Tuesday, October 25, 2016

It's official: Mormons can be gay!

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865665577/Mormon-and-Gay-LDS-Church-launches-page-on-official-website-to-help-members-leaders.html


So have you seen this? 

Almost four years ago, the Mormons posted its website mormonsandgays.org and invited LGBT church members to "Stay with us.
" Stay in the church they meant. Stay while we figure this whole thing out.

How many have, I wonder? 


Well, I have. Of course, I was staying right here way before the invite. That was a decision I made an awful long time ago.

Today, LDS leaders have added to that thought. The site has been re-launched to "provided greater clarity and emphasis on the sensitive issues related to sexual orientation complete with changes to its name and location and significant new content."

The "new and improved" site can be found on the official church website, lds.org.

"The site is part of the official website of the church and what is on it is just as official as everything else that is on that website, and that's a change," said
Elder Von G. Keetch, a general authority and executive director of the church's public affairs department.


From the Salt Lake Tribune: The site is "really good," says Ty Mansfield, a marriage and family therapist in Utah County. LDS officials "were trying to walk a sensitive balance between doctrinal fidelity [the teaching that heavenly sanctioned marriage is only between a man and a woman] and trying to convey a sense of empathy, compassion and outreach."

What he likes about this new mormonandgay.org is that the personal narratives are not just about a single individual, but include other voices with each video — parents, siblings, friends, bishops.

"These are broader stories that encompass a constellation of people, a network," Mansfield says. "It provides a nice sense of the community and relationships we each need."
This is being heralded as a huge step forward.  In reality, I don't know how big it is.  But, for me personally it is significant. There is no way I am going to condemn it for not being bigger -- more of a "lengthened stride" kind of thing.

"The 'Mormon and Gay' title makes clear that someone can be both Mormon and feel same-sex attraction or identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Mormon and gay," said
Elder L. Whitney Clayton, senior president of the Quorums of the Seventy.

Yes it does.  And that has been my push for years.  There is such thing as a gay Mormon. There will be no more of this "you have to choose" crap that we have been dealing with both in and out of church.

I am gay.  And I am every bit as Mormon as the next guy. 

"We're going to give an example of what people can do as a parent, as a sibling, as a loved one, as a church leader or ward member to support and love and encourage people who deal with same-sex attraction to keep the commandments and find the peace the gospel brings." - Elder Clayton

I appreciate the continued effort by my church to state that fact publicly. We, on this site, have been saying the same thing for years. Years.

Still, it kinda feels more than a little bit good to hear it from above.

4 comments:

  1. I have been asked to Marry by my Celibate Partner of 21 years. Both of us are worthy and sleep in separate rooms.

    Recently his health is failing he has dementia and is leaning towards Alzheimer's.

    We are only getting married for legal documents and other Estate, hospital and other right for his retirement.

    It will only be on paper. I asked our EQ Presidency and he believes it should not affect our worthiness. He said he will investigate.

    Any thoughts Opinions and even prayed are welcome

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have been asked to Marry by my Celibate Partner of 21 years. Both of us are worthy and sleep in separate rooms.

    Recently his health is failing he has dementia and is leaning towards Alzheimer's.

    We are only getting married for legal documents and other Estate, hospital and other right for his retirement.

    It will only be on paper. I asked our EQ Presidency and he believes it should not affect our worthiness. He said he will investigate.

    Any thoughts Opinions and even prayed are welcome

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is really an issue between you and your Bishop...and your lawyer. The laws aren't set up for those in your position. Contact an attorney.

      Delete
  3. I'm so grateful for the updated site - it's much warmer and real-feeling.

    ReplyDelete