remain unchanged. Our commitment to our Christian mission and our historic Baptist identity continues to guide our approach to academics, student life, and spiritual formation. We affirm the biblical understanding of human sexuality as a gift from God, expressed through purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman.
We recognize that this situation has caused concern and confusion for many within the Baylor Family and among our broader community of churches, partner organizations, and supporters. This has been a learning opportunity for many involved in this situation, and we aim to work alongside our college and school leaders, faculty, and research community, particularly during these challenging times for higher education.
Baylor remains deeply committed to its unique role as a Christian research university — one that encourages rigorous inquiry and thoughtful exploration of complex issues. We will continue to support our faculty and researchers in pursuing meaningful scholarship, while ensuring that such work aligns with our institutional processes.
I hope this communication provides clarity into what has been a difficult week for many within the Baylor Family. Thank you for your prayers and continued support for Baylor University.
Sincerely,
Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President
EDITOR’S NOTE — This report is a summary of a story written by Scott Barkley and originally published by Baptist Press.
