Honor Code

BYU Y Trans Color Roni Jo Draper

A Light, Shining in the Darkness

March 20, 2022 |

It is hard for me to imagine a Jesus who would not have walked among those whose love and concern lit the Y tonight and would not also have brought his light as well to show love.

BYU Queer Student Leaders Panel

Watch Now: BYU Queer Student Leaders Panel from the 2021 Affirmation International Conference

September 18, 2021 |

Blaire Ostler moderates a panel discussion featuring queer student leaders from Brigham Young University campuses in Utah, Idaho, and Hawaii.

I am a Child of God Poster BYU Honor Code by Jacob Payne

Be one: Listening to the LGBTQ+ students at BYU

April 22, 2020 |

They were born into OUR Mormon families. They grew up singing the same Primary songs, learning the value of family relationships and wanting that for themselves, being taught they are each a child of God, learning to love one another, learning to get their own answers through prayer, and learning to stand up for what is right, even if they must stand alone.

BYU Idaho Honor Code Response - Ethan Chadwick

Religious organizations need to include LGBTQ community in efforts to be more loving and accepting

March 23, 2020 |

Nathan Kitchen is president of Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends, a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ individuals and their families as they navigate the intersections they occupy in life, including the ways they interact with the Mormon church, whether they’re members or not. Kitchen, an alumnus of BYU, spoke with me to discuss the changes and ambiguity in the honor code, its impact on students, and what could instead be done to create a safer and more loving environment for LGBTQ individuals.

Car Driving Sepia Winter Spring

COVID-19 and the Honor Code debacle – An existential meditation

March 17, 2020 |

As I began my drive, I viewed the hillsides, fields, and woodlands here in upstate New York. Such scenery has become my chapel of holy reflection, and I was lost in the beauty of my surroundings. Despite the fact that the snows have only just receded and the color scheme is still tawny, slate, and charcoal, I still see God’s creation in all of it. I find God in nature, and God finds me there, too. 

BYU Provo Honor Code March by Jacob Payne

Not so fast: Honor code changes not so black and white

March 13, 2020 |

There is no mention in Church policy of any prohibition of any form of physical intimacy for unmarried couples of any sexual orientation outside of abstaining from sexual relations. It’s not unreasonable that living a chaste and virtuous life at BYU would mean anything different than what has been expected of students their whole lives as active and worthy members of the Church.

A Peculiar People

Two Degrees off Center: A peculiar people

March 13, 2020 |

How do I handle this anger I’m feeling and still be authentic?  How do I bridle these passions, and channel this anger so I can feel Christlike love again?  The Lord and I talked it over quite a bit in the past week, and I’ve found an answer.  It’s not everyone’s answer, but it’s mine.

Gay Kids Grow Up Mormon

Unwritten rules can cause a lot of harm at BYU

March 7, 2020 |

All students have the right, regardless of sexual orientation to enjoy chaste, affectionate public behavior without any fear of reprisal. LGB students are worthy of the same rights, protections, and freedom of loving expressions which are afforded their heterosexual peers.

BYU Visit Smoot Admin Building

Affirmation president’s efforts to improve relations between BYU and LGBTQ community

February 25, 2020 |

You can claim change when any privileges available to heterosexual people are available to homosexual people and any privileges available to cisgender people are available to transgender and gender non-binary people. Until then, we all have work to do for our marginalized population of LGBTQ students.