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We can study and bring to pass for ourselves a life full of progress, and we can help bring this message of hope to others who need it, including leaders, parents and children
God made us a promise. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” God hears and answers prayers and He is intimately aware of the trials and tribulations that we face. And he will never abandon those who seek Him out and ask in faith…believing that He will answer.
Social media response to an article published on Affirmation.org on January 20, 2016 has resulted, in recent weeks, in heightened mainstream media interest in the potential impact, in terms of mental health and well-being of LGBT Mormons, of the LDS Church’s new policy on gay families.
Rather than attempting to discredit anecdotal reports of recent suicides, the Deseret News, the Salt Lake Tribune and KUER each ran stories that acknowledged the seriousness and the complexity of the issue. The Deseret News led the story by publishing, on Thursday, January 28, 2016, two articles addressing the issue of suicide among LGBT Mormons. Other online and visual media outlets followed. Find the links to these articles and videos in the full article.
Today, things still aren’t perfect, but I feel empowered by my sexuality and grateful to be a queer Mormon. Kristen and I married in June of 2015, and we’re currently living in Los Angeles where we are both pursuing PhDs in English. We’re planning on starting a family in the next few years, but for now, we are just so thrilled to be together.
I put on a happy face during my teenage years. Not even my family knew how much I was hurting. So please understand that your/our children are listening. Negative comments about LGBTQ people or negative comments about gay marriage will hurt. The wounds can run deep and are long lasting.
La primera conferencia de “Afirmación: Mormones LGBT, Familias y Amigos” en Argentina se llevó a cabo del 8 al 10 de mayo de 2015 en Buenos Aires; ese momento marcó un cambio increíble para muchos de nosotros aquí, el silencio dejó de ser y se trasformó en un momento espiritual increíblemente fuerte.
“ Without a listener, the healing process is aborted. Human beings, like plants that bend towards the sunlight, bend towards others in an innate healing tropism. There are times when being truly listened to is more critical than being fed. Listening well to another’s pain is a primary form of nurturance, capable of healing even the most devastating of human afflictions; including wounds and scars of violence, even the horrors of war and large scale social trauma. Children speak their pain automatically when there is a listener, but learn to hide it when there is no ear to hear.”
Anyone questioning the LGBT community, or anyone “struggling” with a loved one who is LGBT, simply needs to attend one of Affirmation’s conferences. It will change their perspective, heart and likely life forever…. And for [our son]? A miracle indeed. He went from a place of confusion and torment to a place of peace, understanding and pure Christ-like love.
Almost 150 people attended our regional conference in Los Angeles a couple weeks ago. Many people experienced healing like they never have before. “I feel full in a way that I have heard described but never echoed until now. Thank you, Affirmation, for helping to facilitate such a genuine space in which to explore some of the dustiest, darkest, most unwanted pieces of my soul. I have experienced healing in areas that I’ve waited a lifetime to feel.”