Alumni and students of Loyola University in Chicago are furious with the school for adopting a policy that bans same-sex couples from marrying on campus grounds, DNAinfo Chicago reported.
The new policy, enacted in December, only allows catholic-sanctioned weddings - between a man and a woman - at the university's Madonna della Strada Chapel in Rogers Park.
The rule change comes after Illinois passed a law legalizing same-sex marriage which is scheduled to go into effect in June.
"Our policy reflects our desire to reserve and use our facilities and campuses for rituals and ceremonies that are congruent with our obligations and values as a Jesuit, Catholic institution," said Maeve Kiley, a University spokeswoman, according to DNAInfo Chicago. "That is why we are limiting weddings to Catholic ceremonies in our Catholic chapel.
Before the state legalized same-sex marriage, the University's only requirement for marriage ceremonies occurring at their iconic chapel was that they were legally recognized by the state.
With the new law having the state legally recognize same-sex marriages, Loyola's policy would have allowed for same-sex marriage ceremonies to take place on many campus venues other than Madonna della Strada Chapel.
"I was extremely disappointed because that policy is not reflective of the Loyola that I know," Michael Jarecki, 35, told DNAinfo Chicago. "To me, this seems like two steps backwards."
Jarecki, who's gay and graduated from Loyola in 2001, said the school's decision was a "slap to the face."
"If Loyola doesn't see there are consequences to their actions, it won't change," Jarecki said. "Why go through the work to promote Loyola when they are personally rejecting me as a gay man?"
The former student said he will withhold donations to his alma mater unless the policy is changed.
The Cardinal Newman Society reported that wedding receptions "regardless of religious or gender identification" will be permitted in any of the university's other venues including Loyola's Cuneo Mansion and Gardens.
