[HeartStrongList] BYU Pulls in the Reins on Vague Anti-Gay Policy

[heartstrong at heartstrong.org]

Hi Everyone,

Over the past six years, HeartStrong has been predicting that many
religious educational institutions are about to change some of their vague
anti-gay policies and make them more specific.  This will be in direct
result to public exposure as well as the newly looming threat of high
profile lawsuits against religious schools with vague anti-gay policies.

Like many religious universities, Brigham Young University is no place for
someone who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.  However, many
students are coerced by their own religous beliefs or by their parents to
atend this school.

Previously, BYU's Honor Code and rules about homosexuality included the
following : "Brigham Young University will respond to student behavior
rather than to feelings or orientation. . . . Advocacy of a homosexual
lifestyle (whether implied or explicit) or any behaviors that indicate
homosexual conduct, including those not sexual in nature, are
inappropriate and violate the Honor Code."

Basically they were saying that the school would always look at a
student's behavior as opposed to invoking discipline as a result of
suspicion or even someone saying that they were gay (without 'practicing'
homosexuality).

The revised statement reads as follows:  "Brigham Young University will
respond to homosexual behavior rather than to feelings or orientation and
welcomes as full members of the university community all whose behavior
meets university standards. . . . One's stated sexual orientation is not
an Honor Code issue. However, the Honor Code requires all members of the
university community to manifest a strict commitment to the law of
chastity."

As you can see, there is very little difference between the two
statements.  The newer statement seems to make a statement that one's
admission of being gay is not grounds for dismissal or even exclusion from
enrollment.  HOWEVER, the key statement here is "BYU... welcomes...all
whose behavior meets university standards...the law of chastity."

While this new policy may have prevented the two students from getting
expelled a couple years ago for watching "Queer as Folk", the policy is
still anti-gay.  There are no pro-gay social events at this university,
only pro-heterosexual.  As well, the only students that are required to
live in chastity are single heterosexual students and those who identify
as gay. Again, heterosexual privilege prevails as usual.

Interestingly but not surprisingly, the rules only speak of homosexuality
and not the issue of transgendered students. Or, bisexuality.

This policy also confirms the school's position about homosexuality.  Most
people in this sect of Christianity don't really believe there is such a
thing as homosexual people, but rather believe that everyone is
heterosexual and some are just prone for falling victim to the "sin" of
homosexuality.  Just like others are prone to falling victim to the "sins"
of lying, cheating, stealing, murder, pornography, etc.

This new policy clears up any confusion about the school's position in
this area and confirms their belief in "original sin."

And, nothing is stated about discontinuing the degrading discussion and
name calling of those who exhibit homosexual "behavior" as sinners.  There
is also no statement made about the school's rabid history of promoting
reparative therapy both passive and extreme.

It is extremely important to note that there is NOT nor will there ever be
a non-harassment or non-discrimination policy on the books and enforced at
BYU.  And those policies are what is necessary for a school to be truly
safe.

As usual, things like this are predictable.  We predicted these changes
back in 2000. (Yet no one ever seems to believe us.)  There will be many
additional similar changes in hig profile schools as these schools
continue to seek to avoid public scrutiny, outrage and potential lawsuits.

Similar to this change, we expect many schools, even k-12 schools to
change their vague policies about homosexuality.  Many schools removed the
word homosexuality from their student handbooks and replaced it with the
highly subjective term of immorality.  Because of recent lawsuits by some
of our students, we expect some schools to begin changing their policies
to be more definitive.

Once again, proof that the work of HeartStrong is more important today
than it was nearly eleven years ago when we first began our outreach.

The HeartStrong board of directors is grateful for the continuous
financial support from many of you.  Without it, HeartStrong would not be
here for these students.

OUTREACH TRIP UPDATE:
We are off to Atlanta, and Tennessee and South Carolina over the next
week.  We have already been told by people who don't like HeartStrong that
we are not welcome where we are going in South Carolina as well as
Tennessee.  Funny how that makes us just do MORE.

Marc Adams
Volunteer Executive Director
http://www.heartstrong.org