A BYU student flashed a Pride flag at graduation to honor LGBTQ students like herself

[groundloop]

Source: CNN

When Jillian Orr walked across the stage to accept her degree in psychology from the Mormon-owned Brigham Young University, she was anxious -- and not just with the usual pre-commencement, rest-of-your-life-ahead-of-you jitters.

Orr planned to use her final moments as an undergrad to honor herself and the other LGBTQ students at BYU like her who hadn't felt comfortable being fully authentic on campus, instead feeling pressured to hide some or all aspects of their LGBTQ identities. In recent years, the school has made clear that it does not embrace gender and sexual diversity.

[snip]

In the last two years, LGBTQ students at BYU have seen their school seem to bend to inclusion, only to then double down on exclusion. In 2020, weeks before the pandemic would halt in-person classes, BYU administrators removed a passage from the university's honor code that explicitly banned "homosexual behavior." At the time, LGBTQ students were cautiously optimistic that this meant they could be more open about their relationships on campus.

Then came the apparent reversal: Two weeks after students celebrated what they believed was a major change to the honor code, the church clarified that "homosexual behavior" was still "not compatible" with the school's values. Orr, who was on campus during the whirlwind of celebration and subsequent letdown, called the announcement a "kick in the knees."




Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/03/us/byu-lgbtq-graduation-jillian-orr-cec/index.html

[BlueIdaho]

3. As much as I loath that Mormon University.

She has real courage, unlike that school which finds free speech a real problem for faculty, staff, and students.

[shenmue]

2. Yes

[wcmagumba]

4. Good on her but they'll probably try to revoke her degree or some such assfoolery...nt

[Rebl2]

8. That's

what I would fear.

[Happy Hoosier]

5. I mean, good for her I guess?

But I wonder why an LGBTQ+ student would attend BYU. Seems an odd choice.

[FreeState]

6. Typical response

As someone who was raised in the Mormon faith this assertion that queer mormons can just choose to attend a different university or school is quite ignorant. It's up there with asking rape victims why they dressed sexy. Completely off the mark and harmful.

[AllTooEasy]

9. If you don't like the burning crosses "just move"

Same sentiment from racist Whites

[FreeState]

10. Yep

Unfortunately it is far too common a sentiment. Same tactic used against a different minority (it's amazing how often that happens).

[Happy Hoosier]

11. Why is she restricted to BYU?

I mean… it seems like a terrible place to be.

Last time I visited SLC I remember the hotel TV had a BYU channel. It was shocking. I can’t imagine hat it was like for her and other queer BYU students.

[FreeState]

12. She's not if she wants doesn't want to be with her family for all eternity

The church is a cult. All decisions are influenced by the church - including going to the “Lords University”.

You have to remember that the church teaches that if you leave you will be separated from your family forever in the next life. This fear tactic enables the church to use families as methods of keeping people onboard. Look up the suicide rates in Utah - much of it is a direct link. Hell when I went to the temple the first time I had to pantomime killing myself three different ways in front of my family should I ever reveal the secrets. You can read more about them here: https://www.lds-mormon.com/penalty-shtml/

Also if you want her specific reasons check out her Tick Tok or insta - she didn’t realize she was bisexual until after she started attending (plus all the above).

[Happy Hoosier]

13. 'Aight....

I will check it out.

I get what the Mormons teach. I guess I assumed she became apostate, given that she rejects the church’s teachings on sexuality.

But I remain mystified by the LDS church anyway.

[IronLionZion]

18. A lot of LGBTQ hate comes from people's own families

there's a good chance she wasn't out before or may not have even known she was gay until college.

I dated a BYU student years ago who was here in DC on an internship. She apparently had no problems with premarital interracial sex. Good things happen that they don't want Mormon elders to know about

[Happy Hoosier]

20. Fair enough.

It just seems like it would be agony to be queer in a place like BYU.

[twodogsbarking]

7. She looks happy. Hope she is.

[brooklynite]

14. Begging the question: why was she going to BYU?

[FreeState]

15. The answers in the article n/t

[Hekate]

16. Thank you for your knowledgable input to this thread

[AverageOldGuy]

17. "Under the Banner of Heaven"

To see Mormonism in action, either read Jon Krakauer's book by this title, or, watch the current Hulu series of the same title.

A brainwashed cult.

But, then, aren't all religions brainwashed cults?

[Joinfortmill]

19. Brave girl.