LGBTQ advocacy group urges Big 12 to pass on adding BYU

The Associated Press

An LGBTQ advocacy group has sent a letter to the commissioner of the Big 12 urging the conference to remove BYU from consideration for membership because it says the school has discriminatory policies.

Athlete Ally, a nonprofit group that works with sports leagues and organizations on educational and awareness programs, wrote in a letter dated Aug. 8 that "… through its policies, BYU is very clear about its intent to discriminate against openly LGBT students …"

BYU is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The school's honor code states that same-gender attraction is not an issue. But it does state "Homosexual behavior is inappropriate and violates the Honor Code." The school honor code requires all students to commit to chastity outside of marriage.