If an advocacy coalition has its way, however, the LDS school will be on the outside of expansion looking in.
Advertisement
In the letter, dated August 8, Athlete Ally, a non-profit organization that raises LGBT awareness in sports, sent a letter to Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby to express its concerns about the Big 12 candidacy of BYU, which is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Athlete Ally suggests adding BYU “would be inconsistent with Big 12 membership values”.
The advocacy groups’ letter stressed that BYU discriminates against the LGBT community and doesn’t provide any protections.
BYU’s honor code – which students are expected to adhere to – includes a section addressing “Homosexual Behavior”.
The letter, first obtained by Fox Sports, was sent to Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby on Monday by Athlete Ally, a non-profit that raises LGBT awareness in sports, and is co-signed by 24 other national pro-gay rights organizations.
The Honor Code stops short of saying that simply being of a same-gender-loving orientation is a violation, but that to physically act upon any sexual feelings that orientation may bring would be a violation.
“Homosexual behavior is inappropriate and violates the Honor Code”, it reads.
Mandel specified that any gay BYU athlete or coach would need to practice chastity to follow that portion of the honor code, lest they risk suspension or dismissal.
The Big 12 sates: “It is the obligation of each Member Institution to refrain from discrimination prohibited by federal and state law, and to demonstrate a commitment to fair and equitable treatment of all student-athletes and athletics department personnel”.
If the Big 12 is serious about expansion and offering BYU a potential bid, it will be met with resistance from LGBT community. “We are very clear and open about our honor code, which all students understand and commit to when they apply for admission”, a spokesperson stated to Mandel.
There is no clear timetable on any Big 12 expansion, but the conference last month announced that possible schools could be contacted for discussion on the matter.
Advertisement
In adding any program, the Big 12 would have to go through a thorough vetting process where the incoming school needs eight of 10 current member schools to vote in their favor.
