The Pensacola Cristian College has released a statement defending the cancelation of The King’s Singers concert due to homophobia.

In a statement released on social media, the university said “Pensacola is a religious liberal arts institution founded upon and guided by the bible, as reflected in our Articles of Faith. The college cannot knowingly give an implied or direct endorsement of anything that violates Holy Scripture, the foundation for our sincerely held beliefs.”

The college continued, “At the same time, the college also recognized everyone is created under the image of God and should for afforded the dignity of kindness. PCC canceled a concert with The King’s Singers upon learning that one of the artists openly maintained a lifestyle that contradicts Scripture. The Highly talented musicians were treated with dignity and respect when informed of the cancelation. The artists stated their understanding and acceptance of the change and were given full remuneration.”

The statement comes after the ensemble released a statement noting that they had been canceled due to the lifestyle of one of their ensemble members. They added that it was the first time they had been canceled for reasons, not due to the pandemic or illness.

Pensacola Christian College’s action plays into Florida Governor Roin DeSantis’ Anti-LGBT rhetoric and continues the rise in LGBT discrimination and hate speech that has pervaded the USA in the past year. In Decemeber 2022, the FBI reported that hate crimes targeting the LGBT community have risen. Governor DeSantis himself has been at the forefront against the LGBT community signing a bill entitled the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill and attacking the trans community and Drag shows.