By Jarren Rogers

A special chapel discussing LGBTQ issues will be held tonight at 6 p.m. in Boone Convocation Center.

The idea for this exclusive chapel came about after university chaplain and assistant professor of Christian worship Shawna Gaines spoke with LGBTQ students on campus.

“It came about from conversations with students on campus and how they find their place in the Christian community here,” said Gaines.

University president Dan Boone will open the chapel with a few words of introduction. The chapel will feature junior Dylan Green and the director of Equip Ministries Peter Valk.

Following the service students can gather in the fireside room in CLCS to ask Green or Valk questions.

These conversations about sexuality aren’t so much about the issue at hand but caring for the individuals that are effected.

“It is important that we have this conversation with love, grace and truth. For us at Trevecca, this isn’t just another hot topic issue to be argued and debated. This is about our students who have names and stories. This is about the witness of the Christian community,” said Gaines.

Some students think it is important to have conversations about sexuality because it has become taboo to talk about.

“It is important that we talk about it so that we can understand it better rather than it be some monster that we are afraid of,” said senior Brady Smith.

Other students feel that Trevecca is the perfect place to have these conversations.

“Having a healthy and safe place to talk about these kinds of things eases the awkwardness of discussing this seemingly taboo subject. Sexuality is a very normal and natural thing and it should be talked about it as if it is,” said senior Maddie Clark.

Gaines urges students to continue to have these conversations even after the service.

“I hope more conversations continue as we all seek to be more faithful in our call to follow Jesus and love our neighbor as our self,” said Gaines.