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It is hard for me to imagine a Jesus who would not have walked among those whose love and concern lit the Y tonight and would not also have brought his light as well to show love.
Now with the bright red line drawn defining “worthiness” as fully accepting, by way of testimony, all current church leader teachings on LGBTQ issues, even when such teachings have been constantly changing and even reversing (think PoX), I fear that many Queer persons trying to remain in the church, especially transgender members, will become even more marginalized lower-caste souls.
The conversation touched on various topics, including the unique circumstances of queer individuals in and adjacent to the LDS Church, the influence of religious culture and practice on LGBTQIA+ matters in Ukraine, and how to reach more queer individuals in need of support through in-person connections and social media.
Recording of fireside on February 27, 2022. This fireside featured a Q&A panel for parents to come and ask questions of parents who are farther along on the road of knowing they have an LGBTQIA+ child.
Laurie wrote, “As I return to the leadership of the oldest and largest LGBTQIA-led organization at the Queer/Latter-day Saint intersection, I renew my commitment to help each of you to define your individual journey — rather than being defined by others — including power centers to whom we may have once yielded our authority.”
Eternity has changed. It is no longer the infinite straight line for the chosen few. It is here and now in the ever-expanding universe of ways of believing and being: the diversity of cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, philosophies, personalities, abilities, moralities, genders, sexualities, interests, esthetics, values…and on and on.
Undoubtedly, this is the greatest and most valuable lesson learned on this Valentine’s Day: A reminder to bring love and light, through the message of Affirmation, to those who need it most.
Considering the expansiveness of the divine, why would God not be able to exalt a same-sex couple who love and care for each other and yearn to be together forever? At the end of the day, isn’t God truly concerned about the person we have become?
Affirmation President Nathan Kitchen presented at the Utah Valley University Humanities Symposium on February 17, 2022. The title of his presentation was “Unashamed Authenticity: Unapologetically Navigating the Queer/Latter-day Saint Intersection during an Ongoing Restoration.”