A coalition of LGBT advocacy groups is "urging the Big 12 not to admit BYU as a new member," according to Stewart Mandel of FOXSPORTS.com. Athlete Ally and the National Center for Lesbian Rights yesterday "sent a letter to Big 12 administrators detailing what they believe are discriminatory policies by BYU, a religious institution owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." The letter is "co-signed by 23 other national and regional advocacy groups." In addition to Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, the Big 12's 10 university presidents, ADs and "other administrators were expected to be copied." Athlete Ally Dir of Policy & Campaigns Ashland Johnson said, "BYU’s policies go against everything the Big 12 stands for. Their member schools are very progressive. If they allow BYU into their conference, all of the LGBT student-athletes, coaches and fans who travel to BYU will not have any (discrimination) protections" (FOXSPORTS.com, 8/8). ESPN.com's Jake Trotter noted Athlete Ally also "accused BYU of not being compliant with Title IX" (ESPN.com, 8/8). In Utah, Brandon Judd notes the letter comes "just weeks after league officials said the Big 12 would explore expansion candidates." Since then, speculation and reports "have tried to determine what direction the conference will go in regards to expansion." Issues brought up in the letter "had not previously been addressed in news about possible expansion" (DESERET NEWS, 8/9). In Salt Lake City, Jay Drew notes to be invited to join the Big 12, BYU "needs 'yes' votes from eight of the 10 conference presidents." Many believe that the LDS Church's backing of the controversial Proposition Eight measure in California in '08 -- which sought to keep same-sex couples from marrying -- "was one of the reasons the Pac-12 bypassed BYU" when it expanded in '10 (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 8/9).
LOOKING AT THE ISSUES: In Utah, Brad Rock writes it is "not hard to see" why the Pac-12 passed on BYU in '10. Rock: "Surely it wanted nothing to do with this drama. For reasons other than football, politics could now derail the Cougars’ bid for big conference inclusion." And though many BYU fans "have privately predicted such issues would arise," yesterday's news "was still jolting." The "discouraging news for BYU is that the Big 12 is likely the Cougars’ last chance at power conference inclusion" (DESERET NEWS, 8/9).
