Supporting LGBTQ+ Teens, 2022 Affirmation International Conference
A research-based presentation and discussion led by licensed therapist, researcher, and professor Tyler Lefevor on how church leaders, and others, can support LGBTQ+ teens within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the 2022 Affirmation International Conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 8th, 2022.
About Tyler Lefevor
Tyler Lefevor is a licensed therapist, researcher, and professor at Utah State University. His work focuses on how LGBTQ+ individuals raised in conservative religions can flourish. He was raised LDS and identifies as queer. He and his husband, Brock, live in Kaysville, UT.
About this Session
LGBTQ+ teens raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints face unique challenges, as do those who love and support them. Over the past two years, researchers at Utah State University have conducted interviews with 38 LGBTQ+ teens and their parents as well as with 25 LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints about ways to best support LGBTQ+ teens. In this session, we present key findings from these interviews that focus on 1) the unique microaggressions experienced by LGBTQ+ teens in LDS contexts, 2) ways that parents can build positive relationships with their LGBTQ+ teens, and 3) how church leaders can effectively minister to LGBTQ+ teens within an LDS framework.
About the Affirmation International Conference
The Affirmation International Conference is an annual conference hosted by Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends for the worldwide LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint community.
About Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends
Affirmation creates worldwide communities of safety, love, and hope and promotes understanding, acceptance, and self-determination of individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. We affirm the inherent self-worth of LGBTQIA+ individuals as complete, equal, and valuable persons and support them as they define their individual spirituality and intersection with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Affirmation’s vision is to be a refuge to land, heal, share, and be authentic.