Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Brigham Young University

Activism

Headed by a BYU student, demonstrators carry lilies to "die-in"

BYU security arrests demonstrator during "die-in"

Kiwanis Park rally

BYU Security arrests demonstrator at BYU's Brigham Square

Demonstrators interact with BYU students

“How much do you know about gays and lesbians? Would you like to know more?”

BYU Students and demonstrators stand in vigil

Soulforce Equality riders

Hundreds Protest BYU's Policies towards Gays
Twenty-four Arrested during Historic Demonstrations

by Lisa Hansen
April 2006

Unauthorized speeches, a rally, a march, and a historic "die-in" forced Brigham Young University officials for the first time to confront pro-gay demonstrations held in their own backyard.

On April 10 some 200 demonstrators heard Matt Kulisch, a 23-year-old BYU student and returned missionary, speak at a rally held in a park adjacent to BYU's Provo campus. Kulisch shared an experience he had when he survived a potentially deadly car accident. After the mishap, Kulisch's mother told him it would have been better if God had taken him from the earth rather than leave him to be gay.

"The sad part," Kulisch added, "is I believed her."

The events were sponsored by Soulforce as part of their national ride to protest the climates of homophobia and condemnation that GLBT people endure in religious and military colleges around the country.

On April 11 Kulisch and other BYU students joined a march that ended on university property. The marchers were arrested, beginning with Kulisch.

Before being arrested, the demonstrators staged a "die-in" in memory of 24 gay Mormons who have committed suicide since 1965. The "die-in" lasted more than an hour. Each participant waited while the biography of a gay Mormon who had committed suicide was read. The demonstrators then walked to a field carrying a lily and collapsed on the grass.

"My church has always taught me the principle of standing for something true," said Kulisch. "My integrity demanded this message of God's love for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people be told in its entirety. Others have died because they did not receive this message. If I can't put my life on the line in their memory, then I'm not being who I should be."

Lauren Jackson, who is straight, was one of the BYU students arrested during the "die-in" event. "I'm not advocating a gay lifestyle," said Jackson. "I've known people who have come out to me and who have struggled within the [LDS] Church. An anti-Christ-like attitude exists among many Church members." Jackson was joined by her boyfriend Alex Liberato, who recently returned from serving an LDS mission in Chile.

BYU student Emil Pohling did not participate in the march but told the press he will leave BYU because he constantly worries he will be disciplined under BYU's so-called "Honor Code" system.

"I'm constantly in fear of doing something that would have some repercussions," said Pohling. "The counselor I spoke to said any implicit or explicit act or show of homosexuality is subject to investigation or review by the Honor Code Office. I'm worried that anything I do, including this interview, may be considered implicit or explicit behavior."

Pohling says he knows at least 50 gay or lesbian BYU students.

Owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), BYU ranks among the most homophobic campuses in the US. Over the years gay and lesbian students have been routinely entrapped, spied on, forced to undergo electroshock aversion therapy, and summarily expelled from the university.

See also:

Brigham Young University Pages

Five BYU Students Placed on Probation

Memorial for gay Mormon Suicides

Advocate's Report on the Protest

2nd Day Of Gay Arrests At BYU

Soulforce