Posts

Sealed Envelope

A Letter to the Latter-day Saint Prophet: LGBT Policy Lacking in Love

April 16, 2019 |

Gay members needed to return to the closet and continue to live in dark places, unheard, unseen, or be banished to a life of celibacy. I cried and cried when I read this policy, and could not, nor do I still understand or accept such a policy.

Submitted to Affirmation following The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s reversal of their November 2015 policy changes that prohibited children of LGBTQ parents from being blessed and baptized and characterized members of the church entering into same-sex marriages as apostates. These changes became known within the LGBTQ Mormon community as the “exclusion policy,” “policy of exclusion,” or “PoX.” The day after the reversal of this policy was announced, Nathan Kitchen, President of Affirmation, invited anyone willing to and share their authentic feelings and all their stories of grief, anger, relief, sadness, happiness, confusion, whatever they may be that surround the rescinding this policy. “As President of Affirmation, I want to be sure Affirmation does not hide you or your stories as we move forward,” wrote Kitchen in his invitation. If you have reactions or a story to share about the reversal of the exclusion policy, please send to submissions@affirmation.org. You can also read other stories and reactions to the reversal of the exclusion policy.

Revelation as Individuals or as a Church Never Divests Us of Our Agency

April 15, 2019 |

The Lord may keep back-up plans ready so that his designs can’t be subverted by human stupidity or intransigence, but he also tends to let us learn the hard way—even as he’s there with us through the process.

19 Aff Spring Conf Arizona

Register for the Affirmation Spring Conference, May 3 – 5

April 15, 2019 |

Join other LGBTQ Mormons, their family members, and their friends in Phoenix/Mesa Arizona for the Affirmation Spring Conference! Affirmation’s conference is specifically being held this weekend so Affirmation can also connect you Saturday morning with the incredible ALL Conference hosted by ALL (Arizona LDS LGBT) Arizona.

Woman Holding Compass

I Have Confidence in My Own Moral Compass

April 15, 2019 |

The most prominent emotion I currently feel is confidence—confidence in my own moral compass, my own ability to recognize when something is wrong and to act accordingly. I can—as my mother has always encouraged me—be the change I want to see in the world and our church.

Audience Hands Up

Softened Hearts toward Wonderful Souls Deserving Unreserved Love

April 15, 2019 |

People in the Church are at least talking about an issue that for most of my life was taboo. LGBTQ people are increasingly being seen as the good people they are.

Sealed Envelope

Carta ao Santo Profeta dos Últimos Dias: Política LGBT sem amor

April 14, 2019 |

Os membros gays precisavam retornar ao armário e continuar vivendo em lugares escuros, desconhecidos, invisíveis ou banidos para uma vida de celibato. Chorei e chorei ao ler esta política e não pude, nem ainda compreendo ou aceito tal política.

Cesto papel arrugado basura

La reversión de la política de exclusión no significa nada para mí, el daño está hecho

April 11, 2019 |

Estoy enojado, estoy herido, estoy preocupado por aquellos que perdieron el amor, perdieron la esperanza, perdieron la conexión con la familia, perdieron a un ser querido por el suicidio. Solía tener a la Iglesia en la más alta estima. Ahora veo a la Iglesia como la Gran y Abominable ramera del mundo.

Puedes reescribir la política, pero no puedes deshacer el daño

April 11, 2019 |

Estoy enojado por todo el daño que esto ha causado, solo para que se deshaga cuatro años después. Realmente desearía que la política no se hubiera puesto en marcha en primer lugar.

Man Suit Pointing

The Policy Was a Test for the Faithful but Not of Faith

April 10, 2019 |

Don’t embarrass yourself with callous, ill-founded “what if’s,” “but’s,” rationalizations, excuses, or scapegoating. By all means, cling to a belief that the policy was God’s will if you so chose, but own the horrible implications and consequences of that belief.