“Sometimes it feels like Rexburg is working towards acceptance, but then stuff like this happens,” Briggs said. Students expressed their disappointment at the behavior of campus security. “Too many people believe that being gay and being a member aren’t things that go together. “I just love that there’s a community here where I don’t feel like I have to hide a part of myself,” said Canon Briggs, a sophomore studying public health. We will continue to support our LGBTQ students and wear skirts as we please in our future events.”Īfter the brief confrontation, students flooded out of the lounge and gathered at Porter Park where the conversation continued. Our events will no longer be held at not to make employees more comfortable but to keep our events safe, fun and welcoming for all. On the Instagram, McDonald made the statement: “We want to apologize to all of you who attended and witnessed and experienced the homophobic and disrespectful behavior from public safety. “I am very thankful for the people who organized the event and stood up to the officers for their homophobic remarks,” McVey said. Some students commented that this wouldn’t have happened at a non-LGBTQ event. Students expressed discontent that the officer seemed to be saying leggings on females are allowed, yet skirts on males are not allowed. “They tried to justify calling out the one person by saying that it ‘was against the dress code,’ yet there were many there, including myself, who weren’t wearing what they would deem ‘appropriate clothing.’” “I personally feel as though it was really horrible,” said Beck McVey, a freshman studying theater education.
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The officer made the announcement that in order to stay in the lounge, everyone would need to follow the campus dress code and told a masculine-presenting person wearing a skirt that they needed to change. The room grew hushed as campus security pulled up and walked slowly around the room, inspecting the event. She said she showed up to support them so people don’t feel like they have to hide who they are.Īs the event progressed, McDonald complied with requests from the Centre Square manager to enforce masks and to take signs off the window. Michelle Anderson, a sophomore majoring in marriage and family studies, attended the event as an ally.
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“I don’t think anybody should suppress a part of themselves for any reason,” said Bee Bailey, a sophomore studying biology.
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The goal of creating a safe space was well-supported by those in attendance. “I want them to know we see them and we want them here.”
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Fye said she has a soft spot for LGBTQ students because her son is gay. She made it clear that she was not here in an official capacity, but as a friend to the LGBTQ community. “Lots of people can feel alone here,” McDonald said.Īlso in attendance was Alisa Fye, Chief Compliance Officer on campus. She said she felt it was important to cultivate a culture of acceptance at BYU-Idaho. McDonald started the Instagram account in March and has thrown a karaoke party and an ice cream social in the past. Organized by Eliza McDonald, a sophomore studying biology, and attended by more than 40 people, the event’s goal was to provide a safe space for students to express themselves, make new friends and tie-dye clothing. Members of the Rexburg LGBTQ community got together on May 28 at Centre Square to prepare for the upcoming Pride event by creating various colorful accessories.
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Rainbow Otter Pops decorated the crafting table where students strung together colorful beads to make bracelets, and event-goers picked through a selection of stickers at another table. The room was covered in rainbows and quiet conversation as students busied themselves with tie-dyeing white t-shirts and masks.