This was really a great interview with Stacey Harkey.
I am a white, straight, life-long
member of the Church.
Thanks so much Stacey for helping me see what a struggle it is to be a minority,
marginalized, person in our
religious community of Latter-day Saints. I can’t begin to articulate my comments as well as you did in this interview. I think Bishops and other leaders play such a big role in giving advice. Compassion and empathy can
have such a positive effect versus a condescending attitude toward one’s lifestyle or tendencies. My mother had cancer a number of years ago and was unable to attended Church for several months while she underwent some intense therapy. Her Temple recommend was expiring during that time and she wanted to keep it current.
The Bishop stated that he wanted her
to come back to Church for
a few weeks before he would consider it. While she was hurt by this, she understood the Bishop was just trying to do the best he could, even though I thought that decision could have been handled more kindly.
I appreciated Stacey’s honesty
and his authenticity of his self worth. The loss of self worth
being dictated by others is what is so dangerous.
Thanks Stacey for helping me see things from your perspective.