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November 10, 2020

Via Electronic Mail

Baylor University
Office of the President
Dr. Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
One Bear Place #97096
Waco, Texas 76798-7096

Dear Dr. Livingstone:

I am writing to you today as a former undergraduate student and a prospective graduate student
to express my views on a matter of importance to me. As you are no doubt aware, Baylor
University is a “Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution.”1 By the same
token, the University has indicated its commitment to “embody Christ’s teachings of love and
inclusivity across all boundaries…”2 In so doing, you had issued a statement on or about June 26,
2019 in response to a request from LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) students
seeking permission to form a university-approved student organization on campus.

The currently unofficial LGBT organization, Gamma Alpha Upsilon, has sought this permission
each and every year for nearly a decade; and each and every year for nearly a decade the
University wantonly and willfully turned them away in a manner that is in direct conflict with the
above-entitled University statements on inclusion.

In your most recent response to the organization, you had reflected in part, that “there is more
that we [Baylor] can do to support our LGBTQ students” and that “we must do more to
demonstrate love and support for those students.”3 While students are no longer subject to
disciplinary action for engaging in same-sex relations, and the LGBT organization is permitted to
use University facilities for meetings, there is much more the university can do to accommodate
all of its students.

Baylor University illustrated on its website that it has greater than 350 “recognized student
organizations.” Some of these include student organizations with a focus on black and asian
students, as well as various political organizations and faith-based clubs. The University
indicated that being involved in an organization affords students specific benefits that make those
involved “more likely to graduate.” Separate and apart from that stark benefit alone, being
involved in a student organization offers students, “leadership opportunities, academic
excellence, service, friendship, or spiritual growth…”4 These benefits that are clearly displayed
on the University’s website are being intentionally withheld from all LGBT students at Baylor
University by refusing to recognize their student organization.
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While “joining a student organization can be one of the most meaningful experiences for a
college student,” the University’s policies withhold these very experiences from anyone who is
not a heterosexual student.5

What’s more, aside from the individual benefits afforded to students involved in university
organizations, “recognized” clubs are permitted to apply to host events and speakers in
University facilities and to receive funding and representation through Student Government.
Similarly, these benefits are also denied to LGBT students and their respective unofficial student
organizations.

Currently, Baylor University stands alone in isolation among Christian universities in its pursuit
to withhold the rights of its LGBT students. Major national Christian universities, such as Texas
Christian University supports all of their students and has approved the formation of an LGBT
organization. Baylor University should follow suit.

Lastly, not only is the University refusing to recognize LGBT student organizations, they are
actively promoting and accepting anti-gay organizations. A prime example of this occurred when
Baylor University approved a request by Baylor Young Americans For Freedom to be recognized
as an official organization so as to use the University’s facilities to bring anti-gay activist Matt
Walsh to host a divisive rally on campus. During the rally, Mr. Walsh repeatedly attempted to
intimidate anyone who disagreed with him by asking students to make themselves known and to
leave; and later indicated that certain acts are “evil” including that of “gay couples and
transgenderism.”6

The above captioned deprivations cause irreparable harm to Baylor University’s LGBT students
in a manner inconsistent with its own statements and should be remedied. For the above
mentioned reasons, please grant Gamma Alpha Upsilon’s request to be “recognized” by the
University as equal to that of all other students and organizations.

Respectfully,

Jordan W. Turner
Frm. Nominee for the Wis. Legislature

1Baylor University: About. baylor.edu/about

2Baylor University: Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. baylor.edu/diversity
3Waco Tribune-Herald: Baylor President’s Statements on LGBTQ Issues Stops Short of Student

Demands wacotrib.com/news
4Baylor University: Student Activities; Get Involved. baylor.edu/studentactivities
5Id.
6Baylor Lariat: Matt Walsh Speaks Amid Controversy. baylorlariat.com/2019/04/09/matt-walsh-

speaks-amid-controversy