| |
Petition Home Page
Below are links to church history and
personal stories of those who have experienced the pain that
comes from endeavoring to change their sexual orientation in
order to comply with church teachings and policy.
Personal stories,
Rocky, Drew, Val & Ray
Gay & Lesbian Member Suicide List
We Can Change History For Gay LDS
Lifetime
Celibacy or Excommunication
Policy
The Etiology of
Homosexuality from Authoritative Latter-day Saint Perspectives,
1879-2006
A Revised
History of Homosexuality & Mormonism, 1840-1980
Chronology Of Mormon / LDS Involvement In Same-Sex Marriage Politics
Mormons for Marriage
supports marriage equality for all, and stands in respectful
opposition to California Proposition 8.
Mormon Politics & Member Opinion
ABC News- Gay Mormons Face Excommunication
|
|
|
Foundation for
Reconciliation
GODSPEED!
“This event (the Memorial Service for LGBT
suicide victims) speaks deeply to my heart; I have read many
accounts of gay young people who have struggled and either committed
suicide or somehow survived. I raised my children in the Mormon
Church, thankfully in California where they could see the wider
culture and realize that Mormonism is not the end all and be all of
earthly existence. As a mid-teen, my gay daughter had the wisdom
and courage to reject the Mormon Church and its homophobic doctrines
and policies, for which I will be eternally grateful. I am now a
joyful member of the UUCO (Unitarians).
When I read what you are planning to do, I was
both thrilled and shocked, as my understanding of the Mormon mindset
immediately started to play out responses from some Mormons that are
sure to be elicited. I hope you are working with folks who were
deeply indoctrinated in the Mormon teachings and culture so you can
effectively address the rhetoric and protestations and counter
accusations that are sure to arise. I would not be very surprised at
all if those fringy Mormons who are truly homophobic and who are
using the Mormon position as justification for their hatred were to
erupt in some sort of violence. I know you understand that many
Mormons whose families include gay members – nieces, nephews,
grandchildren, even children – accept the church’s position and
consider their family members sinners.
I have felt that belief in my own family; my
daughter’s father (my ex-husband) voted for Prop 8 and told my
daughter that if it didn’t pass the next thing on the gay
community’s agenda would be legalizing marriage between him and his
dog. I have quietly endured many attacks and innuendoes against
gays and lesbians from various friends and family members (who know
I have a gay daughter), as my attempts at logical and reasoned
responses have fallen on deaf ears and I long ago gave up on them.
Mormons are extremely adept at playing the
victim, and I’m sure that will be at the top of their response
list. They will very cleverly attempt to make the UU Church appear
to be the predator. They may search out names of Unitarians who
have committed suicide. They will attack anything that sets
Unitarians apart from everyday Christians. They will call us
atheists (which doesn’t bother me, but “atheist” is an even hotter
word than gay, lesbian or homosexual!)
I do salute you for doing this; you are very
courageous, and I wish you the best. Godspeed!!!”—Marilyn
Johnson
|
|
|
Please take time to read this petition, as well as read the stories and
links provided, and pass this information on to your friends and
link to us if you have a website or blog.
By
doing so, you will be sending a message to the leaders of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that it is time for
reconciliation between the Church and its gay and lesbian members.
More importantly, you will be showing support for those who have
been hurt by Church policies and practices because of their sexual
orientation.
"Gay, lesbian and bisexual teens and
young adults have one of the highest rates of suicide attempts — and
some other health and mental health problems, including substance
abuse. A new study suggests that parental acceptance, and even
neutrality, with regard to a child's sexual orientation could have a
big impact in reducing this rate."-NPR, All
Things Considered, December 29, 2008
"I
implore the students at BYU to re-assess their homophobic feelings,"
wrote Stuart Matis in The Daily Universe
shortly before
committing suicide. "Seek to understand first before you make
comments. We have the same needs as you. We desire to love and be
loved. We desire to live our lives with happiness. We are not a
threat to you or your families."
"Utah’s overall suicide rate is the 10th highest in the nation.
Unfortunately, it is the leading cause of death for Utah males ages
15 to 19, who die at a rate nearly double the national average. It
is the leading cause of death for adolescent males in Utah."-KUED.org
Voices of Hope Discussion Guide
"Thank
you,
Carol Lynn Pearson,
for reminding us that the task of any religion is to teach us whom
we're required to love, not whom we're entitled to hate." - Rabbi
Harold Kushner
About
Us
|
|
