GLBT Mormon Support

Note from Mary: While I personally do not believe what Mormons believe, I do respect and wish to support our GLBT Mormon family, and hence the reason for this page. Please know that there are no links here that would devalue your beliefs.

Seattle Mormon Leaders To Gays: You Are Valued - Worship With Us
Oct 17, 2014

In an extraordinary move, the Washington Park LDS Ward in Seattle is opening its arms to Mormon gays and lesbians in the area.

These LDS congregational leaders recently sent a letter to "less-active members within the ward boundaries" inviting them to a church sacrament meeting Sunday, Oct. 19.

"Our hope is that by attending church, you will see how many brothers and sisters you have in the gospel of Jesus Christ living near you," the letter read. "If you know of some whom we may be unaware of, please, invite them, too. There is a large community of members, gay and straight, who have yet to meet each other."

Read the full article at The Salt Lake Tribune website.

Community of Christ To Allow Same-Sex Marriages
Apr 23, 2013

Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), is an American-based international church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of love, joy, peace, and hope". The church reports approximately 250,000 members in 50 nations.

Community of Christ is part of the Latter Day Saint movement begun by Joseph Smith, Jr., and rooted in Restorationist traditions. Although in some respects the Community of Christ is congruent with mainline Protestant Christian attitudes, it is in many ways theologically distinct, continuing such features as prophetic revelation.

See the video and more information about Same-Sex Marriages and Commitment Ceremonies at the 41 Action News kshb.com website.

Mormon Church Abandons Its Crusade Against Gay Marriage
Apr 12, 2013

Excerpts:

In the five years since the LDS church sent busloads of the faithful to California to canvass neighborhoods, and contributed more than $20 million via its members to support the initiative, it has all but dropped the rope in the public policy tug of war over marriage equality. The change stems from an even more remarkable if somewhat invisible transformation happening within the church, prompted by the ugly fight over Prop. 8 and the ensuing backlash from the flock.

.........

Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules in the Prop. 8 case, the church responsible for its passage has been permanently changed for the better. In Mayne's view, this all means that Prop. 8, with all its ugliness, happened for a reason: "I believe in our attempt to nail shut the Pandora's box of gay marriage, we essentially blew the lid off of it."

Read the full article on the Mother Jones website.

No More Strangers - LGBT Momon Forum

Gays and Mormons
March 8, 2013



1. North Star - Major Statements on Homosexuality

2. FAIRMormon - Mormonism and Same-Sex Attraction

3. FAIRMormon - Homosexual aversion therapy performed at BYU in the 1970's

4. Fair Blog - Electroshock therapy at BYU: Defending Mormonism

5. LDS Voice(s) of Hope... This link was not mentioned in the video, but is an absolutely amazing resource!!!

New Mormon Church Website Has Softer Tone On Gays

Note from Mary: I include this website because it is an improvement to previous attitudes, but I preface it with a letter from the mother of a gay son to her bishop of what she feels is positive, but which also is lacking.

Bishop,

I appreciate your asking me what my thoughts are on the new website. I have explored most of it. I have mixed feelings. I think is important for you as a bishop to see how this website is perceived by those who have gay loved ones. I know I am not alone in my feelings.

First....what a huge step for the church who has been in the "dark ages" for a long, long time. So many lives have been lost and destroyed because leaders have not spoken up in the past in a smart, scientifically and psychologically intelligent way. Finally we have a little bit more from the church. At least this will let members know that this website replaces the the "Miracle of Forgiveness" where homosexuals are called "perverts" which is still sold at Deseret Book and available in braille at lds.org (I am being completely honest including some of my valid frustrations that have built up over the years!)

I am grateful that they have acknowledged that this is not an easy topic. I'm glad they are telling the truth, that homosexual feelings are real, good people experience it, and it does not go away.

I was glad to see "Judy's" video where her gay grandson lives with her. He is not in the church and this is where 80% of our gay lds brothers and sisters reside - out of the church! I was glad to see Judy showing love and kindness and saying that she would never trade her gay family for anyone else.

I was grateful for the words of Elder Cook. You could feel his emotion and love. He said love was more important than anything else and I appreciate that. My gay friend I told you about experienced some positive feelings from his mom after she viewed the website. It softened her heart. She just needed permission to love her son as he is. And she got that from the website. I think that is good but also very sad, that she needed that permission. The tendency to reject her son is what the dialogue in our church over the years has caused. Sad. But we must move on!

I think this website will soften the heart of those who are bigoted and judgmental. I think it will show those politically conscious members that love comes before politics. I think this will definitely like I said give everyone permission to extend more love towards gay individuals.

My concerns are that I did not see addressed the 800% increase in the likelihood of suicide when youth feel rejection by family members. (Real Statistic) That is huge and should have been addressed. Too many kids commit or attempt suicide. Almost everyone I know who is gay and lds has either tried it or has been dangerously close to trying to take their life. The pamphlet I gave you (Family Acceptance Project) would have been a great addition to this website. Eleven years of research went into that pamphlet and it is invaluable in teaching parents HOW to show accepting instead of rejecting behaviors.

I am also concerned about the talk about hope. Let me tell you, I have the strongest testimony of the atonement and of hope in Jesus Christ. It is everything to me. But I also know from personal experience with those close to me, that there is no hope for a young man when he is told he can have no love in his life. Honestly, how would we respond if we were told we would have to give up our spouses, our families, and everything that includes, in order to have the holy ghost and be good in the sight of God? I wonder how many of the brethren would willing to set an example to show us how to do it? Could you do it? Honestly? Good for the several on the website that have adjusted to this. But I have to say, they are the exception and not the rule.

I feel like the despair of this stand the church has taken was not at all addressed. Kids feel total despair when they are told they cannot have love in their life. My sweet friend, the gay return missionary, just told me last night his greatest desire is that he just wants to be loved by someone. Any 22 year old wants to feel love emotionally and physically. We were programmed that way and I think it is very unfortunate that in the church we deny that to our gay brothers and sisters.

There you have it! My take on the website. I hope you are not offended by my honesty. I am a proud mother of gay son and I have walked through my own personal battle field that includes battling rhetoric from the church, so I have slightly different take on this issue than your average Mormon mom.


The new website is Mormons and Gays - Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction

Can You Be Both Mormon And Gay?
Why a religion notorious in the gay community might be "evolving."
June 13, 2012

Excerpt:
"Without advocating for a change in official church doctrine, Petrey argued that Mormons should "think less about the types of sex that people are having, and more about the types of relationships that people are building." That shift in focus would allow the LDS Church to understand consensual, homosexual sex taking place in monogamous relationships the same way it understands the sex being had by straight married couples."

Encircled In The Arms Of His Love

This short message, by Utah County Affirmation, is an affirming message for gay and lesbian members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon). The LDS Church officially published a similar message, "God Loveth His Children". While it is a wonderful step in the right direction, it affirms that one must remain celebate while being gay. Our book affirms that you can lead an active gospel centered gay life

Read the booklet Here.

Mitch Mayne, Gay Latter Day Saint, Shares About His Youth & Suicide Attempts

It Gets Better at Brigham Young University

Andrea Bocelli & The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
"The Lord's Prayer"



Introduction by David Foster

Invictus Pilgrim

A Gay Man's Journey out of the Closet, Marriage and Mormonism
toward Self-Love and Self-Discovery
Blog of Nov 11, 2011

Excerpt:

Carol Lynn Pearson's response was direct and to the point. Paraphrasing, she said that the Church needs to give permission, e.g., through a conference address by a ranking general authority, to parents to love, welcome and accept their gay, lesbian and transgendered children. What a remarkable statement (!) that goes to the heart of much that is wrong in the LDS Church on this issue. So many parents who are "faithful" members of the Church believe that, if their child comes out to them, they have to choose between the child and the Church, and they perhaps more often than not choose the Church.

Stopping Spiritual Bullying: What the Church Can Do Immediately

Be sure also to watch the video on this page of R.J. Helton singing "Blessing".

Mormon Bishop Kevin Kloosterman's Talk on Homosexuals in the LDS Church

Coming Out Mormon

Dance Champion Benji Schwimmer

By John Dehlin
Originally posted on Mormon Stories Podcast
May 30, 2012

Benji Schwimmer is a world renowned dancer and choreographer. He is best known for winning Season 2 of the hit tv show So You Think You Can Dance. In this 3-part interview, Benji discusses the following:

Part 1: His early years, and his LDS mission experience (1 hr, 33 minutes)
Part 2: His experiences on So You Think You Can Dance (1 hr, 52 minutes)
Part 3: His attempts to come to terms with his sexuality and his faith (2 hrs, 6 min)

Introduction of Bridget Night

Bridget is the straight mother of a gay son whose church history includes Mormonism. She has graciously found and shared the information on this page in an attempt to support those with Mormon backgrounds, and for those who would like to know more about the Church of Latter-Day Saints.

Bridget's Testimony - her hopes and beliefs, and why she has them.

Basics of Mormonism - from a Presentation at New Church Family in
Daytona Beach, FL. This is a very thorough presentation on Mormon beliefs.

Bridget's Mormon Background, Her Book, and Her Gay Son - also from the Presentation at New Church Family.

Gay Mormons?: Latter-Day Saint Experiences of Same-Gender Attraction
- by Brent Kerby

Review: By A. Boehm, April 22, 2011
5 out of 5 stars - Thought-provoking and Encouraging

Brent Kerby's new book about Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and Homosexuality is a collection of personal stories. The accounts are disarming in their honesty. They tell of attempts to reconcile faith and sexual orientation, - attempts that are at times successful, at times not. The introduction and list of resources brings the reader up to date on what official statements the Church has made regarding same-gender orientation, while the individual experiences add many personal layers to the discussion.

Many Mormons who experience same-sex attraction (SSA) struggle with intense feelings of guilt, at times self-loathing, often a loss of self-esteem. They feel utterly alone in their situation because talking about homosexuality to your family and friends can seem almost impossible. Many are afraid of what might happen when others find out - they do not want to hurt or disappoint loved ones, they do not want to be ostracized at work or at church.

The variety of the stories and contributor backgrounds, the variety of outcomes, is thought-provoking and makes it very clear that the cookie-cutter homosexual does not exist. One vital point that surfaces again and again is the strong desire for a meaningful, trusting and loving relationship, and how this conflicts with the commonly held misconception that homosexuality is somehow mainly about lust, not love.

Two decades after Schow, Schow & Raynes' Peculiar People: Mormons and Same-Sex Orientation this book is a welcome update on the LDS experience of and attitudes toward same-sex attraction.

Kerby's book is neither "church bashing" nor endorsed by the church. Its objective is to give a snapshot of the situation and experiences today, and giving hope to those who may feel alone with their conflict between what they have been taught and what they feel. Great reading material for anyone interested in understanding the struggles and hopes of Latter-day Saints who experience same-sex attraction.

Purchase a paperback copy through Amazon.

God Loveth His Children - LDS Church Beliefs About Gays - Official Statement.

Explanation of the Hierarchy Within the LDS Church

What Do Mormons Believe? - Easy Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Book of Mormon? - Easy Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Book of Mormon? - Hard Quiz

11 Scriptural Reasons Latter-day Saints Should Support Marriage Equality

This is an excellent website with valuable content.

8: The Mormon Proposition

8: The Mormon Proposition exposes the Mormon Church's historic involvement in the promotion and passage of California's Proposition 8 and the religion's secretive, decades-long campaign against gay rights. The film takes place in California and Utah as Mormons, following their prophet's call to action, wage spiritual warfare with money and misinformation against gay citizens, doing everything they can to deny them of marriage and the rights that come with it.

8: The Mormon Proposition opens in theaters on June 18th, 2010, two years after the first gay marriages took place in California (June 17th, 2008).

Movie: Latter Days

Fiction: A promiscuous gay party animal falls for a young Mormon missionary, leading to crisis, cliché, and catastrophe.

This is also a book available from Amazon.

"The Abominable and Detestable Crime Against Nature":
A Revised History of Homosexuality & Mormonism 1840 - 1980
- by Connell O'Donovan, originally published in 1994 by Signature Books

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