Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

WHO
WE ARE

ESPECIALLY
FOR YOU

EVENTS
& NEWS

RESOURCES
& LINKS

BECOME
INVOLVED


DONATE

Allies' Voices

Cary B. Todd

Greetings from the Bible Belt
You Have My Love and Support

September, 2000
By Cary B. Todd
Blanchard Branch, Norman, OK Stake

I have been going through a bit of a spiritual "enlightenment" on many subjects, and I am currently reading the book Peculiar People: Mormons and Same-Sex Orientation.

Although I am not even homosexual, I support Affirmation, and I support everything you stand for. There is absolutely no substantive explanation that can explain the bigoted position of the church. I love the church and my Savior, but I simply cannot reconcile my understanding of the gospel and the current teachings regarding same-sex relationships.

I intend to become a member of Affirmation soon. Never stop fighting, and know that despite the traditions and "mainstream" feelings of most members of the church, there is a growing number of us who understand. Sometimes it makes me cringe to think what would occur in our little branch in rural Oklahoma if a same-sex couple were to appear in church one day and actually participate in a Sunday school lesson. We will all overcome our prejudices some day, but I just hope it is sooner rather than later for the sake of the sanity and lives of my gay/lesbian brothers and sisters.

I have met and conversed with a lot of great people through the Affirmation website, and I would love to contribute some writings/essays at some point in the future!

I now live in Mesa, AZ. Living in the conservative, dogmatic bastion of Mesa has been interesting. It's a whole different world here, and it should be interesting to interact with everyone.