Justin Massey chose to study at Wheaton College in 2011

because of the university's strong religious and academic record.

" I grew up as a very strong Christian and my faith was an important part,

thinking about moving forward with my academic studies.

And Wheaton, from what I came to know,

was widely understood as one of the best academic institutions

if you're looking for somewhere with a strong Christian tradition."

Massey, 23, thought that a Christian university would be a welcoming place.

But there was one problem: Massey is a gay, or homosexual, man.

Religious universities across the U.S. have asked the Department of Education