Gay Mormon Man / PriesthoodMen: The Bishop's Guide: Same-Sex Attraction

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The Bishop's Guide: Same-Sex Attraction

The Bishop's Guide: Same-Sex Attraction is out. Sort of. I can find a cashed version only, so I think it has been retracted for reasons unknown, which is too bad -- unless they are re-vamping it. Revamping it may be a positive thing.

As a gay man in the church, I and I mean, really, really in, I found an area or two that I would adjust -- if I were to be asked.

I consider logging on to this blog my being asked, so here goes.

Protecting every member of our camp

I can’t go through and tell you what I liked about it. I can encourage you to look it up and read for yourself. There was/is/was too much to like and I would have to cut and paste quote it too often.

I will quote this: “Recognize that same-sex attraction is a mortal experience,not an eternal identity”. This is something that I have always believed through and through.

The few things I might adjust, if I had the charge to do so?

First, the resource steers clear of calling a ham a ham. There is no use of the word gay for instance. We in the church insist on using our own language instead of the words homosexuals use for themselves/ourselves. I don‘t use the wording “same sex” anything when speaking to a fellow gay man because it is offensive. Making up your own label and refusing to acknowledge common usage for my sexual orientation seems arrogant, regardless of intent -- and I am a full on, card carrying, tithe paying, primary teaching member.

Second: I have never heard that I may be gay because I am lonely, an idea from the directive. I will have to research that. Frankly, (and slightly sarcastically) I thought I was gay because I sexually prefer my own gender.

The directive encourages homosexuals to avoid same-sex sexual fantasies. I would take issue with this except that, not only does it make sense in a spiritual setting, it is something asked of straight members alike. Letting virtue garnish our thoughts is something advised to everyone. ("We still have the power to resist and reform our feelings (as needed) and to assure that they do not lead us to entertain inappropriate thoughts").

We shall overcome. I generally appreciate the thought that, if I continue to try hard, to endure, I will have victory. That I will win my battle, that I can someday be healed. But frankly, it may be up to know one but me and the Lord what I am battling against. I am not battling what most -- even what I feel -- are god given (or at least allowed) sexual feelings. Today I am battling getting a better job.

While battling, however, I have to look at the role of the church, which is to bring us closer to the savior and to get us back to the presence of God. If this is their, the leaders of the LDS church’s job, (acknowledging that I believe they have the authority to speak for the savior), I may want to involve them in decisions I make -- like any straight man would do as well. Being gay does not absolve me from thoughts, feelings and actions.

Also included is reference to this notion: Homosexuality is a challenge or an obstacle, or worse, and that homosexuals could be healed if they wanted healing, or if they tried harder, or were more faithful. The lord allows us our experiences for a reason, and that reason may not be known to man.

"…(We) urge you to distance yourself from those who see nothing wrong with same-sex attraction. Avoid places frequented by those who are involved in this lifestyle…” Again, this would be offensive if it weren’t standard procedure for everyone in the church.

The assumption that homosexuality is wrong, mistaken, or an error is where the concern is for me, and not the advise in how to control it (like straight guys are asked to control their behaviors, BTW) Comparing sexual attraction to lying, theft, word of wisdom infractions, gambling, etc. is still problematic. At the very least, what happened to the recent behavior -vs.- feelings or inclinations? We were doing so well.

"I know some people who struggle with same-sex attraction experience the burden being lifted entirely; they’re able to overcome it. That’s not the case for me. I still struggle with emotions or thoughts from time to time, and it takes strength and energy to manage them. I also know people who may not have the blessing of having it somewhat alleviated, as I have. I don’t know why people face challenges—this one or any other—with such different outcomes, but I do know that our God is not a cruel god. And I know that obedience brings peace."

This is bound to raise hackles, but I gotta say, and because I gotta I’m gonna, It doesn’t with me. I mostly tend to agree with this quotations - as long as the person involved sees it as something to be cured or eliminated.

But these people who are claimed to be “cured” are a small minority. Very small. I, and I consider myself on the front of the gay Mormon world, do not know one person who would even claim to have been cured, though I do know several guys who are in a opposite sex marriage, and most will not speak of their relationship in public. There is nothing to be won for these men in the current environment by talking about their sex lives out loud, and it is usually painful for our wives regardless of how “spiritual” they are.

"'Marriage should not be viewed as a therapeutic step to solve problems such as homosexual inclinations or practices, which first should clearly be overcome with a firm and fixed determination never to slip into such practices again…” There are LDS cads who have married a woman knowing that they had no intention of being faithful. I don’t feel that this is the rule. Most men go into marriage with every intention of keeping convents. I did. All I can say is that I have a temple recommend and I am worthy to use it.

Lastly, as with many religions, the thought process expressed here is that if we just get through life we will be rewarded. I am not doubting or condemning this thought. But I am not going to wait until I die to be happy, and I do not believe that it should be required for anyone to postpone their happiness until the next life and “just get through somehow.”

"… the perfect plan of our Father in Heaven makes provision for individuals who seek to keep His commandments but who, through no fault of their own, do not have an eternal marriage in mortal life. As we follow Heavenly Father’s plan, our bodies, feelings, and desires will be perfected in the next life so that every one of God’s children may find joy…"

So this is my advise to gays reading this opinion and the directive to bishops. who want to stay in the church: don’t knock yourselves off to get to a better life. That is not the point of this directive from your leaders. Please don’t deprive us of your presence because you will be happier in the after life.

According to LDS doctrine, all of us will be happier in the after life. Live with us, and enjoy your life. The after will come after. Life.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fprovidentliving.org%2Fbishops-guide%2Fsame-sex-attraction

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I order to better understand one another, I think it would be wise to understand the terms used in these essays. What I propose is an Examination for Discovery, which is briefly a meeting of the opposing sides in a lawsuit where the plaintiff and defendant, with their attorneys, meet to examine each others claims and see whether they can find some area of agreement and thus save the time of the court later on. This is assuming that there is common ground, and I believe that even the most cynical of us would agree that there is.

It will be hard to understand one another if you think blue is periwinkle and I think blue is turquoise. I know that the differences may not be a big deal - between periwinkle and turquoise - but I think its best to be incredibly clear. We both may disagree on what blue is, but, for purposes of communication, we will use the terms as listed here - adding when needed.

Of coarse they may be subject to change and/or refinement with experience and further knowledge – and with feedback. Being that this is a blog and not a diatribe, I get to lead I suppose.

List of Common Terms On Which We May Agree
or Agree To Agree On For Sake of Discussion*

For sensitivity reasons we wanted to run this list past my Gramma Ruby, which would have been really helpful not to mention miraculous because she died at an Elizabeth Dole Rally in Boise)

Active: 1) A lifestyle characterized by frequent or various social, intellectual, and particularly physical activities; 2) In geology, a volcano which erupts regularly; 3) A member of the LDS Church who is often seen carrying brownies, scriptures or children back and forth to Church.

Affirmation: 1) A positive assertion. 2) An organization for LDS homosexuals and the people that love them, but not affiliated or supported by the LDS Church.

Sentence: Falling off of the stage was the affirmation she needed to confirm the universality of gravity.

Acronyms: SGA, SGB, SGI SGA: Same Gender (sexual) Attraction SGB: Same Gender (sexual) Behavior SGI: Same Gender (gay) Identity

OGA, OGB, OGI OGA: Opposite Gender (sexual) attraction OGB: Opposite Gender (sexual) behavior OGI: Opposite Gender (heterosexual) identity.

Sentence: The LDS SGA think OGA from ID, WO and MT dress like the NFL.

Beehive: 1) Home to bees, 2) A height-positive sixties hair style which many Mormon women continued to wear through the seventies and into late nineties and early 00’s with a slight revamp; 3) Young woman’s organization of girls who can’t drive yet.

Bisexual: 1) A sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical, mental or romantic attraction to both males and females.

Choice: 1) A decision between two or more option, and often referred to as free agency, personal rights and freedom.

Sentence: The choice for Juan Carlo was to either be eaten alive by the anaconda or jump from the boat into the mouth of the hungry crocodile.

Church: 1) An identifiable religious body under a common name; 2) a physical structure often equipped with a satellite dish, food warming area and an indoor basketball court.

Sentence: The ambulance and two squad cars were sent to the ball game at the Church between the elders and the priests due to last year’s “incident.”

Closet: 1) Upright storage space for clothing; 2) Slang reference to the status of an individual wishing to remain private about his/her sex life and who hasn’t acknowledged their SGA feelings yet to friends and family members.

Sentence: He had been in the closet so long he smelled like cedar and old shoes.

Coming Out: 1) The act of leaving a building or structure. 2) The process of telling people about one’s homosexuality is often referred to as coming out.

Sentence: “It’s just not coming out”, muttered Sister Macbeth as she compulsively applied spot remover.

Conversion therapy, or reparative therapy or reorientation therapy: 1) A type of sexual orientation change effort that attempts to change the sexual orientation of a person from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual. In the past techniques have included psychoanalytic group therapy involving aversive conditioning, electric shock or nausea-inducing drugs, and may have included sex therapy. Today there seems to be a more subtle and genteel approach which is being met with more success,

Down Low or DL : 1)This term means different things to different people, however generally it connotes dishonesty and hiding. 2) A term for men who discreetly have sex with other men while in marital relationships with women. Often these men do not consider themselves homosexual or bisexual, and their female partners are generally not aware of these infidelities.

Ex-Gay: Term for those who have experienced SGAttraction and who, for religious or other reasons, have chosen not to embrace a gay identity, or to engage in SGA behavior.

Family Group Sheets: 1) Forms used in annotating genealogy; 2) Money saving tactics for Mormon families at bedtime.

Sentence: Laverne and Lavelle grab your sister and a family group sheet and get you off to bed.

Families are Forever: 1) LDS catch phrase originating in the early eighties - referring to the belief that temple sealed families created on earth can move into the next life together. 2) The prevalent attitude after two weeks of dealing with the new in-laws.

Sentence: Did you hear our new sister-in-law-sing the Duran-Duran Medley? Are families really forever?

Folk Doctrine: 1) Doctrines that develop from prevailing rumor.

Sentence: Three stakes in Pocatello have been asked to spear-head a pilot program for the Churches new Work and Glory aerobics program.

Gay: 1) A happy and joyful method of celebrating holidays often sung about in English Carols and Fred Astaire films. 2) A common term for an individual attracted to their same gender. Gay has been a widely used synonym of "male homosexual." Its meaning is rapidly evolving to refer to both male and female homosexuals. Some people differentiate between homosexual and gay: homosexual is regarded as a sexual orientation; gay is a political identity -- i.e. an advocate for equal rights for persons of all sexual orientations

Sentence: Sister Fellows always regretted naming her eldest son after her favorite uncle, Gaylord.

Gender: 1) The set of characteristics that distinguish between female and male members of a species. It is often used interchangeably with the word "sex" denoting the condition of being male or female.

Sentence: “But, Julie,” Cal whined, “I simply don’t have an inoffensive sentence for the word gender.”

Genealogy: 1) An activity Mormons do happily while praying to hook up with a distant relative who has done all the work.

Sentence: Brother The-Hun was a bit disturbed when his grandma showed him his genealogy line went directly to some guy named Attila.

Heterosexual: 1) People whose emotional, sexual and romantic feelings are primarily for those of the opposite sex or having to do with opposite sex attraction.

Homophobia: 1) An irrational fear, prejudice or discrimination towards homosexuals. Homophobia can take many forms, from name-calling and teasing to serious crimes like assault and murder. Homophobia like other irrational fears is most often based on ignorance.

Homosexual: 1) People whose emotional, sexual and romantic feelings are primarily for those of the same sex or having to do with same sex attraction.

In: See out.

Last days: 1) A horrific time of floods, famines, political strife and food storage eating – much like yesterday.

Sentence: The last days of a back to school sale appear to be frequented by women on a weekend pass from the state hospital.

Lesbian: Term to describe sexual and romantic desire between females.

Lifestyle: The term lifestyle (as in gay lifestyle) has become a polarizing term though used by gay and lesbian people in the past. “Those in the lifestyle” usually means “those who identify as gay", though it may refer to behavior as well as identity - much as LDS lifestyle would mean those living the teachings or of the culture, or East Coast Lifestyle may refer to black turtle necks, bookstores and apartment living.

Many are called, but few are chosen: 1) What I keep telling myself when I am asked to be on the ward activities committee again.

Mixed Marriage: For our purposes here, a union between one of “heterosexual” orientation with one dealing with SGA.

Out: See in.

Prophet: 1) A man called of God who holds the keys to direct the Church and to speak for Jesus Christ. The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a chosen prophet, seer and revelator.

SSA: 1) Acronym for Same Sex Attraction. The LDS Church prefers SGA, (which I always thought stood for Star Gate Atlantis reruns) but actually means Same Gender Attraction. SSA and SGA are terms not highly favored among the gay community. Neither, for that matter, is the phrase “gay community”.

Sentence: ST-TNG and SGA are playing all week on SI-FI.

Sin: To behave in a manner that is contrary to the revealed commandments of God.

Transgendered: A designation of person whose identity does not conform to conventional notions of male or female gender roles.

Quotes, Quotation Marks: Tool used to set apart a word or phrase. For our purposes here, generally speaking, using quotation marks to denote words such as “gay” or “homosexual” is offensive. If you are not comfortable with using a term from the “so-called other side”, then it is recommended that a substitute which doesn't involve quote marks is found.

Sentence: I am offended that “he” just used quotations on the phrase other side.

Straight: 1) A direction which veers neither to the left or the right. 2) A slang term used in the place of heterosexual.

Sentence: The geography club, Straights of Magellan is not accepting new members.

Strait is the gate and narrow is the way: 1) Popular scripture quote used to encourage righteous living and weight loss.

Tithing: 1) One tenth of one’s income donated voluntarily to the LDS Church for upkeep and needed things.

Sentence: Ten percent of nothing is still nothing.

Urim and Thummim: 1) Tool used by Joseph Smith to translate the Book of Mormon. 2) What I wish I had to understand my kids text messages.

Wickedness Never Was Happiness: 1) What Cal’s first missionary companion in the MTC from Macon Georga wrote on his left bicep with a sharpie when visas to Central America didn’t come through on time. 2) Comment made by those on their way to Church when a boat or motor-home pulls up in the next lane of traffic.

This is a blog for Mormon SSA* men who wish to follow the teachings of the LDS church while owning their Homosexuality. It can be done! This blog-spot is written by a sort-of smart gay man who is a card-carrying member of the LDS church and hopes to remain so. He will remain so by following the teachings of the prophets. His motto for today is "Many a true word spoken in jest," and he will try to not be so charming.

Mr. Thompson thinks he knows just about everything. Lately, it has been proposed that he may, in actuality, not. He is trying to be open to that thought.