PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Tell Baylor University To Let Students Talk About Sexuality!
  1. Signatures
    1,773 out of 2,000
    Petitioning
    1. Vice President for Student Life (Kevin Jackson)
  2. Created By
    Samantha Jones
    Waco, TX
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

Baylor students are trying to start the Sexual Identity Forum, a neutral discussion group about sexuality issues such as hate crimes, homophobia, and LGBT suicide prevention. The Sexual Identity Forum is intended to be open to all Baylor students, regardless of religious or political leanings, gender/gender expression, or sexuality. The SIF has tried twice to get chartered by Baylor this semester-and has been denied both times. The University has raised several concerns including: potential violation of Baylor's Christian mission, potential violation of the sexual misconduct policy (which regulates students' sexual activity), and potential extreme activism. Now, this group has not even had the opportunity to officially prove to the University that these concerns are unfounded. The University, it seems, is simply making assumptions based on misperceptions about students who want to talk about sexuality. The students in SIF are being denied their freedom of speech since they're not allowed to talk about these issues. We are left asking, why doesn't Baylor want to talk about LGBT suicide prevention? Or hate crimes? Or homophobia? Also, LGBT students on campus are being told by the denial of this group, that the issues that concern them and sexuality aren't important. Join us in telling Baylor, the largest Baptist university worldwide, that all students, gay, straight, bi, and transgender, have the right to talk!

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Allow the Sexual Identity Forum and Free Speech at Baylor University!

Greetings,

I support the Sexual Identity Forum because I believe that it is important for Baylor students to be able to openly discuss issues about sexuality such as homophobia, LGBT suicide prevention, and hate crimes with their peers in an open forum. This organization will serve the Baylor population by increasing dialogue about issues that affect all students, and by allowing every student, regardless of their gender or sexuality, to approach such issues in a respectful environment. I know that Baylor is a Christian university and some may claim that the Sexaul Identity goes against Baylor’s mission. However, I think that Baylor as a Christian university should show the Christian values of tolerance, love, respect, and compassion not only to its LGBT students but to any student who wants to talk openly about sexuality issues. Also, it is within Baylor’s mission as a university to allow for challenging dialogue among its students. The University has hosted events in the past that allow students to discuss controversial issues with each other. With this letter, I am simply asking that such dialogue can continue in a consistent manner among students by allowing the Sexual Identity Forum to officially exist on campus. Not allowing this group on campus denies students their right ro free speech. Not allowing this group is discrimatory against all students, especially LGBT students. I am standing up for the Sexual Identity Forum. Thank you.

[Your name]

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