Protesters carry lilies to represent LDS gays or lesbians who have committed suicide.
Jason Olson, Deseret Morning News
Posted on 04/12/2006 8:21:42 PM PDT by Utah Girl
PROVO — Brigham Young University police arrested 24 people, among them five current students, who participated Tuesday in a march and demonstration by a national gay-awareness group.
Protesters carry lilies to represent LDS gays or lesbians who have committed suicide. Jason Olson, Deseret Morning News |
"I'm not advocating a gay lifestyle," said one of the arrested students, Lauren Jackson, a freshman from Baxter, Tenn. "I've known people who have come out to me and who have struggled within the church. An anti-Christ-like attitude exists among many church members."
The students could face disciplinary action under BYU's Honor Code if university officials judge the march, organized by the group Soulforce, as advocacy of a gay lifestyle, which is contrary to the teachings of BYU's owner, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jackson and her boyfriend, Alex Liberato, sought advice before the march from BYU Police Chief Larry Stott and the associate dean of student life, Jonathan Kau.
Stott told the students before the march that if arrested, they would be banned from campus for 72 hours, but he lifted the ban for three students at 10 p.m. Tuesday and said he'd meet with the other two early this morning to consider a similar action.
Jackson wrestled with the decision to be arrested because she had a quiz Tuesday afternoon and a test scheduled today.
The Honor Code Office reports to Kau, who told Jackson and Liberato they likely wouldn't face damaging sanctions.
"If you're actively advocating, as it says in the Honor Code, that might be a different matter," Kau added. "If you're asking if you're going to be expelled, I don't think so."
The marchers proceeded somberly and silently on a 42-minute walk past the LDS Missionary Training Center, the Marriott Center, Larry H. Miller Field and LaVell Edwards Stadium.
 A BYU police officer talks with a "die-in" protester on BYU property. Jason Olson, Deseret Morning News |
Soulforce leaders read biographies of each of the gay men — 11 served LDS church missions and six were former BYU students or graduates. The rally included memorials for two other gay men who had ties to Utah or the LDS Church.
Each marcher represented one of the dead men and carried a lily. The rally lasted more than an hour, with each marcher waiting until a biography was read before walking from the street corner up onto campus and collapsing on the grass as if dead.
"People are dying, and we can't ignore that any longer," said Haven Herrin, a Soulforce organizer. "We offer the lilies to the university in honor of those who have killed themselves. They couldn't reconcile their LDS faith and their sexual identity. We hope for a safer future."
Police officers knelt by the demonstrators, warning them they would be arrested, then telling them they were under arrest. The demonstrators all voluntarily walked to waiting vans and left without being handcuffed. Police took Soulforce members to their hotel at their request, and the students went with them to the hotel, BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said.
Police provided three students with a ride back to campus.
The rally was part of the 2006 Soulforce Equality Ride. The Soulforce riders are traveling to Christian and military colleges and universities to use "relentless nonviolent resistance" to seek "freedom from religious and political oppression" for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people, according to the group's Web site.
"We are young people from around the country who have come to BYU to say, 'End religious-based discrimination,' " said Jake Reitan, co-director of the Equality Ride.
BYU was the 13th stop on the seven-week national bus tour. The group planned to leave today for Colorado Christian University in Denver.
Matt Kulisch, 23, a BYU student and LDS Church member, led the procession wearing a BYU athletic department T-shirt. Kulisch was arrested first.
"I'm proud to say that I'm gay," Kulisch said. "I'm also proud to say, without a shadow of a doubt, that God loves me."
Police issued citations to those arrested, Jenkins said. Each faces a May court date and potential fine. Liberato said Soulforce agreed to pay the fine.
Liberato said he returned last year from an LDS mission to Chile, where he helped a gay man return to church activity. Liberato said he was ashamed of the strong anti-gay sentiment he displayed.
"I feel penitent for my actions," said Liberato, who walked hand in hand with Jackson to the die-in and the police van.
Soulforce leaders expressed frustration that BYU didn't allow them to give speeches or hand out literature on campus.
BYU's Jenkins said the university upheld its policy governing outside groups coming to campus. BYU informed Soulforce of its policies weeks ago and made it clear the demonstrators would be arrested and how.
BYU allowed Soulforce members to have one-on-one conversations with students on campus Monday. Twenty people gathered to watch the die-in rally shortly after noon, and several said they were gay or lesbian.
"If their intent was to engage in that dialogue they had Monday, my question is, why did this (die-in) need to take place?" Jenkins said.
Homosexual conduct is banned by the Honor Code, but gay students can study at BYU if they avoid advocating a gay lifestyle and any behavior that indicates homosexual conduct. The LDS Church teaches that "marriage between a man and a woman is essential to (God's) eternal plan," according to the 1995 church proclamation on the family. It also teaches that sex is only to be between married men and women.
A gay BYU student who didn't participate in the march said he is going to leave the school because he constantly worries he will be disciplined under the Honor Code.
"I'm constantly in fear of doing something that would have some repercussions," said Emil Pohlig, a senior from Draper, Va. "The counselor I spoke to said any implicit or explicit act or show of homosexuality is subject to investigation or review by the Honor Code Office.
"I'm tired of worrying that anything I do, including this interview, may be considered implicit or explicit behavior."
Pohlig said he knows of at least 50 gay or lesbian students at BYU.
At Brigham Young University, the LDS Church-owned school's code of conduct directly addresses sexual orientation:
"Brigham Young University will respond to student behavior rather than to feelings or orientation. Students can be enrolled at the University and remain in good Honor Code standing if they maintain a current ecclesiastical endorsement and conduct their lives in a manner consistent with gospel principles and the Honor Code. 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."
"A gay BYU student who didn't participate in the march said he is going to leave the school because he constantly worries he will be disciplined under the Honor Code."
When do these kids study? When I was in college that is all I had time for.
I know. I worked full time when I attended BYU.
Exactly. A childhood friend of mine died from AIDS. He came home from his LDS mission honorably, and then later confessed to a homosexual lifestyle and moved to San Francisco. He died an early and ugly death.
That's an easy one.They can convert to Unitarian/Universalism.Then they can "express their sexual identity" during whatever pseuo-religious ceremonies they conduct in their "churches".
I go to BYU, and this whole event was a waste of time. SoulForce is against religious discrimination, so they came to protest. BYU set rules, it is private property, and when the "equality riders" broke the rules, they were cited, and escorted off campus. Overall I think BYU handled it professionally.
A much better description of his disposition is "sexually disoriented".
A gay BYU student who didn't participate in the march said he is going to leave the school because he constantly worries he will be disciplined under the Honor Code.
Maybe he can transfer his credits to the American University in Cairo, or some other university in a Muslim country. Then he can worry less about the "honor code" and more about "honor killing".
That fact is: GET A LIFE!!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I waste plenty of time on stupid crap and things that I shouldn't. But seriously, these utter losers.... these incomparable freaks wasting their lives on invented problems, non-issues, and sheer stupidity such as this.
*LOSERS!!!*
Trust me - we are perfectly aware of you. On another note, did they have mock anal sex to precede the die-in?
It seems to me that if one's faith forbids something, and one want to do that thing, suicide isn't the answer. How about not doing that forbidden thing? Or, alternatively, in this situation, becoming an Episcopalian?
Some years ago I worked with a guy who was both gay and LDS. I recall asking how that was working out for him. He had a really interesting perspective...yes he was gay, but the LDS church didn't recognize homosexuality, and since you weren't allowed to have sex outside of marriage...he just happened to be a very celibate gay person, as his friends were very celibate straight people. When I knew him some twenty years ago...he just planned to stay unmarried.
Too bad they also didn't arrest the so called "activist" at UC Santa Cruz.
"But by my actions," the remnants of his conscience managed to say, "I scream at God that I do not love Him!"
Then the turd burglar returned to his chosen "lifestyle" that should see him taking a dirt bath before he hits 40.
Make sure none of them paint "Bend over to learn" on the sign!
Gay BYU student Emil Pohlig was happy to see the protest and said he is planning to transfer from the school this year.Apparently, Pohlig is a senior at BYU. And it's wishful thinking that things are going to change. President Hinckley has counseled us to be kind and Christian towards everyone because we are all sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. However, sin will not be tolerated. I just don't get why gays think they have a license to 'express their sexual behavior' without any consequences, both physical and spiritual. Single straight members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints live the law of chastity."I would rather go to a school where I can express myself," Pohlig said. "I'm skeptical whether [Soulforce's protest] will produce any kind of action."
And Matt Kulisch is misguided/misled.
"I'm proud to say that I'm gay," Kulisch said prior to entering campus and dropping to the ground, as if dying. "I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God loves me as I am."The leaders of the LDS church affirm this regularly, love the sinner hate the sin.
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