Join us as we discuss the surprising events that challenge norms—married gay Mormons now receiving callings and participating in the sacrament. We will explore the impact, reactions, and implications of this new chapter, and discuss whether it marks a significant change in the community’s approach to inclusivity and acceptance.
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Show Notes:
- Charlie Bird
- Charlie and Ryan wedding
- Charlie and Ryan wedding video
- Answers from the Closet – Season 3 Episode 1
- Nuance Hug Foundation
- NuanceHoe YouTube
- Clip of Charlie on Instagram
- On the Record – LDS history with LGBTQ
- Jillian Ore
- Latter-Gay Stories Podcast
- Jubilee – Middle Ground
- Without the Mask by Charlie Bird
- Expanding the Borders of Zion by Charlie Bird
- Aaron Sherinian profile
- A Thoughtful Faith YouTube
Mormon Stories Related
- 1584: Coming Out at BYU Graduation – Jillian Orr
- 1721: Gay Mormon Rescue? – Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty
- 368: “A Thoughtful Faith” Episode 1 – Greg Prince’s “Manifesto for Change”
- 765-766: Staying Actively Engaged in Mormonism – The “A Thoughtful Faith” Panel
- 532-534: Micah Nickolaisen — From “A Thoughtful Faith” to “Any Opposed” – On Mormon Activism and Secular Communities
- 1439-1440: A Mexican Mormon Story – Gerardo
- 974-975: Jill and Katie Searle – Responding to Tragedy with Grace and Resilience
- 770-773: Laurie Lee Hall – Standing in my truth, Walking in my faith
- 998-999: Dusty Johns – Facing Excommunication for Being Same-Sex Married
- 1613: Persecuted by The Mormon Church – A Modern Case of Lying for the Lord – Douglas & Brennen
- 623: Elizabeth Grimshaw – Facing LDS Excommunication for being Same-Sex Married
7 Responses
I do wonder how David Archuleta’s very public defection last year because he was gay had anything to with this change. I mean it was pretty bad publicity.
Question: I know that the LDS church has counseled heterosexual married couples on appropriate sexual activities. Is this true as well for gay couples?
It did so once in the early 1980s. I don’t think that ever happened again. Though happy to be corrected on that. Don’t think the church has any place in anyone’s sexual preference or activity. Full open consent by all people involved.
When you set standards that are not attainable, especially for the LGBTQ+ community, the consequences of religious and psychological damage – suicides will prevail. I ask this question of the Mormon Church: “Would you rather have a deceased member (due to suicide) who was compliant with the Church’s homosexuality guidelines, but was in deep internal conflict over their sexuality due to Church policies. Or, an alive member or ex-member who is thriving and accepting of their sexuality and developed a spiritual life outside the Church?” God did not create anyone to self-destruct due to confusing religious dogma and ignorance. Human sexuality is extremely complex and most people do not understand the dynamics of its developmental origins – including the Mormon Church! Please get educated before demanding adherence to polices that could be catastrophic.
Esta noticia de apertura o aceptacion de parejas homosexuales ,es e nla Yglesia Original que esta en Sant Lake City????
Porque aca en Chile aun Te miran de manera ibferior y penosa ; si eres Trans o Gey .es una realidad en 2024
Sera que algun dia la Yglesia Mormona de Chile permitira que una Mujer Trans y su pateja ,tomen la santa Cena y reciba el sacerdocio su marido? O que se pueda sellar en el Templo
I am writing this to you, in addition to my book on kindle “The diary of a (gay) Latter-day Saint” which is presently available in an e-book on kindle. The forward to my book was written by John Livingstone – a former associate prof at BYU and one of several LDS scholars who wrote the Book “Understanding Same Sex Attraction.” A review of my book was written by Joel McDonald… senior vice President of Affirmation.
I have been an active ex-communicated non member, but due to additional complications in my life, I finding more questions than answers. It has been and is still very painful to me. Below, please find information on my life since my book was placed on kindle.
My spouse of almost 21 years discovered he has prostrate cancer. His prostrate was removed, and he is presently living on hormone therapy. He is in remission, however, the hormone therapy will not prevent the cancer cells from mutating. He has been told he could live a few months, or a few years. We live from day to day with uncertainty of out future. Without testosterone he is no longer able to have sexual relationships.
The thought of my spouse leaving me caused me to reflect on my marriage and my future within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of my spouses impending demise, I could not help conclude that my only hope of ever being a member of the Church would only be able to happen if I obtain a divorce or if my spouse dies. I found this extremely degrading and disgusting. It was most painful.
I have requested to be re-baptized twice:
Once while living in Nova Scotia. Gay marriage was legal in Canada… and since I was living legally as a married person… my stake president made the request for me. He felt certain permission would be granted. When he received no answer to his request he phoned the first presidents office. An employee told him verbally that not revelation had yet been received for people such as me. The stake president was greatly disappointed and told me verbally of his call. I am certain the First President’a Office would not have phone him if he had not contacted them.
My second attempt was recently sent in by my Stake President in the Surrey Stake within Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. I am not surprised that he has received no reply to my request.
Since my discovery of my spouse’s illness, a dear Latter-day Saint gay friend who has lives with his partner for almost twenty years put pictures of him attending the temple with his stake president. I was astonished. Upon writing to him, he explained that since he and his partner had never married, but simply lived together, he did not have to go to the first president’s office to make a request. He and his partner have decided to live together as friends and a member of their area Seventy gave them permission to attend the temple.
I have met and visited with Charlie Bird when he was here in BC for a weekend conference on homosexuality, As you know, he has been married and is an active member with his spouse.
While I am happy for these people, I find it very painful to be in my present situations.
Because I am 79 I was, as a young man married in the temple to my French wife. I had two daughters before she passed away with cancer at age 30. My daughters were 3 and 5 at the time. When I had my daughters, the Church encouraged people like me to get married to those of the opposite sex.
Presently, the Church instructs us to remain celibate… children are therefore not allowed. My daughters, according to present LDS policies should be non-existent. I raised them in the Church. One has supported her husband as a Bishop and in a Stake Presidency. The other is semi-active. If I am to follow the current prophet I am having difficulty knowing where they fit in. They supposedly do not exist, and this situation is caused entirely by changing policies.
I have seldom heard anyone menytion these complications made on LDS gay members. I am left empty.
The recent October conference emphasized temple promises and renewing them EACH WEEK when we take the sacrament. I have NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE SACRAMENT since May of 2002. I am not allowed to think Celestial and conference only pounded into me my hopeless situation, even though I have remained active for all but four years of my excommuncation.
I hope this letter gives you more to think about for people such as myself and it may be of help to you.
Dean Snelling
dean_snelling@hotmail.com