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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.”
Nuestros ancianos LGBT no deben poner fin a sus vidas desvaneciéndose en la soledad. Merecen ser rodeados y alentados por los amigos y la familia y la comunidad. Nuestros jóvenes LGBT no deben ver solamente un futuro que se sienten demasiado débiles para enfrentar. Aquellos de nosotros entre la juventud y la vejez no deben vivir nuestras vidas paralizadas con la incertidumbre, incapaces de creer en nuestra capacidad de discernir el camino correcto, de elegir el bien.
A retreat for current and future gay, bi and transgender fathers, March 18-20, 2016, in Lehi, Utah! Come join us for edification, support, and fellowship!
Our LGBT elders must not end their lives fading into loneliness. They deserve to be surrounded and buoyed up by family and friends and community. Our LGBT youth must not see only a future they feel too weak to face. Those of us in between youth and old age must not live our lives paralyzed with uncertainty, unable to believe in our ability to discern the right path, to choose the good.