Small Steps

[muscadine]

I thought the BYU alumnae on my flist might be interested in this news item:
BYU changes honor code text about gay students
from this:

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.

to this:

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. Members of the university community can remain in good Honor Code standing if they conduct their lives in a manner consistent with gospel principles and the Honor Code.

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. Homosexual behavior or advocacy of homosexual behavior are inappropriate and violate the Honor Code. Homosexual behavior includes not only sexual relations between members of the same sex, but all forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings. Advocacy includes seeking to influence others to engage in homosexual behavior or promoting homosexual relations as being morally acceptable.

BYU officials denied the change had anything to do with recent Soulforce activist efforts, but rather claim it was a response to student questions and concerns.

Those being upbeat seem to be focusing on the removal of ambiguous language about a "homosexual lifestyle (whether implied or explicit)" and the allowance for sexual minority identification. However, I'm a bit concerned about "all forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings." Does this mean same-sex friends can't touch each other at all? Probably not, but it seems like this will now be a sticky area. Are there different "rules" for men and women? Probably so.

Comments

[travspence.livejournal.com]

I wondered about the "all forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings" clause, too. Maybe they mean lap dances. Or how football players pat each other on the butt.

[cranaspen.livejournal.com]

I at least like the part about welcoming and full member.

[feelmymoment.livejournal.com]

It seems like the "all forms of physical intimacy" might be one of those clauses that applies when convenient. Like if someone has a roommate who is gay and they interpret a hug as "inappropriate" then they can be reported and whatnot, but a hug between friends who are not concerned with the gay person's hitting on them (or something) would be acceptable.

It does seem to be a step in the right direction. Sort of.

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

Hmm, yes, that is also a definite change in connotation from the former language of "can be enrolled" and "remain in good...standing."

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's exactly what I'm thinking.

Or, "women friends" will be fine to hold hands or be huggy/cuddly and such as a default, but if they are suspected to be a lesbian couple they'll be reported. Of course, I don't know what the affectional norms are on the BYU campus to begin with. Any BYU alum care to enlighten us?

[acutegirl.livejournal.com]

I'm more concerned about this line: "Advocacy includes seeking to influence others to engage in homosexual behavior or promoting homosexual relations as being morally acceptable."

Does this mean that giving my gay sister a wedding gift would be a violation of the BYU honor code, since I'm condoning their homosexual relations?

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

That's a good question. That last part especially seems to be a speech code, and thus tricky. I think they'd be better of sticking to behavior and letting the arguments stand or fall on their own merits.

[queerbychoice.livejournal.com]

"Does this mean same-sex friends can't touch each other at all?"

No, only gay same-sex friends. Heterosexual same-sex friends can touch each other all they want (including nakedly, as long as they can think up some convenient excuse for being naked that defines their behavior as not actually "sexual") because everybody knows heterosexuals are incapable of having any of those feelings. But gay people had better not touch anybody of the same sex ever - including Dick Cheney - because everybody knows that everything gay people ever do is motivated by constant uncontrollable lust for every member of the same sex that they ever see.