The U.S. Department of Education has published new documents that identify religious colleges that have sought and received exemptions from Title IX.

The controversial waivers allow the colleges to receive federal funding without violating their religious beliefs. As of April 1, 232 colleges had obtained a religious exemption from Title IX and 31 requests are pending, according to the department.

The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) initially called on the department to take action in a report released in December called "Hidden Discrimination: Title IX Religious Exemptions Putting LGBT Students at Risk." In the report, HRC spotlighted 56 colleges and universities, based in 26 states, that have requested religious exemptions under Title IX since 2013.

The department's requests and responses have been divided into those occurring before and after 2009. A chart shows that Illinois schools that have requested exemptions include Brisk Rabbinical College ( requested in 1977 and received the Office of Civil Rights grant in 1985 ), Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary ( 1977 and 1985, respectively ), Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago ( 1985 and 1986, respectively ), The Hebrew Theological College ( both in 1985 ), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School ( 1976 and 1985, respectively ), Trinity International University ( 2003 and 2005, respectively ) and Wheaton College ( 1976 and 1985, respectively ).

For more about the U.S. Department of Education's requests and responses, visit http:// Article Link Here .