The Out Foundation in the News

Eastern Idaho News: Nearly $40,000 raised for LGBTQ students wanting to transfer from Latter-day Saint schools

“Former Brigham Young University alumni are helping collect funds for LGBTQ students wishing to transfer from Latter-day Saint schools because they don’t feel safe. About two weeks ago, The OUT Foundation started a GoFundMe after the student Honor Code at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and other church schools were updated.”

VICE: Queer Students Are Fleeing This Huge Mormon College Because of its Dating Rules

“A handful of students are now in a position where they have been outed on campus, and they might not feel like it’s the safest place for them to be,” Valdez told VICE. “We launched the transfer fund to assist those students in finding a safer space to continue their education.”

Gephardt Daily: OUT Foundation raises $36K in scholarship funds for BYU students seeking transfer after Honor Code ‘clarification’

The OUT Foundation has raised more than $36,500 in transfer scholarship funds for students who want to leave Brigham Young University after an Honor Code update that removed a section on “homosexual behavior” was followed up by a Church official issuing a statement “clarifying” that same-sex romances are still banned.

KUER: When It No Longer Feels Safe To Be Gay On BYU Campus

Taylor decided to transfer to the University of Utah. It meant leaving behind a full-ride scholarship — but thanks to the U’s Victim-Survivor-Advocate group — he was able to get it back. He says he rebuilt his world. And now he’s working with the OUT Foundation to help other students do the same. They help queer BYU students with funds for transfer fees and other unforeseen costs.

Daily Herald: Transfer fund for LGBTQ BYU students surpasses $35,000 after honor code "bait-and-switch”

We have been blown away by the amount of response and reception that we have gotten,” said John Valdez, the executive director of the OUT Foundation, a group of LGBTQ BYU alumni.

NBC: 'Traumatic whiplash': BYU's U-turn on homosexuality a blow to gay students

The OUT Foundation, an organization for LGBTQ BYU alumni, is offering advice and financial support for students wanting to transfer. The group's fundraiser, which launched Wednesday, had raised over $34,000 by Monday afternoon.

KUTV: Temple Square rally: BYU students call for LGBTQ equality

A GoFundMe was started by The Out Foundation to allow people to donate to students who feel unsafe at BYU. As stated on the campaign,"This problem is compounded by the fact that many queer students face the very real possibility of being cut-off financially from their family if they come out or transfer out of BYU."

In just four days, more than $34,000 has been raised.

Advocate: After BYU Revives Antigay Honor Code, LGBTQ Students Urged to Transfer

In response to the chaos and heartache, The Out Foundation, a nonprofit made up of LGBTQ BYU alumni, has set up a fund to help students transfer to other universities. The fund has raised over $22,000 by early Friday afternoon; money that will cover costs for LGBTQ students who risk losing scholarships and familial support by transferring.

ABC4: Student protests continue at BYU in response to honor code clarification about homosexual behavior

Ramirez said her organization, the OUT Foundation is now concerned with the safety of LGBTQ students. They are now raising money to help students who wish to transfer out of BYU without fear of financial repercussion. As of Thursday evening, their fundraiser has raised $16,000 in less than 24 hours.

The Salt Lake Tribune: Some students at BYU might transfer to other schools over Honor Code changes

On Wednesday night, following the school’s announcement, the OUT Foundation, a BYU queer alumni group, started a fund to help those who want to leave the school. The group raised more than $7,000 in donations in the first 12 hours, and had exceeded its $10,000 goal by Thursday afternoon. It set a new goal of $20,000 and was about $2,200 away from meeting it by 9 p.m.

PinkNews: Queer Mormons say they’ve been put in danger by ‘cruel’ university as it U-turns on homosexuality policy 

The GoFundMe page states: “Understandably, many of these queer students no longer feel safe on campus.

“However, if they try to transfer out of BYU, they are at risk for losing scholarships, income from on-campus employment, and even their own housing.