March 29, 2001--
BYU has disciplined two students for allegedly violating the University's honor code by engaging in homosexual behavior.
The two students acknowledge having same sex attraction, but dispute what constitutes prohibited "behavior."
One student was suspended and the other voluntarily withdrew from the school to avoid suspension.
Central Utah Correspondent Sam Penrod has the story.
The BYU honor code is a combination of standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other rules the school requires all students to abide by.
Thursday one of the students disciplined told his side of what happened.
Matthew Greirson came to BYU three years ago on a four-year academic scholarship.
Several months later he was called on a mission for The Church, but was given a medical release in the Missionary Training Center when he disclosed his same sex attraction.
He returned to BYU the next semester.
Matthew Grierson/Former BYU Student: "I CONFIDED IN SOME FRIENDS ABOUT MY STRUGGLES AND I'M NOT SURE WHICH ONE, BUT ONE OF THEM WENT TO THE HONOR CODE OFFICE AND THEY SAID THEY'D SEEN ME KISSING A BOY."
Even though Grierson denied the accusation, the honor code office placed him on probation last July.
It outlined several conditions including counseling, not discussing his same sex attraction and avoiding any type of homosexual behavior.
Grierson admits that while on probation he did hold another man's hand, but that's all.
Matthew Grierson/Former BYU Student: "THEIR INTERPRETATION IS 'YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO HANG OUT WITH OTHER GAY MEN, ASSOCIATE WITH THEM, NOT ALLOWED TO GO CLUBBING, GO TO THE MOVIES...'"
Greirson is one of two male students at BYU disciplined this month for alleged homosexual conduct.
BYU officials say all students must pledge each year to follow the honor code, which includes living "a chaste and virtous life."
It specifically lists "homosexual conduct."
Michael Smart/BYU Spokesperson: "STUDENTS WITH SAME SEX ORIENTATION CAN REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE UNIVERSITY AS LONG AS THEY FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF CHURCH LEADERS AND DON'T ACT ON THEIR SAME SEX ATTRACTION."
BYU has suspended several high profile athletes in recent years for heterosexual relations outside of marriage, and the school says the honor code is applied equally to all students.
Greirson thinks not.
He says he still holds an LDS Church temple recommend and believes most people at BYU don't understand his same sex attraction.
Matthew Grierson/Former BYU Student: "THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE AT BYU AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DO SUPPORT ME AND DO SEE ME AS A GOOD PERSON. BUT I THINK, ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SCARED OF ME AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH ME."
Matthew Grierson says he plans to transfer to the University of Utah and after graduation will apply for medical school.
