The Sexual Identity Forum (SIF), an LGBT group, was denied the right to organize under Baylor University's name. Understandable, considering what their official statement on human sexuality says. But riddle me this: if Baylor is so against the "advocacy groups" that will promote understanding (a key principle in the teachings of Jesus, mind you) why is the following statement also in Baylor's statement on human sexuality?
"Baylor University welcomes all students into a safe and supportive environment in which to discuss and learn about a variety of issues, including those of human sexuality."
Am I the only one getting whiplash from Baylor's policy? Does this not seem weird to anyone else? The story of SIF's fight for acceptance caught the eye of John Wright, a writer for Dallas Voice, the "premier media voice for LGBT Texas." When the group was denied its charter from Baylor, Wright was there again with up-to-date news.
Before the Dallas Voice picked the story up, Baylor's newspaper, The Baylor Lariat did a story on SIF's attempt to gain official recognition from Baylor. Samantha Jones, SIF's president, stated that the campus itself was welcoming, but the administration was unwilling to admit that Baylor has it's fair share of gay people on campus.
Baylor student Gabby Garrett, on the other hand, had an opposing view. She said "I think if you want to have discussions you can make that group on your own. I don’t see why it has to have the Baylor-affiliated name to be recognized by Baylor, because Baylor does not recognize homosexuality as an OK lifestyle." Jones countered back, saying "I think, as a Christian school, we should be showing love, compassion and tolerance to everyone, including LGBT students or even just students who want to talk about sexuality."
In an article on change.org, Michael Jones gives evidence that it is in fact okay to be a religious university and still support an LGBT group. Belmont University and Seattle Pacific University have both allowed LGBT groups to form under their school name, so why won't Baylor?
Being a native Texan, I believe it's because Texas is simply too ass-backwards to accept gay students as individuals with voices. I don't mean the whole of Texas, just most of it. I come from a city just outside Houston, arguably one of the most liberal cities in Texas. The high school I went to wasn't very welcoming of gay people. My sister, who is transgendered, was pushed into lockers and spit on, called a faggot and had ice cold water poured over her head. I get that people have a right to their own opinions, but that's my sister, and fucking NO ONE gets to treat her that way. She's a human being too, not an animal to be kicked around.
Baylor's refusal to give SIF the right to form under their name is just another example in a long list of blatant homophobia and gay rights oppression. Texas, the big, glittery belt buckled in the Bible Belt, has to set an example for all the other God-fearing states that surround it. Why, if they let everyone speak their minds, especially the gay community, there might be an uprising of unholy thoughts and unholy deeds. People might get infected with the gay, and we certainly can't have that, can we? I mean, adultery, murder, theft, and other violations of The Holy Bible are offenses we can deal with. So are things like shaving and eating shellfish. But homosexuality? The freedom to be who you were born to be? Not acceptable.
Wake up Baylor. The tide is changing, and you can jump on the bandwagon and embrace this change or you can stay the same and promote your message of hate. The choice is up to you, but I suggest you do the former. Embrace equal rights for everyone, not just who you think deserves them. Welcome to the new world.
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