This article was written in reaction to the BYU Honor Code controversy which sparked some attention earlier this year. The misinterpretations of the exclusion of the "Homosexual Behavior"section in the honor code lead to CES student protests.
On the 21st of February 2020, Brigham Young University (BYU) released an announcement concerning its honor code and stance on homosexual relationships.
A BYU Honor Code clause on “Homosexual Behavior” was removed from the Handbook, creating questions and room for misinterpretation. The ambiguity of the changes which were reinforced with verbal statements made by workers in the Honor Code Office sparked campus-wide protests in the Provo, Utah area.
Workers suggested to students that, since the clause was removed, homosexual behavior would be allowed publicly on campus grounds. After the roar of celebrations for free homosexual expression and protests from students in disagreement with these policy changes, BYU released another announcement. This new statement informed students that the change to the Honor Code was merely a change in wording and that BYU, in fact, would not be supporting any type of display of homosexual behavior on its campus.
This has caused an uproar among students of BYU and others affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An explosion of tweets, Instagram posts, Facebook stories, and text messages from BYU students across the west have informed the public on this topic by displaying their personal feelings and reactions to these recent events.
One of the main clarifications made within the new official Honor Code notice pertains to the reason why the homosexual behavior ban remains in force. It states that, “Same sex romantic behavior cannot lead to eternal marriage and is therefore not compatible with the principles included in the Honor Code.” In response to this clarification, Aaron, a homosexual student attending a CES Institution, expressed his feelings on social media saying, “You know what else doesn’t lead to an eternal marriage? A lifetime of celibacy and loneliness, just saying.” This is just one example of student expression in reaction to the statement.
Megan, a heterosexual student attending a CES school, also expressed her opinion on the matter via social media saying, “While I do agree that the honor code is fair in reflecting church standards at a church school that we all agree to when we go here, I feel that it is extremely important for everyone that goes to BYU to feel safe and not like they are being watched and judged by others around them. The behavior of those supporting the Honor Code shouldn’t be the reason why a child of God feels like they don’t belong.” Reactions to the protests and policy changes have been bold on both sides of the spectrum.
Many feel as though BYU inappropriately changed the Honor Code. Others feel misled and frustrated by the apparent policy change which was immediately revoked and countered just under 2 weeks.
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