LGBTQ dating ban at BYU probed in federal investigation

FILE - Students protest outside the student center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, after an official with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints school issued a clarification to the school's Honor Code, which said that same-sex romantic behavior is still "not compatible" with the rules at BYU. The U.S. Department of Education has opened a civil-rights investigation into how LGBTQ students are disciplined at Brigham Young University, a private religious school. The complaint under investigation came after the school said it would still enforce a ban on same-sex dating even after that section was removed from the written version of the school's honor code, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. (Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, File)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education has opened a civil-rights investigation into how LGBTQ students are disciplined at Brigham Young University, a private religious school.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports it comes after the school said it would still enforce a ban on same-sex dating even after that section was removed from the school’s written honor code.

A university spokeswoman acknowledged the investigation but said in a statement that BYU is within its rights to enforce the church’s policies against same-sex relationships and does not anticipate any further action. The school does have religious exemptions from sex discrimination laws.

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7 Comments

  • Joseph Smith January 21, 2022 at 1:03 pm Reply

    BYU should have the right to let whomever they would like into their school. And have whatever rules they want.

    BUT – their cult shouldn’t be tax exempt. It’s as much of a con job as the rest of them. And I hope they are put under a microscope and dealt with.

    And for the gay and lesbian brothers and sisters (like the dark skinned before them)…they still love you. Just not as you are, but definitely only when it serves their purposes.

  • Joseph Smith January 21, 2022 at 3:25 pm Reply

    And before the Mormon’s get sensitive on me – they are no worse of a cult and con than any other of the others – Catholics, Baptists, Muslim…it’s all make believe. Pretend! Something that someone invented for personal gain, for power, or sex/money. It’s all it is. Passed on from mommy/daddy to human beings that can’t use their brains. OR taught to people who are down on their luck, not smart enough to deduce reality, or downright duped.

    I’m not sure if I should feel badly for the stupid, anger for the tricksters, or just ignore the whole lot and shrug my shoulders and mind my own business.

  • Concerned January 22, 2022 at 6:41 am Reply

    Your viewpoint is valued and I thank you for standing up for your right to share that viewpoint. I am sorry that religion is not something that you consider to be important in your life, but it is very important to thousands of people across the globe. In the future, I hope that you recognize that they are only sharing their viewpoint and that it is just as valid as yours. Unless you have another person’s viewpoint I do not think it is your place to comment on how another person decides to express their viewpoint… (baring that it doesn’t infringe on anyone else and their own beliefs and viewpoint) Have the day that you deserve:)

  • Sinema January 22, 2022 at 4:47 pm Reply

    To each their own.

  • Joseph Smith January 23, 2022 at 1:41 pm Reply

    I couldn’t agree more with your post.

    In fact, I’d argue that religion is important to more than “thousands” of people across the globe. I’d also add that I think there is something wrong with all of these people that believe something that is pretend is real and make it the focal point of their life. It’s literally insane.

    I also agree that people should have the freedom to say and believe what they want. In fact, if you look at the very first thing I said – it was that. BUT, I do think that hate groups certainly shouldn’t be tax exempt. And, even if you put it sweetly, which I’m sure you do, the LDS treatment of “the gays” is hateful. And has horrible effects on the individuals and family members of the people they have previously duped.

    God should tell one of the higher ups to change it. Kind of like he/she told someone that dark skinned people weren’t from the devil (in 1978 – ha can you imagine being racist for that long?!?) and that people shouldn’t marry little girls (like it’s peterass leader did and ironically the guy with my same name did).

    Stay sweet.

  • Chris January 23, 2022 at 5:00 pm Reply

    Amendment 1 to the US constitution starts out as follows: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”

    As to those who say things like it is “all a cult and a con” etc… Actively religious people are more likely than their less-religious peers to describe themselves as “very happy”. Religious people tend to be less depressed and less anxious than nonbelievers. Societies which are religious have lower crime especially violent crime such as homicide.

    • Joseph Smith January 24, 2022 at 12:46 pm Reply

      Chris, I get it. And I’m aware of their rights, I kind of do that for a living. And I have many religious friends and family. So just let people play make believe? That’s certainly one argument – and it has some merit with their happiness and low crime rate, for sure. But what about when their lack of critical thinking skills and childlike nature gets manipulated? Like the evangelicals and Trump for example? Still okay with dumbing it down?

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