St. Agatha Catholic School Faces Backlash After Rescinding Enrollment for Children of Same-Sex Couple

St. Agatha Catholic School, a longstanding Catholic institution serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Portland, Oregon, is facing mounting criticism following its decision to rescind an enrollment offer to the children of a same-sex couple. The move, reportedly made at the directive of Rev. Father Luan Tran, pastor of St. Agatha Catholic Church, has prompted a wave of concern from parents and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, who argue the action constitutes discrimination based on sexual orientation .

The family, who requested anonymity out of safety concerns, had applied to enroll their children last May and had engaged with the school, including allowing their child to participate in a shadow day. According to interviews, the child expressed excitement about joining the school community after the visit .

In late June, the parents received a message from the school's principal, Dr. Trista Casey, inviting them to a meeting to discuss their hopes for a Catholic education and to clarify the school’s alignment with Catholic teachings. When the couple arrived for the meeting on July 17, they were presented with a refund of their registration fee and informed that the offer of enrollment was being withdrawn. The abrupt decision left the family searching for alternative educational options with the start of the academic year looming .

The school has not issued a public statement detailing the specific rationale for the decision, but the involvement of Father Tran suggests that adherence to church doctrine regarding same-sex relationships played a significant role, as is often the case in similar incidents at Catholic institutions nationwide .

The decision has sparked backlash among parents and community members, some of whom have publicly questioned the alignment of such exclusionary practices with broader Catholic values of compassion and inclusion. Many have called for greater transparency and accountability from both the school and the church leadership, urging them to reconsider their approach to LGBTQ+ families .

National LGBTQ+ organizations have also condemned the school’s actions. Advocates argue that the case highlights ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ families in accessing faith-based education, despite increasing public support for inclusion. The Human Rights Campaign and other advocacy groups have issued statements reaffirming the need for strong nondiscrimination policies in all educational settings .

Oregon law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accommodations, but religious institutions such as Catholic schools are often granted exemptions under federal and state law. These exemptions allow faith-based schools to make admissions decisions in accordance with their religious doctrines, a point of ongoing legal and ethical debate .

This incident is not isolated. Catholic schools across the United States have faced similar controversies in recent years, prompting some Catholic communities to re-examine their policies and the impact on LGBTQ+ students, families, and employees. In Portland, advocacy by students and parents has previously led to changes in nondiscrimination policies at other faith-based schools, though the adoption and scope of these policies remain inconsistent .

St. Agatha’s decision reignites a national conversation about the balance between religious liberty and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. While the Catholic Church maintains doctrinal opposition to same-sex marriage, many Catholics—both lay and clergy—have called for a more welcoming approach to LGBTQ+ families, citing the core teachings of love, justice, and the inherent dignity of every person .

For many LGBTQ+ families, incidents like the one at St. Agatha Catholic School are a painful reminder of the barriers to full participation in religious and educational communities. Advocacy groups emphasize the importance of ensuring that all children, regardless of family background, have access to supportive and inclusive learning environments.

The backlash against St. Agatha’s decision has prompted some within the Catholic community to call for dialogue and reflection. As the new school year approaches, the affected family and their supporters continue to seek answers—and hope for change—within both the church and the wider community .