'Homosexual acts' are no longer banned at Baylor University

(Image credit: Facebook.com/Baylor-University)

Baylor University, the world's largest Baptist school and Texas' oldest university, has dropped a ban on "homosexual acts" from its sexual conduct policy. A spokesperson told the Houston Chronicle that the change would more clearly reflect "Baylor's caring community."

According to the old policy:

Baylor will be guided by the understanding that human sexuality is a gift from the creator God and that the purposes of this gift included (1) the procreation of human life and (2) the uniting and strengthening of the marital bond in self-giving love. These purposes are to be achieved through heterosexual relationships within marriage. Misuses of God's gift will be understood to include, but not be limited to, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault, incest, adultery, fornication, and homosexual acts. [Waco Tribune]

The new policy simply reads:

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Baylor will be guided by the biblical understanding that human sexuality is a gift from God and that physical sexual intimacy is to be expressed in the context of marital fidelity. Thus, it is expected that Baylor students, faculty, and staff will engage in behaviors consistent with this understanding of human sexuality. [Waco Tribune]

Baylor still imposes bans on alcohol on campus and at university events; its ban on dancing was lifted only in the mid-1990s.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.