Introduction and Warning

While I don't consider this page especially anti-Mormon, it isn't exactly faith promoting either. You will not be the first person to send me an email telling me that there is no such thing as a gay Mormon. I do reserve the right to publish any of the more amusing ones though.

Resources

Where can a Gay Mormon find more information?

• Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons
• Gamofites: Gay Mormon Fathers
• Family Fellowship is a volunteer service organization, a diverse collection of Mormon families engaged in the cause of strengthening families with homosexual members.
• We See What We Believe: The Heterosexualization of Gay Men and Lesbians in the LDS Church by Jeffery R. Jensen, M.D.
• Beware of Reparative Therapy.
• Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse. A response to the abusive use of the bible against gays and lesbians and all others oppressed and alienated by religion.
• A very interesting site that tells of men and women who decided that they could not be changed into heterosexuals. This is especially useful for people who know about someone who "used" to be gay, but has been "cured." Whosoever Responds To "Ex-Gays"s
  
• LDS Reconciliation Reconciliation affirms the spirituality of Gays and Lesbians and seeks to provide a safe haven for individuals with a Latter-day saint background to discuss the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Mormonism: Legitimate Religion? Some very interesting Gay Mormon content.

Being Queer at the Lord's University

The Lord speaks through his apostle.

Some years ago, Elder Boyd K. Packer gave an address that later was refered to the "Enemies of the Church" talk. Below is the complete address.

Talk to the All-Church Coordinating Council by Elder Boyd.K. Packer

Church Apostle Boyd K. Packer delivered a speech on 1976-OCT-2 which was directed to "young men of Aaronic Priesthood age"; i.e. to young men. His talk dealt with sexuality and the young male. It was widely distributed throughout the LDS church at the time. Packer is currently (1996-NOV) the acting president of the Quorum of 12 Apostles. With reference to homosexual activities, he stated:

"I repeat, very plainly, physical mischief with another man is forbidden. It is forbidden by the Lord.

There are some men who entice young men to join them in these immoral acts. If you are ever
approached to participate in anything like that, it is time to vigorously resist.

While I was in a mission on one occasion, a missionary said he had something to confess. I was very
worried because he just could not get himself to tell me what he had done.

After patient encouragement he finally blurted out, "I hit my companion."

"Oh, is that all," I said in great relief.

"But I floored him," he said.

After learning a little more, my response was "Well, thanks. Somebody had to do it, and it wouldn't be
well for a General Authority to solve the problem that way"

I am not recommending that course to you, but I am not omitting it. You must protect yourself."

Packer went on to state that the belief that a person has an unchangeable sexual orientation is a maliciius and destructive lie...it is of the devil...No one is locked into that kind of life."

Evolution of Policy Concerning Gay Men in the Mormon Church

The Way We Were

The OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS to bishops who were confronted with young men that had homosexual tendencies used to say that we should be advised to marry a good woman, but don't tell her about the "problem" because there would be no need. The marriage would cure the tendencies and make the young man "normal." No mention was made at that time of women with homosexual tendencies. The church didn't recognized the existence of lesbians until recently.

The first time I checked, which was a long time ago back when I was a young man, the official policy was that homosexuality was a deliberate decision made in a spirit of rebellion. Years later, it was just a temptation that anyone with a little faith could overcome. (source: "Boyd KKK Packer" conference talks) Later, it was due to something that happened to you, possibly before you were old enough to realize what was happening, but it can be healed. (source: LDS SS counsellor) Now, it seems they admit it isn't always curable. No source for that one, it has come about since I quit being LDS. I realize you may not consider an apostle speaking in general conference or a counsellor assigned to work with "those that have homosexual concerns" to be official sources, but you won't get much better.

And How it is Today. Or, the stab in the back.

I got married under the "Marry a good woman but don't tell her" era. Twenty years later when I came out to my current bishop he asked me why I got married if I knew I was gay.

I was especially irritated by comment in the February 2000 issue of the LDS church magazine, the Ensign.

I was grateful to read, “If your loved one is not already married, do not encourage him or her to marry as a ‘cure’ for homosexuality.” If only my ex-husband had heeded that, we would not be going through the nightmare of divorce.

I was active in the Church, attended the temple, and stayed chaste, but I was not protected from the bad things that can happen in this life. I couldn’t understand why the Lord allowed this to happen to me, but I now realize He gives everyone agency and sometimes that means some of us get hurt along the way. I now understand the Atonement more than I ever did. The Lord comforted my soul in times of sorrow.

Name Withheld