In the months and weeks after the changes to the Honor Code on Feb. 19 and the clarifications to those changes on March 4, students and faculty at BYU–Hawaii shared some of their confusion and the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ students. LGBTQ+ students also shared their gratitude toward students and administration who have supported them.
“[LGBTQ+ students] are individuals. We want to be looked at as individuals and be valued as individuals not just because we identify as something else,” said Ron Chand, a graduate from Fiji who majored in accounting.
“For those who are allies, and we have a lot of allies, we’re just so grateful. We just want to be able to thank them and say thank you for being there for us.”
For those who are allies, and we have a lot of allies, we’re just so grateful. We just want to be able to thank them and say thank you for being there for us.
Michelle Blimes, an instructor in the Faculty of Education & Social Work, said she has encouraged faculty members to let students, specifically LGBTQ+ students, know they are a safe space, and students can talk to them.
“There’s been some talk about professors putting signs in their office letting students know they are a safe space and showing support for these students. There has been a lot of fear around the Honor Code and [students] being afraid to be out about this part of their identity because of feeling like they would be scrutinized more carefully than straight students would. So, I think a lot of people don’t share that part of themselves and live in a lot of fear.”
On Feb. 19, the Church Educational System announced changes to the Honor Code in order “to be in alignment with the doctrine and policies of the Church.”
A noticeable change for students of CES schools was the removal of the section in the Honor Code addressing “homosexual behavior,” which previously stated while same-sex attraction was not against Honor Code, homosexual behavior did not follow the guidelines.
According to byu.edu, the updated version of the Honor Code contains no reference to the previous section prohibiting homosexual behavior.
This removal caused some confusion among students at CES schools, including students attending BYUH.
Two weeks later, Elder Paul Johnson, commissioner of the Church Educational System, released a statement clarifying what the changes meant.
In the letter, he stated, “One change to the Honor Code language that has raised questions was the removal of a section on ‘Homosexual Behavior.’ The moral standards of the Church did not change with the recent release of the General Handbook or the updated Honor Code.”
The statement continued, “Same-sex romantic behavior cannot lead to eternal marriage and is therefore not compatible with the principles included in the Honor Code.”
Laura Tevaga, director of communication and marketing at BYUH, said, “I want to emphasize the principles of the Honor Code have not changed, and they align with the doctrine and policies of the Church.
I want to emphasize the principles of the Honor Code have not changed, and they align with the doctrine and policies of the Church.
“Elder Johnson’s letter ... provides helpful clarification of these principles. For those students who have questions, we would encourage them to visit the Office of Honor or Dean of Students.”
Angela Morales, a junior from the Philippines majoring in psychology and political science, said even though she is not part of the LGBTQ+ community, she found the changes difficult and confusing.
“It’s hard. I feel like I’m also affected because these are my friends. These are people. They’re just like us.”
Iese Wilson, a junior from Hilo majoring in music, shared when he read the clarification letter, he was hurt, even though he did not believe that was the intention of Elder Johnson.
“That pain occurred because I cannot help but long for the level of affection I see on campus. For two weeks, I thought I could join the ranks of all the other couples holding hands, cuddling, and possibly kissing, provided I found someone.”
Chand said while he personally is not bothered by the changes, he knows and acknowledges those who are struggling with them.
“To me, I’m just living the gospel on my own, and that’s what I do. But there are a lot of students ... who are still trying to find their place and their standing or their inner peace with all of it ... For my people, some of them are struggling with it, and that makes it my business to help them. I’m okay with [the changes]. I know there are a lot of people who are not okay with it.
“For anybody who is Christlike, or a disciple, or wants to be a disciple of Jesus, it’s not okay for you to keep going and ... not acknowledge the pain and suffering around you.”
Chand added he believes the time between the changes and clarification caused many of the concerns among students, and it would have been better if the letter accompanied the changes.
“Because there was such a gap between when the Honor Code change came out and when the letter was released, it left room for private interpretation of what [the changes] meant. And so that’s what created all the chaos among the students because everyone wants to be accepted ... More than holding hands or kissing or any kind of PDA, I think it was just the feeling of being accepted they held onto.”
Morales said while she and other students strive to obey the Honor Code, lack of clarification can make it difficult to follow the standards. “We uphold the Honor Code as much as we can. But these confusions make it hard for us to follow [the Honor Code].”
Starting a conversation
Blimes said while this situation has been hard for many students, it has helped start the conversation between LGBTQ+ students and CES schools.
“As difficult as this update and clarification has been, one of the good things that has come from it is the clarification it is okay to identify as gay, and the university is trying to create a safer space for students on campus.”
She shared because of the initial announcement, LGBTQ+ students were able to have a meeting with some of the administration at BYUH and discuss what the changes meant and how to help BYUH become a safe space for all students.
“The meeting ended up happening the day after the clarification letter came out,” said Blimes. “It was a difficult time, but it was still an opportunity for the students to share their feelings and to help the university know what needs to be done to create a safer space on campus.”
Chand, who attended the meeting, shared he found the meeting very informative. “They were really helpful in helping us understand they will do whatever they can to make sure the LGBTQ+ students feel safe, and they are able to go through school no matter what they identify as and be able to participate in everything.”
They were really helpful in helping us understand they will do whatever they can to make sure the LGBTQ+ students feel safe, and they are able to go through school no matter what they identify as and be able to participate in everything.
He added they had the meeting out of concern for the safety of LGBTQ+ students and to bring awareness of these issues to the BYUH administration.
“When the [letter] came out, you would have seen if you went to [Facebook] pages like ‘I Love BYUH & PCC,’ there were a lot of people posting, and they were saying derogatory things to gay people. [LGBTQ+] people are worried for their safety, and they are feeling hurt.”
Love and acceptance
Chand said one thing he wanted to emphasize is the need for being kind toward LGBTQ+ students and helping them feel more accepted around campus.
“[People] need to realize this is a sensitive matter, to the point where people have committed suicide. Emotions are running high. People are upset. People are depressed. People are sad. If you don’t have anything good to say about it, just don’t say anything at all.”
According to the CDC, a study done in 2015 showed 29 percent of high school-aged teenagers in the United States who identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual had attempted suicide, while only 6 percent of straight students had attempted suicide.
To encourage others to be more loving and accepting, Wilson shared a quote from Elder Holland from the Oct. 2007 Ensign issue.
The quote said, “Some members exclude from their circle of fellowship those who are different. When our actions or words discourage someone from taking full advantage of Church membership, we fail them – and the Lord. The Church is made stronger as we include every member and strengthen one another in service and love.”
Morales wanted to let these students know she and other students and faculty at BYUH are there to support those who need it. “They don’t have to suffer alone. They don’t have to feel alone. People are fighting for them. I am their friend. I will listen to them. If they need a resource, there’s always the counseling center. There are people and faculty who understand them, and I want to say Heavenly Father still loves them, whoever they choose to become.”
Wilson said as part of the LGBTQ+ community, he wants to be accepted and to have the companionship others have.
“So often, people view gayness as just being sex-driven, but at the top of my list is companionship. I, like many of you, simply want joy, salvation, to be loved, and to be in love. The journey is complex, and it looks like I’ll have to wait just a bit longer.”
Wilson shared his personal mission “is to ‘mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.’ I am constantly seeking to connect and empathize privately with anybody who is on this journey and to have an open dialogue with anyone with the sincere intent to achieve understanding.”
Value of the Honor Code
While she believes some adjustments could be made to the Honor Code, Morales said it is something she loves about BYUH and one of the reasons she came here.
“I think BYU really creates this protection for individuals of the Church and the students of the university to follow God’s commandments,” she said. “The BYUH Honor Code is also a great resource for following God’s standards. It’s something that is very healthy for students because it makes you more in tune with the Spirit than being on another campus without the Honor Code.”
Chand shared through living the gospel, he has found living by the Honor Code has not been a challenge and believes it is part of what makes BYUH a safe university.
“To keep uniformity and to keep peace anywhere, there needs to be some sort of code and policy to follow. [The Honor Code] is BYU’s code and policy ... Personally, I think overall, it does provide us with protection,” he said, but it could be improved.