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SALT LAKE CITY — Jorden Jackson had just finished up defending her master’s thesis at Brigham Young University when she saw an email from Elder Paul V. Johnson, who is the commissioner of Church Education for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Johnson sent students a letter Wednesday that clarified a recent adjustment of the Honor Code, which he said was misinterpreted. It stated "same-sex romantic behavior" is not compatible with the principles of the Honor Code.
Jackson was devastated. Just hours after defending her thesis and still in her dress clothes from her presentation, she headed to an open area near the Wilkinson Student Center and protested for hours. She left with blisters on her feet and as she pondered what her next plan was, she got a text from AnnElise Guerisoli.
Guerisoli, an Oakland, California, resident and BYU alumna, had learned of the letter through social media that day. She immediately asked friends still in Utah who was leading protests and was put in contact with Jackson. She then found a babysitter, got approval to take time off from work and flew back to Utah to protest.
“I realized that it was a moment where we needed to speak out and be loud,” Guerisoli told KSL.com.
The two, who met for the first time Thursday, organized a protest and march near the church’s headquarters Friday afternoon. The event brought together hundreds of protesters, who paraded on the sidewalks adjacent to Temple Square before they stopped to rally at City Creek Park — a space across from the headquarters building.
There were current and former BYU students in the crowd, as well as LGBTQ allies from across the Wasatch Front. “Studio C” alumnus Stacey Harkey and Miss Utah USA Rachel Slawson were among those who attended. Harkey came out as gay in 2018 and Slawson will be the first openly bisexual Miss USA contestant later this year.
Even though planning for the protest came together quickly, Jackson or Guerisoli weren’t surprised with a fairly strong turnout.
“Especially seeing how many people celebrated the change (two weeks ago). Everyone who celebrated the change is now mourning our loss,” Jackson said. “It’s great to see so many people, especially from different campuses come out to support.”
The group first gathered outside of the church headquarters before they looped around Temple Square and rallied at City Creek Park. As they marched down the sidewalks of South, West and North Temple streets, they chanted various things, such as: “Gay rights: Choose the right.” The group cheered loudly as passing motorists honked their horns in support. One motorist yelled out that she wished she could join the crowd.
At the park, various speakers shared their stories. Guerisoli, for example, shared how she came out gay to her husband last year.
“Latter-day Saints are at a crossroads in history. At the release of this clarification, we can either retreat back into the closet and close our mouths or we can choose to assert our own spiritual authority on the matter and make our voices even louder,” she said, as the crowd roared.
Bradley Talbot, a current BYU student, read off his immediate reaction to the clarification Wednesday. He said the initial change two weeks ago had made him feel included at the school and could help him “finally breathe” on the Provo campus. He said he felt betrayed by the recent clarification.
“I feel disappointed because it feels like I’m being asked to wear a bullet-proof vest and stand there while still being shot at. … I’m tired of having to choose between two families. I love BYU and I am not leaving. I love the church and I am not leaving. But I will not stand idle and just accept anything that happens to me,” he said.
The rally ended with a moment of silence for current BYU students who didn’t feel comfortable attending the protest.
Friday’s protest was also similar to one held in the same locations as protests about same-sex marriage held in 2009, Troy Williams, the executive director for Equality Utah, pointed out. Those protests, he said, helped lead to change in the state.
Since 2009, connections were made between LGBTQ individuals and members of the church, gay marriage was ruled legal, legal protections were passed for people LGBTQ community and the state banned conversion therapy on minors.
“I know it’s hard, I know it’s painful and I know that you are hurting right now, but step back and see change is happening and it is so powerful and it is so dynamic because you have come out of the closet,” he said. “There is a lot of fear and I do not think hate is what drives this. I believe it is fear and we overcome fear when we share our stories. And when we share our love, we melt the hearts. And when the hearts open, then minds change.”
KSL.com reached out to church officials for comment about the rally. In a prepared statement, church spokesperson Doug Andersen said: “The teachings of the church and the policies of our universities are consistent with eternal principles, and seek to encourage and strengthen relationships that lead to eternal covenants made with God. The Church and its leaders continue to teach that though there may be disagreement on an issue or policy, we should treat one (another) with love, respect and kindness.”
As for Jackson and Guerisoli, they say they are not done speaking out against the recent policy change. Jackson said a sign-up sheet is being passed around campus for people to sit-in in front of BYU’s Honor Code office. The protestors will exchange shifts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for the time being.
“This isn’t over. We’re not done,” Guerisoli added, as some of the protesters walked by from the park to protest again outside of the church headquarters building. “We’re not going away.”
