Unfortunately it was at a time that not many students were out and about, but 24 SoulForce riders staged a "die in". They walked from the temple to the campus holding lilies, read memorials to 24 former gay BYU students who had killed themselves since 1965, and then layed themselves down on the campus grounds to signify that death. They were promptly arrested (though, like yesterday, they were no handcuffed, were only cited and driven back to their hotel :). Not many students saw it, but it definitely got into the papers and news as it was meant to do.
Interestingly, 5 of those participating and cited for trespassing were current BYU students (including the one in the front of the line here in the photo who also was a speaker at the rally). Two were a straight couple. The boyfriend, Alex Liberato said he was ashamed of the strong anti-gay sentiment he had on his mission (he has been home from Chile since last year, for those who don't know... most young Mormon men and some women go on two year missions to teach 'the gospel'). From the article:
"I feel penitent for my actions," said Liberato, who walked hand in hand with [his girlfriend] Jackson to the die-in and the police van
The article quotes another student who is gay (and didn't participate in the die-in) and transferring to another school that he knows of at least 40-50 other gay and lesbian students on campus.
That is a far cry from my experience at BYU two decade ago...
I attended BYU from 1981 to 1985 and again from 1988 to 1990 for a second degree. Times have changed some, not enough, but some.
I was deeply closeted both times at BYU, though the second time was the period I had come to grips with the fact that i would never change and, for my spirituality and sanity, had to find a different path than the one I was on (I came out in October of 1990, after leaving BYU in August and arriving at the University of Rochester in September... didn't take long after leaving :).
The first time at BYU included aversion therapy and then 'change' therapy. As you can see, neither worked.
Neither did a decade of prayers, fasting and struggling.
Anyway, I never knew anyone at the time that was gay or lesbian at BYU, or i didn't think I did. After leaving BYU, many of my former classmates at BYU turned out to be gay or Lesbian. One was on the student senate with me and my only opponent running for senate president (i lost by 2 votes :( ). Another was a housemate. And so on. Never did it cross my mind that these men and women were gay. I remember asking my therapist if there were others like me, if he were 'helping' others too. His answer was yes, but he wouldn't introduce me of course. I remember after about two years of therapy I basically demanded that he introduce me to a man who had overcome this 'same sex attraction' and was living a 'normal' life. He said he could, but he never would or did. I finally quit the 'therapy' when I left BYU the first time in 1985.
All the time, never knowing a single man or woman who was gay.
including the man I knew at BYU from 1983 to 1985, we both belonged to "Response" a peace and human rights goup. I met him again in 1996 when I learn that he was gay... and we started a relationship and is now my partner and soulmate.
Now at BYU, students are a little more brave and a little more open. There are still a lot of closeted ones and you are still expelled, and its difficult to be 'open', but this student knows 40-50 glbt students, so that is saying something.
Perhaps the Soulforce visit will open a few more eyes and hearts, and it will change a bit more.
