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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.
Gay & Lesbian Member Suicide List
We Can Change History For Gay LDS
Lifetime
Celibacy or Excommunication
Policy
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
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Foundation for
Reconciliation
The Message
Within Us
"I am a gay man - As a boy I knew I was gay
from the age of 8 years old but didn't realize there was a "gay"
scene, let alone in my home town of Newcastle. I had been introduced
to the LDS church through a door knock by 2 missionaries.
My very next gay partner was another
teenager who was Mormon. So began many years of experiencing the
wonders of the LDS church with all it's blessings on one hand and
the hypocrisy on the other. During my active membership I saw the
change of mind regarding bigamy, the Negro being accepted into the
Priesthood - all by a change of mind of the President and his men -
or was it divine intervention? Whilst I stayed in the closest and
lived a lie to the church, my friend was excommunicated for being
"gay" ( he was more obvious I guess).
I even saw the details of his
excommunication in the library history section whilst on visit to
Salt Lake City in the late 70's. My friends in the church sometimes
openly prayed that the church may get a revelation but over 40 years
down the track nothing seems to have changed on this particular
matter. Now the church is fast becoming irrelevant amidst the lack
of scientific proof of the history as told in the Book of Mormon.
Nevertheless the church has stayed deep in
my heart. It doesn't matter to me now to be excommunicated or not -
all churches have become obsessed with what happens materially or
physically with our bodies, because none can explain infinity or the
beginning - not even the LDS - we are just not supposed to know -
it's that simple - if you want to be loved by the lord you must be
honest with yourself - bigots are not being honest with themselves -
they just play a game which has been happening ever since it all
began. The LDS Church, like others, do not have love for one another
- just listen to the words they make - not my judgment but their own
- God doesn't rely on the Mormons any more than the Jews to get his
message out - it is within us all already.
So I will sign the petition and stay away
from the Chapel - living my life in harmony with God and my fellow
man." -Grahame Wheatley
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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
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