A student at Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma says she was expelled from the school for breaking a 'lifestyle covenant' by getting married to a woman. Christian Minard, 22, who went to the school on an athletic scholarship as a <br />star basketball player, says she was informed of the expulsion in a latter from a college administrator the day she returned from her honeymoon. <br /> <br />The pair started out as friends but eventually fell in love, and were married in Alburquerque, New Mexico - where same-sex marriage is legal - on March 17. <br /> <br />She posted a photo of the nuptials to her Facebook page, and it somehow found its way to college heads. <br /> <br />Her expulsion letter said gay marriage is not compatible with the 'lifestyle covenant' that all students sign on admission. <br /> <br />'As an American and a Christian, I do respect your choice,' the administrator wrote. <br />'(But) I have to uphold the Lifestyle Covenant at SCU and confront you with our position. <br />'Due to this recent event, you will not be able to attend SCU in the future.' <br /> <br />The school, which describes itself as part of the 'International Pentecostal Holiness' denomination, have refused to comment. <br /> <br />But Minard feels she is a victim of discrimination. <br />She said many students do not live by the university's lifestyle code, and feels she has been singled out as a lesbian. <br /> <br />'I'm trying to figure out how and where I can graduate,'. <br />'It's going to be hard to get into classes that may be full, because they gave me very little notice before the fall semester starts." <br /> <br />Minard had planned on becoming a strength and conditioning coach.But her educational and professional is now up in the air. <br />The incident, however has not affected her own fair. <br />Growing up Lutheran, Minard said she struggled with her sexuality but is now completely comfortable. <br />'I had questions, but I worked through those questions,' she said. <br />'And now I have a strong faith in God. And I believe you can still have faith in God and live a gay lifestyle.'
