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PROVO — A group of Brigham Young University students is working to improve the state of gay members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The group, Understanding Same-Gender Attraction, is unaffiliated with BYU and formed in 2010 after the school changed their Honor Code, lifting a ban on advocacy of homosexuality. Just three years prior, the university changed the code allowing homosexual students to openly state their sexual orientation without fear of expulsion.
- 74 percent of LGBT students at BYU
have contemplated suicide
- 24 percent have attempted suicide
- Applying the national average to BYU, there are more than 1,800 LGBT students attending BYU
- BYU is consistently ranked one of the most unfriendly campuses for LGBT students in the United States, according to the Princeton Review.
- Increased personal righteousness is reported by LGBT Mormons as the most common yet least effective method of attempting to change sexual orientation.
USGA released a video on YouTube sharing gay students' experiences with their sexuality in their lives and on BYU's campus. "BYU It Gets Better," is part of the "It Gets Better Project," a collection of videos created by members and advocates of the LGBT community, supporting teens who are experiencing fear, or being ostracized or bullied because of their sexual orientation.
The video starts out with gay and bisexual student members of USGA coming out and then telling their stories of realizing their sexual orientation. Some knew as early as the fifth grade, others didn't know until they started dating and "died a little on the inside" whenever they had to kiss their boyfriend.
Particular to this video, the students talk about their experiences with their sexual orientation in the context of their LDS Church membership and attending the church-owned school. If the national average were applied to BYU, there would be more than 1,800 gay and bisexual students attending BYU, and 74 percent of those students have contemplated suicide, while 24 percent of them have attempted suicide.
Weekly Meetings: Thursdays, 7:00pm 306 JRCB Facebook: USGA If you are considering suicide or need help, call the Trevor Project now: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386).
USGA's goal is to "strengthen families and the BYU community by providing a place for open, respectful discussions on the topic of same-gender attraction," and, according to its President, Bridey Jensen, to improve the atmosphere of the campus for homosexual students.
In the video, Heather Waddington, a senior at BYU, identifies herself as a lesbian and talks about the atmosphere USGA is trying to improve.
"I don't go to school with a bunch of hateful people, which is what I thought before," Waddington said. "I thought I was surrounded by homophobic people who would hate me if they knew."
The LDS Church and BYU have repeatedly stated that members who struggle with same-gender attraction can still hold callings and attend the school without repercussion, so long as they are not acting on those feelings.
"Notwithstanding your present same-gender attractions, you can be happy during this life, lead a morally clean life, perform meaningful service in the Church, enjoy full fellowship with your fellow Saints, and ultimately receive all the blessings of eternal life," states the 'God Loveth His Children' official church pamphlet.
"Same-gender attractions include deep emotional, social, and physical feelings. ... Some people with same-gender attraction have felt rejected because members of the Church did not always show love. No member of the Church should ever be intolerant."
The video touches on the rejection and loneliness these students feel and have felt, and how they have accepted their sexual orientation and have turned to God, support groups like USGA and how they are now helping other students struggling with the same issue.
"You might not know how to reconcile your Mormonism and your sexuality, but I want to tell you that there's a space for you," said Adam White, a gay BYU student studying Music and Theater.