Recently a high-ranking leader of the LDS Church claimed it was unnecessary to apologise to the LGBT community for historic and long-standing teachings of the church. Among these teachings are the idea that homosexuality is a kind of mental disorder that can and should be cured, and that heterosexual marriage or other therapies were solutions. In many cases, LGBT people were told by their church leaders that a lack of faith on their part was responsible for the failure to overcome homosexual feelings.
Many have suffered.
This is our attempt as a community of Mormons and former Mormons to make amends for our part in this story. This is our response to the idea that the Church or its leaders are above and beyond saying sorry.
***PLEASE***
If you feel so inclined, please add your apology to the LGBT community as a comment below this post. Comments will be moderated and may be removed if they are likely to cause offence or subvert the purpose of this blog. Needless to say, this blog is not an official publication of the LDS Church.
I'm sorry for not standing up sooner. My silence may have lead those who were suffering to think they suffered alone. Christ's message is one of love. I'm an ally and I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I was silent for too many years. I knew better, but my fear of being shunned or cast out of the church kept me quiet, even when I knew better. I was wrong.
ReplyDeleteAs an active Mormon of thirty-five years I participated in a religious faith that marginalized, embarrassed, and misled gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. In various callings, I repeated teachings from Church leaders on this topic which was wrong and hurtful. I now know that over the years many people have been deeply hurt and some have even taken their own lives. I apologise unreservedly for my part in perpetuating false perceptions, and I am happy to say I have completely reversed my position in light of the facts about human sexuality.
ReplyDeleteA long time ago, a gay couple applied to rent our house. I was afraid that their relationship would prove to be unstable. I see now that I was biased as any couple who rented the house could break up. They even offered to take up the carpet and restore the wood floors. Looking back, I think they would have been exceptional renters. I am sorry now. Please accept my apology.
ReplyDeletePlease forgive me for judgemental thoughts toward my LGBT brothers and sisters. Please forgive me for not embracing you as quickly and openly as I should. I believe in a God that has a plan for all of his children regardless of religion or sexual orientation. Please allow me to make changes in my self and community toward a better place that everyone can live.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to see society as a whole becoming more inclusive and accepting. It seems that my religion, however, is only being brought to it kicking and screaming. I am ashamed of having taken for granted the sentiments taught to me and not learning sooner how to love unconditionally and accept my LGBT brothers and sisters. I am sorry and will now defend LGBT rights as vehemently as I ever would my own rights.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I didn't attend my sister's commitment ceremony in 2008 with her now legally wedded wife. I was naïve and let myself be convinced to not attend. She has since forgiven me, but it is something I'll always regret.
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry for my own ignorance based on the teachings I was raised with in the LDS Church. My children were the catalyst that opened my mind to the plight of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. While our church was promoting Prop 8, my children were gathering the signs from the yards in protest to stand up for their own gay friends. When I later found out my nephew was gay also, my eyes were opened further to the silenced voices within our own religion and the detrimental effect on them. I feel fortunate to work at a University that both seeks and trains in diversity and acceptance. When offered LGBTQ Safe Zone training, I eagerly attended. A large sign is now posted on my office door that I am a Safe Zone for our LGBTQ community. Now that I have an understanding for the past and current discrimination, abuse and bullying, I am an ally. It was years in coming, years in seeking understanding of something I had been ignorant of and years in questioning where my own biases were coming from and questioning the validity of them. I am grateful for the change in me and the change in the world that is creating a safer environment for all of us, a stronger stance on human rights, and a more open mind to the diversity among us. But it has a lot further to go especially in the LDS Church. The latest news conference with LDS leadership was discouraging and embarrassing to say the least. I personally am sorry for my part in the ignorance of LGBTQ issues, for not standing up for their rights sooner and for belonging to a church that encourages both the ignorance and the discrimination of LGBTQ. I especially am sorry for the LDS Church’s unwillingness to apologize for the damaging teachings and views they have perpetuated among the members in general but especially among our most vulnerable children who struggle to understand their own gender and sexual identities. My heart hangs in shame that I was associated with such hurtful teachings and beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI have always been a supporter of LGBTQA rights, even when I was in the church. But I should have been more vocal than I was. But I finally took a stand against the church and their bigotry by resigning. I stopped attending back during the Prop 8 mess, but I no longer wanted to officially be listed among them. I am saddened by their continued bigotry. My heart is with all those whom the church has offended. I am and will always be an ally.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that I thought I was more favored or deserving of god's love/favor than my gay friends because I am heterosexual. God loves everybody.
ReplyDeleteAs an LDS member I've always been taught to be accepting of people and have had gay friends for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI used to use the word 'gay' in the wrong way, I apologize.
I apologize for joining the LDS church as a convert while knowing their stance on LGBT issues. I have always supported LGBT rights, but I let myself be fooled into thinking the church was accepting and, at the least, on the right path. I am sorry.
ReplyDeleteI was a product of my religious upbringing. Since then, I have educated myself on human sexuality. I am now proud to be an LGBT ally and love my gay friends unconditionally. I am so sorry to the LGBT community and the LDS LGBT community and their families. So very sorry.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that it took my daughter coming out for me to wake up. I am sorry for the hurt that my church has done to my LGBTQ brothers and sisters. Please know that there are many of us who love you, who hurt with you, and who are working hard to be the change that we want to see in our faith community. Please forgive me, and know that you have a sister and friend in me.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for all the hurts you have suffered. I'm sorry I was not more loving and kind before my own son came out. I'm grateful for all the wonderful LGBT people in my life. You have taught me how to be a better disciple of Christ. I will walk with you, stand up for you, and love you forever.
ReplyDeleteI'm am so profoundly sorry for any hurt I have caused, in my ignorance of lgbtq people. I have participated in a mindset that was wrong and hurtful. I am committed to treating all people with love, respect, and fairness, going forward. I believe that we are all infinitely precious in God's eyes.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that I didn't support gay rights or gay marriage until just a few years ago. When I finally prayed about the issue, I was inspired no only to support gay rights, but that I should go out of my way to actively work to support marriage equality. I was wrong and I am sorry.
ReplyDelete