Davidson Academy turns down children because parents are gay

A non-denominational Nashville private school recently turned down prospective students because their parents are gay, drawing criticism from alumni and gay advocates while causing an uproar on social media.

Brian Copeland of Nashville and Davidson Academy had agreed on a time for him to visit and tour the Madison-area school this month for his children — a son who is entering pre-kindergarten and a daughter who is 8 months old. But a top school official, in a Jan. 14 letter, informed him that the school decided to cancel that visit after they learned the children are raised in a two-father family.

Though the couple never got to the point of applying for admissions, the school told Copeland that "another education provider would be a better fit for your children. Therefore, we cannot grant admission to your children."

Copeland, a real estate agent who is married to Greg Bullard, pastor of Covenant of the Cross in Madison, posted that letter on Facebook. Though he redacted the name of the school and the name of the official who wrote it, a reference to the school's handbook matches that of Davidson Academy, an interdenominational church on Old Hickory Boulevard that serves students ages pre-K-12.

Copeland wrote that he shared the letter to "let my friends know that discrimination affects people you know and love and still hurts no matter how many times you go through it.

"We chose this school because of its rigorous faith-based K-12 academics and extracurricular activities; and, a friend with a son there asked them if a family like ours would be allowed and was told yes. After a phone conversation, fully disclosing we are a two-dad family, an appointment was set for us. I receive this letter canceling our appointment without even getting a chance."

Copeland later told The Tennessean that he and Bullard's goal is "not to harm the school" but to show that "discrimination and inequality is alive and well." He stressed that he and his husband are not victims and they are not trying to inhibit anyone's religious beliefs.

"I want to make that very clear," Copeland said. "We want our children to have a Christian education, and we're finding that very, very hard."

Davidson Academy Headmaster Bill Chaney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Copeland and Bullard officially married in California in 2013 after holding a ceremony in Nashville in 2006. They have raised their children since their births.

While the school is not affiliated with any specific church or denomination, the Davidson Academy letter says that the school was founded by Christians and operated in the Christian tradition based on "clear tenets of faith and practice."

The letter pointed to the school's admissions policy outlined in its handbook, which requires all students, parents, guardians, teachers and administrators and staff to "manifest lifestyle conduct and actions which project an image consistent with the expressed purposes, missions and beliefs of the school." One example of this, the policy says, is homosexuality.

"Davidson Academy has the right and responsibility to do everything possible to ensure that its expressed purposes, mission, and beliefs continue in their highest traditions and are not harmed, compromised, or hindered by unacceptable lifestyle conduct on the part of its students, parents or guardians ..." the policy reads.

"Just as you believe strongly in affirming all persons who worship at your church, we believe strongly in a strict interpretation of the Scriptures regarding the institution of marriage," the letter goes on to to say.

In the time since Copeland posted the letter on Wednesday, friends of Copeland, including Davidson Academy alumni, have spoken out against the decision as Copeland's letter posting has picked up more than 100 shares on Facebook.

"I am so disappointed in my high school, Davidson Academy," Toby Compton, who works as executive director of the Metro Sports Authority, wrote on Facebook. "Sad, truly sad. Hurt deeply and I can't sleep.

Compton said he reached out to his former school, but was told they couldn't discuss the situation because it is a legal matter. "I thought in this day and age it was a more inclusive time — period," he said. "I was just kind of shocked. ... Here are two dads trying to do the right thing for their kids, and they're turned way."

Copeland and Bullard aren't planning any legal action against the school.

Chris Sanders, executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project, which promotes equality of gay, lesbian and bisexual people, said he couldn't recall hearing of another instance in Nashville of a school rejecting a child's entrance because of his or her parents' sexual orientation. He said it has likely happened here, but most people don't bring attention to it.

The fact that so many people of faith have re-posted the Davidson Academy letter, Sanders said, means that the "conversation has changed significantly in Nashville.

"Discriminating against parents, in this case, has an effect on the child," Sanders said. "And I think maybe that's what is so striking to so many straight allies. Do you hit an entire family if you have a disagreement with the parents? That's why this has legs. That's why this has power. That's why this has emotional impact."

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison.