#byu-i

[nerdygaymormon]

“How did we do in 2021?”

I received a message from the BYU-I alumni group with an invitation to take a survey. One of the questions was how I interacted with the school in 2021 and there were many choices to choose from, such as getting the alumni magazine, being in their mentor program, dropping off or picking up students, driving through Rexburg. 

I chose “Other” and said I donated to Color the Campus for the demonstration held at the campus entrance, I donated to the group who is renting a building and offers a safe space and counseling services for LGBTQ+ students, I donated to Rexburg Pride. 

Then I asked how much longer it’s going to be outside groups making things better for LGBTQ+ students? I understand when I was a student the whole country was homophobic, but what’s the excuse now for not taking steps to make campus more inclusive and safe for queer students? Perhaps they should form a queer alumni sub-group and let us help them make campus better

[heydocverdant]

LDS Church: we are an apolitical organization that doesn’t get involved in worldly politics

me: you’re publicly opposing the Equality Bill, a bill designed to end legal discrimination against LGBTQ+ people

LDS Church: right, but that’s because that directly impacts our ability to not let trans people go to BYU so we have to stop that

me: what about the public support for Prop 8, the bill in California that banned civil gay marriages? That wouldn’t have affected the church at all, but you raised $22 million dollars to support it

LDS Church: well, that one’s just because we hate gay people

[becauseihavebeengivenmuch]

Griping

Minor complaint. Sometimes for discussion boards for school (BYU-Idaho), I touch on things I actually do well in the church/gospel or areas of doctrine where I have a strong testimony. And sometimes my classmates respond with comments like “Wow, good for you! I I don’t have this in my own home [with my spouse and children] because it was never shown or taught to me by my own parents.” 

This irritates the snot out of me. I was never shown by my family either!! Why would you assume that? My husband and I are both converts! You’re an adult. Carry yourself. It’s not easy, but if we can do it with our dysfunctional childhoods and families, you can too! I have everything I have in the church because I wanted to for myself. It wasn’t handed down to me by the pioneers. 

[hedgiwithapen]

English Professor: I got these candy bars from the english department office. they were bought with university funds. This is the Lord's University.

English Professor: so what does that make these candy bars?

Classmate: Communist!

English professor: no, that's the cafeteria.

Classmate 2: ...holy?

English professor, eating a twix: the Lord has good taste in candy

[nerdygaymormon]

[nerdygaymormon]

I protested my university’s homophobic policies for a week straight. Here’s what happened.

Love always wins, even when policies don’t change

This is a great write up by Peter Lopez about his participation in the week-long protests at BYU-I following the Honor Code changes.

He shared how the removal of a few words made campus seem so much safer and how bitter it was to go having more freedom back to what had been the norm just a few weeks earlier.

Peter shows how a few people with an idea can make a difference as the “protest” grew from 12 to 150. Their presence sparked conversations that weren’t previously being held on campus. 

The contrast between the loving & celebratory mood of the protestors and the hate and animosity of those opposed to them is stark. 

I’m so proud of everyone who participated and supported this. You’re inspiring. And I love the pictures that are included in this article from the protests

[becauseihavebeengivenmuch]

Repeat Over Again...the Same Things as Before

[i-jpeg208]

Got to tour the BYU-I campus this past week and made this very important purchase at the campus store