Former BYU professor Chad Emmett at Bicentennial Park in Provo on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.Chad Emmett has spent his professional career standing up for underdogs and victims, the marginalized, those in peril and those seeking peace — Palestinians, religious minorities and women, to name a few — but now it is time to stand up for himself.
Financially, it wasn’t “a smart move,” he acknowledged in an interview, but the accumulated weight of policies and pronouncements from BYU administrators that seemed to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals proved too burdensome to Emmett. Emmett grew up in the 1960s and ‘70s, when the church and much of society believed that being gay was a choice — and the young Latter-day Saint simply “chose” not to be gay.
When he did his graduate work in Chicago, he was called as a Scout leader, and all his troop members were Black youths. Some congregants told him, Emmett said, that it was the first ward where members with tattoos or smelling like tobacco “had ever felt welcome.”A building storm
Hopefully, church-and-state separation is better than when Matthew Holland was president—Scott Carrier was forced out bc the mormon church didn't like his views. Current UVU president Tuminez kissed Holland's ass upon taking office. LDS theocracy
Don't let your challenges become your identity. Overcome your challenges.
This guy was my professor and I even TA'ed for him. Besides being an amazing professor, his character is solid and I'm happy he's living his best life.
AKA not being bought.
SO proud of you. ❣️
Funny how he waited to be 'brave' to get his retirement....we live in a culture these days where being gay is now mainstream....by the way, I don't feel the desire to let everyone know 'I'm straight'....am I being brave now?
Reading Chad Emmett's story made me think of 'The Imitation Game' about Alan Turing. Such a tragedy for humanity losing him at 41. When we embrace diversity, we all win. Glad Chad Emmett found a way to feel safe while being his authentic self. Hopefully his story helps others.
Imagine living in that closet for decades, constantly hearing the cult's dogma that 'there's something wrong with you.' A nightmare! I admire his courage for finally realizing 'there's nothing wrong with me!' and just wish he could have done so years ago.
Stunning and brave. It is sooo hard to come out as gay these days. 🤣😂🤪