Beaufort County college leaders defend student LGBTQ+ support club as commissioners object

Beaufort County Community College representatives told the Board of Commissioners they will continue to allow an extracurricular student support club for LGBTQ+ students to meet on campus and must comply with federal and state law.

Colonel Kathy Simpson, chair of the college board of trustees, said the club is small, has a faculty advisor and ‘‘complies with all college policies.’’ She told commissioners that gender identity and sexual orientation are protected under current law and that denying the club while allowing other student groups to meet would be unlawful. ‘‘The college cannot be drawn into a narrative that encourages discrimination against certain students,’’ Simpson said.

Dr. Loop, speaking for the college, said the club’s purpose is support: ‘‘This club is not about politics. It is about support. It is about keeping students safe’’ and helping with bullying prevention and suicide prevention, he said.

Commissioner Richardson challenged that account and argued Title IX ‘‘does not mandate that you become an activist and encourage a club of this kind on campus.’’ Richardson asked whether the college was using public property to ‘‘promote’’ what he described as ‘‘abnormal behavior,’’ and said he believed taxpayers would not want county resources spent to support it.

The exchange grew heated. Commissioner Randy moved that county staff ‘‘reach out to the community college and ask them for naming rights to name the LGBTQ club the Hood Richardson LBGT club’’; the motion was seconded and taken to a hand vote. Commissioners discussed procedure and whether the county should intrude on college governance. Officials present repeatedly emphasized the college’s legal obligations under federal regulations and constitutional protections.

No ordinance or county policy change was adopted at the meeting. College officials said the club complies with Title IX and other legal protections, and they warned the college would face litigation if it tried to bar the group from assembling. Commissioners closed the item after public debate and thanked the college representatives for attending.

What’s next: The college’s legal obligations and the board’s concerns were aired publicly; no binding action by the county to prohibit or rename the club was recorded in the meeting minutes. If the county seeks formal action, it would require a separate agenda item and a clear motion directing staff to pursue that step.