LGBT Mormon suicides explained

See also: Views on suicide in the LDS Church, Homosexuality and the LDS Church, Gender minorities and the LDS Church and Suicide among LGBT youth.

In society at large, LGBT individuals, especially youth, are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide.^{[1] [2] [3]} Though causes of mental health risk are complex, one often cited reason for these higher risks is minority stress stemming from societal anti-LGBT biases and stigma, rejection, and internalized homophobia.^[4]

A 2016 empirical study found a correlation between the percentage of members of Mormonism's largest denomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), in a U.S. state and the suicide rates of that state, stating the reason was due to the church's stance on same-sex sexual relations.^[5] The study could not examine what percentages of the deaths were LGBT persons or the percentage that were Latter-day Saints. A 2002 research report found a negative correlation in suicide between LDS Church youth members and nonmember youth in Utah, finding higher levels of religiosity appear to be inversely associated with suicide. The study did not take into account sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.^[6] In a 2015 survey of 92 LGBTQ BYU students done by USGA, over half had at some point considered self-harm.

Other studies have shown that LGBTQ Mormons and former Mormons experience higher rates of certain mental health disorders such as PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder than the general population. These are positively correlated with suicidality. One snowball sampling study of 1,612 LGBT Mormon and former Mormon respondents in 2015 found that involvement with the LDS Church and being single and celibate or engaging in a mixed-orientation marriage are both associated with higher rates of depression and a lower quality of life for LGBT individuals.

Many have stated the belief that LDS teachings on homosexuality and gender, such as the belief gender and sexuality can be changed, have contributed to the suicides of LGBTQ members, and enabled harsh behavior by its members. In January 2016 the LDS Church stated in regards to reported suicides of LGBT Mormons that leaders and members are taught to "reach out in an active, caring way to all, especially to youth who feel estranged or isolated."^[7] Affirmation, the largest and oldest continuously run LGBT Mormon organization, reported over 30 LGBT LDS deaths by suicide between 1971 and 2008^{[8] [9]} including five gay male Brigham Young University (BYU) students who died by suicide in 1965.^{[10] [11]}

Research

Suicidality among the general LGBTQ population in the United States (US) is an area of ongoing research. The US Department of Health and Human Services found in 1989 that nearly 1 of 3 adolescent suicides in the US were by lesbian and gay teens. Another 2001 study found that homosexual teens were 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers with suggestions that higher rates of depression, victimization by bullies, and alcohol use to numb anxiety from hiding ones stigmatized sexual orientation may be causative factors.^[12] Teen suicide rates in the US and Utah (a state with a large LDS population) have increased over the past decade.^[13] Among Utah youth aged 10–17 who died by suicide during 2011–2015 with circumstances data, 45% (48 of 146) were LDS affiliated. Of the 40 cases that included information on the decedent's sexual orientation, six (15.0%) were identified as sexual minorities.^[14]

Various research surveys have found a range of correlations in the intersection of suicidality and involvement with the LDS Church. Studies have shown that LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and LGBT former Latter-day Saints experience higher rates of certain mental health disorders such as PTSD and major depressive disorder than the general population, and these are positively correlated with suicidality. One study of 1,612 LGBT Latter-day Saint and former Latter-day Saint respondents in 2015 found that involvement with the LDS Church and being single and celibate or engaging in a mixed-orientation marriage are both associated with higher rates of depression and a lower quality of life for LGBT individuals.^[15] Depression has been shown to have a strong positive correlation with suicidal intent.^[16] Clinically significant symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder related to their experiences within Mormonism have also been observed at high rates among affiliated and disaffiliated LGBTQ Latter-day Saints,^{[17] [18] [19]} and PTSD is associated with suicide attempts and ideation.^{[20] [21]}

A large representative sample of Utah middle and high school students shows higher rates of suicide for LGBTQ youth, which was higher for non-LDS LGBTQ youth when compared to LDS LGBTQ youth.^[22]  An analysis by the church's largest university, Brigham Young University (BYU), of data from the 2019 Utah Department of Human Services survey of Utah students (6th to 12th grade) found that "religious affiliation was unrelated to suicidality and depression for LGBQ youths once other factors (e.g., family, drug use) were taken into account."^[23] For both non-LDS and LDS Utah youth, higher levels of family conflict and lower levels of parental closeness were related to increased reports of depression, substance use, self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempts.

A key factor in determining mental health wellbeing is family acceptance and support, and feelings of isolation and rejection are correlated with suicidality. Studies show LDS transgender and other gender diverse (TGD) individuals tend to have much better outcomes when their family members are affirming.^[24]

Teachings on sexuality and gender identity origins and purported changeability

A number of individuals^{[25] [26]} and organizations^[27] have stated their belief that church teachings against homosexuality and the treatment of LGBT Mormons by other members and leaders has contributed to LGBT Mormon suicides.^{[28] [29]} For example, LDS historian Gregory Prince stated that by condemning homosexuality as "evil, self-inflicted, and impossible in postmortal existence" LDS church leaders have enabled harsh behavior by its members with the alarming number of LDS LGBT homeless and Utah's highest per capita teen suicide rate in the country manifesting the effects of this cruelty. A prominent openly gay member Mitch Mayne wrote in 2012 that his LDS mother told him it would have been better for her if he had been born dead (i.e. stillborn) rather than live and grow up and be gay.

In the late 1990s psychiatrist Jeffery R. Jensen^[30] directed his presentations' comments to church leaders and LDS Family Services stating that "far too many of our lesbian and gay youths kill themselves because of what you say about them," and "those who believe your false promises and remain celibate in the hopes of eventual 'cure' are consigned to a misery."^{[31] [32]} Soon after, the American Psychiatric Association disavowed therapy trying to change sexual orientation as ineffective and destructive, and current publications find that these efforts can be very harmful.^{[33] [34]}

Sexual orientation or gender identity conversion efforts

See main article: Sexual orientation change efforts and the LDS Church.

Church leaders taught for decades that members could and should try to "turn off" gay attractions through means including personal righteousness.^[35] These teachings were taken to heart by many adherents as a 2015 survey of 1,612 LGBT Mormons and former Mormons found that 73% of men and 43% of women had attempted sexual orientation change, usually through multiple methods across many years.^[36] LGBTQ youth who have undergone sexual orientation or gender identity conversion efforts (SOGICE) are more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide and more than 2.5 times as likely to report multiple suicide attempts in the past year according to a 2020 survey of over 30,000 teen and young adult LGBTQ individuals. The study also found that greater levels of family religiosity are associated with increased attempts at SOGICE, and three-fourths of respondents who had undergone SOGICE reported parents using religion to say negative things about being LGBTQ.^[37] Another study of 245 LGBTQ young adults found those who reported both parent-initiated attempts to convince them to change, and formal efforts by others (e.g. church clergy) were 5 times more likely to report suicide attempts than those who reported no change attempts or conversion efforts.^[37]

Responses

Apostle Todd Christofferson's gay brother Tom stated that he was "quite surprised" that he was still gay after serving his mission having believed church teachings that through righteous effort God would remove same-sex attractions. Former bishop Robert Rees stated in 2016 that he counseled many gay members who followed church leader promises about changing their sexual orientation via missions, temple attendance, and scripture reading, and when change didn't came they often blamed themselves for not being righteous enough and this led to many attempted and successful suicides. LDS author Carol Lynn Pearson whose husband came out as gay many years into their marriage stated that, "to me it is clear that many suicides among young Mormon homosexuals, as well as gay people in other religions, can be traced directly to a hostile social and religious environment."^[38] One of the Evergreen International's first board members, and a stake presidency member Russ Baker-Gorringe became severely depressed when his continued efforts to change his attractions failed, resulting in a 1999 suicide attempt only prevented by his daughter.^{[39] [40]}

Changes in teachings on change efforts

LDS church leaders explicitly promoted therapy attempts to change sexual orientation in the past, but have recently shifted away from those previous views. A church leader did not take a position on conversion therapy when asked in 2006.^[41] Church leaders began explicitly stating that same-sex physical attractions were not a choice in 2012^[42] and stating that therapy focusing on a change in sexual orientation was unethical in 2016.^[43]

Church leader teachings on suicide

See main article: Views on suicide in the LDS Church.

See also: Religious views on suicide and Christian views on suicide.

Church teachings on suicide have changed through the years.^[44] One of the earliest recorded explicit mentions by a top church leader was by George Q. Cannon in the First Presidency who stated in an 1893 editorial to LDS youth that "Every member of the Church should be made to understand that it is a dreadful sin to take one's own life. It is self-murder ...."^[45] He echoed this stating, "They who do so are guilty of murder, self-murder it is true ... no one can destroy so precious a gift as that of life without incurring a severe penalty."^{[46] [47] [44]} Cannon recorded that the First Presidency decided those who died by suicide would not receive an honorable burial in their LDS temple robes as was customary for endowed members.^[48] In 1987 the apostle M. Russell Ballard also stated that those who die by suicide have "committed a very serious sin, and some consequences of it may remain with them throughout eternity."^[49] Church seventy Bruce R. McConkie wrote in his highly influential LDS bestseller^{[50] [51]} Mormon Doctrine that "Suicide is murder, pure and simple, and murderers are damned."^{[52] [53] [54]} In the 2011 LDS Beliefs: A Doctrinal Reference published by the church, the section on suicide called it "self-murder" and stated that, "modern prophets and apostles have likewise spoken clearly about the seriousness of murder, including self-murder and the severity of consequences associated therewith."^[55]

The LDS Church released a statement through spokesman Dale Jones on 28 January 2016 mourning the reported suicides of 32 LGBT Mormons. The release stated that leaders and members are taught to "reach out in an active, caring way to all, especially to youth who feel estranged or isolated."^[7] On 9 February 2016 when apostle Dallin H. Oaks was asked about church leaders and members' responsibility for the treatment of LGBT individuals that may have precipitated in suicides he stated "that's a question that will be answered on judgment day" and that "nobody is sadder about a case like that than I am."^[56]

Church suicide prevention efforts

In June 2016 the church published its official Mental Health website^[57] followed shortly in September 2016 by its official Preventing Suicide website.^[58] In August 2017, the LDS Church supported the LoveLoud Festival, a concert event at Utah Valley University raising money for charities which support LGBTQ youth.^[59] In April 2018, the LDS Church donated $150,000 to the state of Utah to aid in suicide prevention.^[60] In July 2018, the LDS Church donated $25,000 to the LGBT advocacy group to aid in worldwide suicide prevention training.^[61]

Publicized instances of suicide

Below are a few media-reported, completed suicides of LGBT individuals from Mormon backgrounds, with the year of death noted in parentheses.

• Carlyle Marsden (1976) — BYU music professor Marsden died by suicide^[62] two days after being outed by an arrest for alleged homosexual activity.^{[63] [64] [65]}
• Unnamed (1980s) — A gay BYU student died by suicide a few months into a mixed-orientation temple marriage encouraged by his stake president Richard Cracroft who was a BYU professor. Cracroft later stated in reference to the event that, "admittedly, not many of us [church leaders] know how to counsel homosexuals."^[66]
• Unnamed (1987) — Painter Randall Lake (who was gay and had married a woman in an LDS temple before leaving the marriage) produced several portraits of suicide including one of his Mormon boyfriend who had hung himself a few days after he was ostracized when they both came out.^[67]
• Stuart Matis (2000) — 32-year-old Matis, a gay Mormon active in the church, died by suicide on 25 February 2000 on the steps of a California church stake center building where the apostle Jeffrey Holland was scheduled to speak that day.^{[68] [69]} His death came during the height of the LDS Church's fight to ban same-sex marriage in California with Proposition 22, also known as Knight's Initiative.^{[70] [71]} Shortly before his death he wrote a 12-page letter to his cousin in which he states that when he heard the church was asking members to donate time and money in support of Prop 22 he "cried for hours in [his] room" and he felt that the church's positions created an environment "hostile for young gay Mormons." The letter also stated "straight members have absolutely no idea what it is like to grow up gay in this church.... It is a life of constant torment, self-hatred and internalized homophobia."^[72] The same month he also wrote a letter to the editor that was published in BYU's newspaper^{[73] [74]} pleading for the acceptance of homosexual individuals in response to a letter published five days before^[75] which had compared homosexuality to pedophilia, bestiality and Satanism.^[76] Right before his death he wrote a note stating, "The church has no idea that ... there are surely boys and girls on their callused hands and knees imploring God to free them of their pain. They hate themselves ... God never intended me to be straight. Hopefully, my death might be a catalyst for some good."^{[77] [78]}
• D.J. Thompson (2000) — Two weeks after Stuart's death a 33-year-old gay Mormon man in Florida died by suicide after writing a note referencing Stuart's death. The note stated that Proposition 22 was the "last straw in my lifelong battle to see peace in the world."^{[79] [80]}
• Clay Whitmer (2000) — Three weeks after Stuart's death, another gay Mormon in California who was involved in his church community was a victim of suicide. Whitmer, who had become close friends with Matis while the two were serving an LDS mission in Italy had attempted suicide six times over the space of several years, but died by suicide on the seventh attempt after Matis' death.^{[70] [72] [77] [81]}
• Bryan Michael Egnew (2011) — After 40-year-old Egnew came out as gay to his wife, she immediately left North Carolina with their children, his family shunned him, and local leaders excommunicated him within two weeks because he refused to denounce his sexual orientation. He died by suicide a few weeks later.^{[82] [83]}
• Jack Denton Reese (2012) — Seventeen-year-old Reese was from a small town in Utah where over 90% of the residents were LDS.^[84] He died by suicide in 2012 after experiencing severe physical and verbal bullying at school.^{[85] [86]}
• Harry Fisher (2016) — Fisher was a 28-year-old BYU history student and had come out on Facebook about two months before his death on 12 February. He reported hearing anti-gay rhetoric from individuals around him and leaving church meetings to cry in his car.^[87]
• Lincoln Parkin (2016) — Parkin was a 22-year-old man who grew up in Pleasant View, Utah and received an award in 2012 for reestablishing the gay-straight alliance at Weber High School after having a gay friend die by suicide.^[88] He attended Westminster College and had attempted suicide before having experienced significant depression for a decade but died by suicide on 6 April.^{[89] [90]}
• Braxton Taylor (2016) — On September 23, 19-year-old Taylor, a student of Weber State University, died by suicide.^[91] His story gained media attention when an LDS political candidate^[92] criticized his suicide and sexual orientation as a sin of murder and homosexuality,^{[93] [94]} a statement which received national criticism.^{[95] [96]}
• Stockton Powers (2016) — After a suicide attempt in 2012, 17-year-old Stockton died from suicide in 2016. He reported in 2015 that many church members had stopped talking to him after he came out and excluded him from events, with some mothers in his congregation stating they would not allow their sons to go to Scout camp if Stockton went.^{[97] [98] [99]}

Latter-day Saint LGBT suicide attempts and ideation

Suicide attempts and ideation have been experienced by many LGBT Latter-day Saints. In a 2015 survey of 92 LGBTQ BYU students done by USGA, 52% had at some point considered self-harm. Below is a list of a at one time LDS-affiliated LGBTQ individuals who reported serious suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.

• Alex Cooper — Lesbian Latter-day Saint teen. Cooper was subjected to physically and emotionally abusive conversion therapy techniques under her Latter-day Saint parents' orders beginning in 2010 in an attempt to change her sexual orientation. She reported attempting suicide.^{[100] [101]}
• Davyd Daniels — Daniels reported in 1986 that he had attempted suicide at the age of 12 due to the guilt caused by church teachings on his gay feelings.^[102]
• Clay Essig — Essig reported writing a note while at the brink of suicide after years of trying to change his attractions through therapy originally prescribed to him by his BYU bishop.^[103]
• Levi Jackman Foster — Foster is a queer artist/ photographer^{[104] [105]} and activist^[106] raised as a Latter-day Saint in Alaska. He reported that, he feared rejection when he came out to himself at 15, was sent by his parents at age 16 to a conversion therapy program (Evergreen International) in Utah, had suicidal thoughts and ran away cutting ties with his family till 18.^[107]
• Tyler Glenn — Neon Trees lead singer Glenn stated that he was trying to reconcile his sexual orientation and belief in the LDS Church when the 5 November 2015 policy change was leaked leading to a feeling that church was a "toxic space" for him generating feelings of suicide.^[108]
• Laurie Lee Hall – Former stake president and church architect Laurie Lee Hall was excommunicated by her Utah local leaders in June 2017 for socially transitioning to express her gender identity as a transgender woman. She had experienced years of suicidal ideation and gender dysphoria before being released as a stake president in 2012 due to her identity and had come out to her entire congregation a year prior to her excommunication in July 2016.^{[109] [110]}
• Judd Hardy – The teenage son of bishop David Eccles attempted suicide in early 1999 after coming out to family in 1995 and going through reparative therapy in an attempt to change his sexual attraction as church pamphlets said was possible. His suicide attempt happened right after a church meeting lesson on Sodom and Gomorrah. Hardy stated that it, "wasn't [done] out of despair as much as it was [done] almost out of duty. ... The church wanted me to change, and ... I couldn't change .... It was a quick resolution before doing the damage of falling into a life of sin. I believed too strongly in the church and the church's values, and I placed those above my own life." Hardy's parents would later become activists openly criticizing the LDS Church's teachings on gay people.^[111]
• Brenna McGrath — Bisexual BYU student Brenna McGrath stated in 2017 that she was attempting to overdose herself on medication after feeling isolated, and that church was a "toxic environment" for her.
• McLean — Latter-day Saint composer Michael McLean stated that his gay son (whose first name was not stated) was suicidal during the church's California campaign to ban same-sex marriage.^[112]
• Alison Kluzek — Kluzek reported that she was suicidal during a time after coming out to her religious parents as a trans woman while they initially refused her request to begin transitioning by hormone therapy. She felt that they would either have a dead son or a new daughter.^[113]
• David Malstrom — David attempted suicide on 1 May 1985 after trying to change his attractions by hyper diligence in church activities. After praying for hours and reading Kimball's Miracle of Forgiveness he decided he must end his life. He barely survived the attempt and spent five days unconscious in intensive care.
• Jordan Montgomery — In the 2013 short documentary Families are Forever, teenage Montgomery discussed his suicidal ideation as well as the attempts of a Latter-day Saint therapist to change his sexual orientation.^{[114] [115]}
• Russ Baker-Gorringe — One of the Evergreen International's first board members, and a stake presidency member Russ Baker-Gorringe became severely depressed when his continued efforts to change his attractions failed, resulting in a 1999 suicide jump at Glacier National Park only prevented by his daughter.^{[39] [40]}
• Alex Shafer — Shafer reported sliding into a suicidal depression after enter a mixed-orientation marriage at the end of his university studies. He had participated in Evergreen, seen several therapists, and prayed to become straight, but felt like a failure when his romantic attraction to other men did not change.^[116]
• Drew Stelter — Drew stated that interviews as a young man in the 2000s with his bishop in which attempts were made to "cast out" his attractions were torturous, shaming, blaming, and punishing and they resulted in immense self-loathing and suicidality.^[117]
• Craig Watts — In the 1999 PBS documentary Friends and Family: A Community Divided, Watts, then a young man, reported that he cried multiple times and thought of suicide again after coming out to local church leaders in Japan where he was studying and being excommunicated from the church.^[118]
• John Gustav-Wrathall — John is president of Affirmation as of 2019. As a young man after reading the promises in Kimball's The Miracle of Forgiveness John believed if he served a faithful mission that his same-sex attractions would go away and he could marry a woman and have children. He felt shattering disappointment when the promised changes did not materialize and by the end of his junior year at BYU he was ready to end his life. He stated that the book had "contributed very directly to my suicidality."

External links

• Mental Health at lds.org
• Preventing Suicide at lds.org

Notes and References

1. Web site: Building Bridges: LGBT Populations: A Dialogue on Advancing Opportunities for Recovery from Addictions and Mental Health Problems. 1–3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2013.
2. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy . Peggy Fletcher Stack. Program aims to stop suicide, homelessness in LGBT Mormon youth. 29 November 2016. The Salt Lake Tribune. 15 March 2014.
3. News: Christensen . Jen . 2023-06-28 . Transgender people face significantly higher suicide risk, Danish study finds . . 2024-02-10. The study of more than 6.6 million people found that those who identified as trans had 7.7 times the rate of suicide attempts and 3.5 times the rate of suicide deaths than the broader Danish population..
4. Book: Meyer. Ilan H.. Northridge. Mary E.. Ilan H. . Mary E. . Meyer . Northridge . The Health of Sexual Minorities. limited. 2007. Springer Publishing. US. 978-0-387-31334-4. 242–247. 1. 10.1007/978-0-387-31334-4 . Internet Archive.
5. Knoll . Benjamin . Youth Suicide Rates and Mormon Religious Context: An Additional Empirical Analysis . . 42 . 2 . 2016.
6. 10.1093/aje/155.5.413. Suicide Rates and Religious Commitment in Young Adult Males in Utah. 2002. Hilton. Sterling C.. Fellingham. Gilbert W.. Lyon. Joseph L.. American Journal of Epidemiology. 155. 5. 413–419. 11867352. free.
7. News: Walch. Tad. Collins. Lois M.. LDS Church leaders mourn reported deaths in Mormon LGBT community. 29 November 2016. Deseret News. LDS Church. 28 January 2016.
8. Web site: Suicide Memorial . affirmation.org . . 29 November 2016 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20140117055228/http://www.affirmation.org/suicides/ . January 17, 2014 . Internet Archive.
9. Forum Discusses Suicide Prevention Among Mormons. Sunstone. December 2002. 125. 79.
10. Book: Corcoran. Brent. O'Donovan. Rocky . Connell O'Donovan. Multiply and Replenish: Mormon Essays on Sex and Family. 1994. Signature Books. Salt Lake City, Utah. 978-1560850502. 156. 29 November 2016.
11. McQueen . Robert . Outside the Temple Gates-The Gay Mormon . . 13 August 1975 . 14 . 29 November 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080719220413/http://affirmation.org/suicides/1965.shtml . July 19, 2008 . Affirmation.
12. Joyner. Kara. Russell. Stephen T.. Adolescent Sexual Orientation and Suicide Risk: Evidence From a National Study. American Journal of Public Health. August 2001. 91. 8. 1276–81. 11499118. 1446760. 10.2105/ajph.91.8.1276.
13. News: Teen suicide is soaring. Do spotty mental health and addiction treatment share blame?. USA Today. 19 Mar 2018. O'Donnell. Jayne. Saker. Anne.
14. Book: Annor, Francis . Undetermined Risk Factors for Suicide among Youth Aged 10-17 years–Utah, 2017 . Wilkinson . Amanda . Zwald . Marissa . 2017 . Utah Department of Health.
15. Galliher. Renee. Bradshaw. William. Dehlin . John. Crowelle. Katherine. Psychosocial Correlates of Religious Approaches to Same-Sex Attraction: A Mormon Perspective. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health. 301,304. 25 April 2014. 18. 3. 10.1080/19359705.2014.912970 . 144153586 . The major findings from the study are that non-biologically based views regarding the etiology of SSA [same-sex attraction], remaining active in the LDS Church, remaining single, and engaging in mixed-orientation marriages were all associated with higher reported levels of internalized homophobia, sexual identity distress, and depression, and lower levels of self-esteem and quality of life. ... This study does affirm and extend the existing literature by suggesting that psychosocially based beliefs about SSA etiology active participation in non-LGBT-affirming churches, being single and celibate, and mixed-orientation marriage—all of which are common beliefs and/or practices within modern, active LDS culture—are associated with poorer psychosocial health, well-being, and quality of life for LGBT Mormons. Conversely, biological beliefs about SSA etiology, complete disaffiliation from the LDS Church, legal same-sex marriage, and sexual activity are all associated with higher levels of psychosocial health, well-being, and quality of life for LGBT Mormons..
16. Minkoff. Kenneth. Bergman. Eric. Beck. Aaron. Beck. Roy. Hopelessness, Depression, and Attempted Suicide. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 1 April 2006. 130. 4. 455–9. 10.1176/ajp.130.4.455. 4691303. 29924410 . We also found a significant positive correlation between depression and [suicidal] intent in the total sample, especially in the depressed group. The latter results replicates the findings of Silver and his co-workers (10) in a similar study [DOI:10.1001/archpsyc.1971.01750180093015]; 90 percent of their sample consisted of depressed patients and they also found a significant positive correlation between depression and intent..
17. Simmons . Brian . Coming out Mormon: An examination of religious orientation, spiritual trauma, and PTSD among Mormon and ex-Morman LGBTQQA adults . . Master of Social Work . December 2017 . 99 . Therefore, data from this study would indicate that LDS teachings and beliefs are often experienced as spiritually damaging to LGBTQQA members and former members. Similarly, the study respondents presented as having substantial PTSD symptomology related to their experiences within Mormonism, with approximately three-quarters (73.4%, n=204) likely meeting criteria for associated PTSD diagnosis during their lifetime. This prevalence is far above the 8% estimated for the U.S. population..
18. Simmons . Brian . Coming out Mormon: An examination of religious orientation, spiritual trauma, and PTSD among Mormon and ex-Morman LGBTQQA adults . . Master of Social Work . December 2017 . Abstract. The majority of [the 278 survey] participants (85.6%) were raised in an LDS family and half (51.8%) indicated they still attend LDS services at least monthly. On average, participants identified 13.8 religious beliefs, teachings, or experiences as 'damaging' or 'extremely damaging.' A majority of participants (89.2%) likely met criteria for PTSD diagnosis related to their religious experiences. ... Overall, the findings of this study indicate LGBTQQA Mormon and ex-Mormon adults experience a substantial amount of spiritual trauma and PTSD related to their religious experiences..
19. Web site: It's Time for Us All to Do Something about Suicide—Together . affirmation.org . . 10 July 2018.
20. Krysinska . Karolina . Lester . David . Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Suicide Risk: A Systematic Review . . 27 January 2010 . 14 . 1 . 1–23 . 10.1080/13811110903478997 . 20112140 . 10827703 . A meta-analysis of 50 articles that examined the association between PTSD and past and current suicidal ideation and behavior was conducted. ... PTSD was associated with an increased incidence of prior attempted suicide and prior and current suicidal ideation. ... The evidence indicates that there is an association between PTSD and suicidality with several factors .....
21. Ford . Julian D. . Gómez . Jennifer M. . The Relationship of Psychological Trauma and Dissociative and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders to Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Suicidality: A Review . . 15 April 2015 . 16 . 3 . 232–271 . 10.1080/15299732.2015.989563 . 25758363 . 29007106 . Dissociative disorders and PTSD are consistently associated with increased NSSI [nonsuicidal self-injury] and SA/SI [suicidal ideation and suicide attempts]..
22. McGraw . James S. . Docherty . Meagan . Chinn . Jay R. . Mahoney . Annette . 2021-10-07 . Family, faith, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among LGBTQ youth in Utah. . . 10 . 2 . 257–268 . 10.1037/sgd0000517 . 241551156 . 2329-0390.
23. Dyer . W. Justin . Goodman . Michael A. . 2022 . Religious Affiliation's Association with Suicidality across Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities . . 13 . 10 . . Basel, Switzerland . 11. 10.3390/rel13100932 . free .
24. Campbell Bernards . Julia . 'This Whole Journey was Sacred': Latter-day Saint Parents' Process in Coming to Accept a Transgender Child . December 2022 . Doctor of Philosophy . . 15.
25. Edmonds-Allen. Marian. Suicides or Not, LDS Is Harming LGBT Youth. The Advocate. 15 January 2017. 2016-02-03.
26. News: Oakley. Blake. LDS LGBT Suicides On The Rise: Can the LDS Church do more?. 29 November 2016. UVU Review. Utah Valley University. 3 August 2016.
27. News: Greene. David. Mama Dragons Try To Prevent Suicides Among Mormon-LGBT Children. 29 November 2016. NPR. 7 July 2016.
28. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy . Peggy Fletcher Stack. Suicide fears, if not actual suicides, rise in wake of Mormon same-sex policy. 29 November 2016. The Salt Lake Tribune. 28 January 2016.
29. News: Dodson. Braley. LGBT BYU students fighting suicide while facing unique mental health challenges. 16 January 2017. Daily Herald. 11 November 2016.
30. Web site: Dr. Jeffery Jensen MD. health.usnews.com. . Internet Archive.
31. Jensen . Jeffrey R. . We See What We Believe: The Heterosexualization of Gay Men and Lesbians in the LDS Church . Sunstone Symposium . 1997 . Washington D.C. . . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001152549/https://www.lds-mormon.com/wswwb.shtml/. 1 October 2023. live . Internet Archive.
32. Jensen . Jeffrey R. . Homosexuality: A Psychiatrist's Response to LDS Social Services . Sunstone Symposium . 1996 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20060109013306/http://www.affirmation.org/learning/homosexuality_a_psychiatrists_response.asp . 9 January 2006. Affirmation.
33. Web site: American Psychiatric Association Rebukes Reparative Therapy. sciencesources.eurekalert.org. American Association for the Advancement of Science. 14 December 1998.
34. Fish . Jessica N. . Russell . Stephen T. . Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts are Unethical and Harmful . . Aug 2020 . 110 . 8 . 1113–1114 . 10.2105/AJPH.2020.305765 . 32639919 . 7349462 . With substantial evidence of serious harms associated with exposure to [sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE)] particularly for minors, 21 states (and multiple cities and counties) have passed bipartisan laws or regulations prohibiting SOGICE. ... Furthermore, compared with LGBTQ youths with no exposure, those exposed to SOGICE showed 1.76 times greater odds of seriously considering suicide, 2.23 times greater odds of having attempted suicide, and 2.54 times greater odds of multiple suicide attempts in the previous year..
35. Galliher. Renee. Bradshaw. William. Hyde. Daniel. Dehlin. John. Crowell. Katherine. Sexual orientation change efforts among current or former LDS church members. Journal of Counseling Psychology. April 2015. 62. 2. 95–105. 10.1037/cou0000011. 24635593. The LDS church ... has historically both condemned same-sex sexuality as sinful and explicitly encouraged its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) members to attempt sexual orientation change. While the LDS church has somewhat softened its stance toward LGBTQ individuals in recent years, it continues to communicate to its LGBTQ members that sexual orientation change is possible through various means including prayer, personal righteousness, faith in Jesus Christ, psychotherapy, group therapy, and group retreats..
36. Galliher. Renee. Bradshaw. William. Hyde. Daniel. Dehlin. John. Crowell. Katherine. Sexual orientation change efforts among current or former LDS church members. Journal of Counseling Psychology. April 2015. 62. 2. 95–105. 10.1037/cou0000011. 24635593.
37. Green . Amy . Price-Feeney . Myeshia . Dorison . Samuel . Pick . Casey . Self-Reported Conversion Efforts and Suicidality Among US LGBTQ Youths and Young Adults, 2018 . . Aug 2020 . 110 . 8 . 1221–1227 . 10.2105/AJPH.2020.305701 . 2552019 . 7349447 . 219911037 .
38. Book: Pearson . Carol Lynn . No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagons Around Our Gay Loved Ones . 2007 . Pivot Point Books . 9780963885241 . 37 . Google Books.
39. News: 16 September 2009 . Rosemary . Winters. . Words of love: 'I don't care that you're gay' .
40. Book: Potok, Mark. Quacks: 'Conversion Therapists,' the Anti-LGBT Right, and the Demonization of Homosexuality . Southern Poverty Law Center. May 25, 2016. 39.
41. Web site: Interview With Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman: "Same-Gender Attraction". Mormon Newsroom. LDS Church. April 2006. If a young man says, "Look, I really want these [homosexual] feelings to go away... I would do anything for these feelings to go away," is it legitimate to look at clinical therapy of some sort that would address those issues? Well, it may be appropriate for that person to seek therapy. Certainly the Church doesn't counsel against that kind of therapy. The Church rarely takes a position on which treatment techniques are appropriate.".
42. Web site: Prince. Gregory A.. Science vs. Dogma: Biology Challenges the LDS Paradigm of Homosexuality. thc.utah.edu. University of Utah Tanner Humanities Center . 27 September 2017. 4 December 2017. 28 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328232753/https://thc.utah.edu/lectures-programs/mcmurrin-lecture/PRINCE-MCMURRIN%20LECTURE-protected.pdf. dead . Internet Archive. Video of the presentation. Transcript also available here via Encircle.
43. Web site: Seeking Professional Help. mormonandgay.lds.org. LDS Church. 11 November 2016.
44. News: Christiansen . Barbara . Church teachings on suicide have changed through the years . . 20 Sep 2015.
45. Cannon . George . Editorial Thoughts . . 1 Jun 1893 . 28 . 11 . 352 . Internet Archive.
46. Book: Newquist . Jerreld L. . Gospel Truth; Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon: Vol. 1 . 1974 . . Salt Lake City . 30 . 9780877475194 .
47. Web site: Satterfield . Bruce K. . Teachings Concerning The Telestial Glory . byui.edu . BYU-Idaho. https://web.archive.org/web/20211011190254/https://emp.byui.edu/satterfieldb/PDF/Quotes/Telestial.pdf. 11 October 2021. live. Internet Archive.
48. Web site: Cannon . George Q. . The Journal of George Q. Cannon: June 1894 . churchhistorianspress.org . Church History Department of the LDS Church.
49. Ballard . Russell . Suicide: Some Things We Know, and Some We Do Not . . LDS Church.
50. News: Landmark 'Mormon Doctrine' goes out of print . 21 May 2010 . Fletcher Stack . Peggy . Peggy Fletcher Stack . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190709033654/https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=%2Fci_15137409 . 9 July 2019 . 17 October 2020 . Internet Archive.
51. Book: Prince, Gregory . Gregory Prince . Free Agency and Tolerance. Wm. Robert Wright. Wm. Robert Wright. . 2005 . . 0-87480-822-7 . 50–53 . https://books.google.com/books?id=3UBXLIkLEQwC&pg=PA53 . Google Books.
52. Book: Pugmire . Genelle . Doctrine vs. Culture: How the LDS Church's past policies have changed as it goes global . 30 Sep 2018 . . Provo, UT . 12 . Church doctrine vs. 'Mormon Doctrine': What's the difference?.
53. Book: Bush . Lester E. . Health and Medicine Among the Latter-day Saints Science, Sense, and Scripture . 1993 . Crossroad . New York City . 9780824512194 . 137 . limited. Google Books.
54. Book: McConkie, Bruce. Mormon Doctrine. . 1958. 1st. Salt Lake City, Ut.. 696. 9780884940623. Google Books.
55. Book: LDS Beliefs: A Doctrinal Reference . 2011 . . Salt Lake City . 9781609080594 . 607 . Google Books.
56. News: Curtis. Larry D.. LDS apostle speaks about church responsibility in Mormon LGBT suicides for first time. 29 November 2016. KUTV. CBS. 14 February 2016.
57. West. Camille. Church Adds New Mental Health Resources on LDS.org. 10 December 2016. . 21 June 2016.
58. News: Walch. Tad. LDS Church launches 'Preventing Suicide' website during National Suicide Prevention Week. 29 November 2016. Deseret News. LDS Church. 8 September 2016.
59. Web site: Jones . Morgan . LDS Church issues statement of support for LGBTQ concert event . 16 August 2017 . . 19 August 2017.
60. Web site: Williams. Carter. Herbert signs 8 bills for suicide prevention in Utah . 25 April 2018 . . . . 11 July 2018.
61. Web site: Ormond . Jordan . LDS Church donates 25K to LGBT advocacy group in effort to prevent suicide . 11 July 2018 . . . . 11 July 2018.
62. News: Davis Man Found Dead in Vehicle. . Ogden, Utah . 10 March 1976. 11A. Carlyle D. Marsden was found in his car along Nichols Road dead from a pistol wound of the chest..
63. News: Weist. Larry. Homosexual Suspects Arrested in Utah County. https://web.archive.org/web/20171207042839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11800445/byu_lgbt_raid_1/. Daily Herald. 16 March 1976. Newspapers.com. 7 December 2017. Eight men were arraigned in the Pleasant Grove Precinct Justice Court Monday afternoon on charges of lewdness and sodomy stemming from alleged homosexual activity at the two rest stops on I-15 north of Orem. ... Two of the suspects were arrested and charged with an act of sodomy. One of them, a 54-year-old Salt Lake County man, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest two days after his arrest, according to Serge Moore, state medical examiner.. 1 .
64. News: Weist. Larry. Homosexual Suspects Arrested in Utah County. https://web.archive.org/web/20171207042515/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15621258/carlyle_d_marsden_suicide/. Daily Herald. 16 March 1976 . 7 December 2017. Funeral services for Carlyle D. Marsden, 54, of 1388 Nichols Road, Fruit Heights, who died Monday, March 8, 1976, will be Friday at 10 a.m. in the Kaysville 11th-14th LDS Ward Chapel ... Mr. Marsden was a music teacher at Eisenhower Junior High School and at Brigham Young University.. 4 . Newspapers.com.
65. Web site: Carlyle D. Marsden (1921-1976). https://web.archive.org/web/20130408200025/http://www.affirmation.org/suicides/carlyle_marsden.shtml . 29 December 2011. . 8 April 2013 . dead. Internet Archive.
66. News: Warchol. Glen. Prevalence of AIDS Cited Among Mormons. 21 May 2017. Cumberland Evening Times. Cumberland, Maryland . 30 June 1986. . NewspaperArchive. 12.
67. News: Self. Alisha. Bread and Blue. . Park City, Utah. . 22 May 2010. University of Utah. 28.
68. News: Samuels. Diana. Memorial held for gay Mormon who committed suicide in Los Altos. 29 November 2016. The Mercury News. 25 February 2010.
69. News: Moore. Carrie A.. Alone in the fold: Many LDS gays struggle to cling to faith despite their yearnings. 29 November 2016. Deseret News. LDS Church.
70. Proposition 22 Dominates Wards' Attention, Divides Members. . April 2001. 118. 90. 1 December 2016.
71. Web site: Henry Stuart Matis . affirmation.org . . 1 December 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131204110526/http://affirmation.org/suicides/stuart_matis.shtml . December 4, 2013. Internet Archive.
72. Miller. Mark. To Be Gay - And Mormon. 29 November 2016. Newsweek. 7 May 2000.
73. News: Olsen. Jessica. Timeline. 9 February 2017. The Daily Universe. BYU. 20 January 2017.
74. News: Matis. Stuart. Letter to the editor: Don't stereotype gay people. 29 November 2016. The Daily Universe. BYU. 21 February 2000.
75. News: Nickerson. James. Embrace All Types of People. 1 December 2016. . BYU. 16 Feb 2000.
76. Proposition 22 Dominates Wards' Attention, Divides Members. Sunstone. April 2001. 118. 90, 92. 1 December 2016.
77. Book: Matis. Fred. Matis. Marilyn. Mansfield. Ty. In Quiet Desperation. 2004. . Salt Lake City, Utah. 978-1590383315. 3 December 2016.
78. Book: Besen. Wayne. Anything but Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth. 3 October 2003. . 978-1560234463. Google Books.
79. Web site: Brian DJ Hyer Thompson . affirmation.org . 6 April 2009 . . 1 December 2016 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20131221094119/http://www.affirmation.org/suicides/dj_thompson.shtml . December 21, 2013 .
80. Web site: Thompson . DJ . DJ Thompson's Final Goodbye . affirmation.org . . 1 December 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130408190124/http://www.affirmation.org/suicide_info/dj_thompsons_final_goodbye.shtml . April 8, 2013 . Internet Archive.
81. Web site: Clay Douglass Whitmer . affirmation.org . 25 June 2009 . . 1 December 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131204081029/http://affirmation.org/suicides/clay_whitmer.shtml . December 4, 2013 . Internet Archive.
82. Brooks. Joanna. Suicide Leads to Calls for Improved Treatment of LGBTQ Mormons. Religion Dispatches. University of Southern California. 30 September 2011.
83. Ethington. Eric. Gay Mormon, excommunicated from his church, commits suicide. LGBTQ Nation. 22 September 2011.
84. Web site: Mountain, Green Utah. bestplaces.net. . 27 March 2017.
85. News: Henetz. Patty. Teen's suicide spurs community to face gay bullying in northern Utah. 27 March 2017. The Salt Lake Tribune. 1 May 2012.
86. News: Dobner. Jennifer. Gay teen's suicide in Utah highlights youth bullying risks. 27 March 2017. Reuters. 7 May 2012.
87. News: Jackson. Lauren. Devotion and despair: The lonely struggle of a gay Mormon. 29 November 2016. CNN. 19 July 2016.
88. News: Lindsay. Carol. Weber High senior honored for accepting all students. The Salt Lake Tribune. 7 June 2012. 10 December 2016.
89. News: Shaw. Mitch. After Utah LGBT advocate's suicide, community recalls his passion, kindness. 10 December 2016. . Ogden, Utah . 10 April 2016.
90. News: Gohl. Cody. 22-Year-Old Gay Mormon, Beloved Activist, Commits Suicide. 10 December 2016. Logo TV. NewNowNext . 12 April 2016.
91. News: Braxton David Taylor. . Ogden, Utah . 27 September 2016. 11 December 2016.
92. McKitrick. Kathy. Utah Senate candidate under fire for anti-gay Facebook comments. . Ogden, Utah . 30 September 2016. 11 December 2016.
93. News: Rolly. Paul. Utah County Senate candidate is representing God. What's new?. The Salt Lake Tribune. 8 Oct 2016. 11 December 2016.
94. News: Thanks to Jason Christensen, life just got harder for every LGBT youth in Utah. 11 December 2016 . . Ogden, Utah . 4 Oct 2016.
95. News: Salinger. Tobias. Utah candidate says gay teen who committed suicide guilty of 'the sins of homosexuality and the sins of murder'. New York Daily News. 30 September 2016. 11 December 2016.
96. Web site: Rodriguez. Matthew. Utah Senate candidate Jason Christensen calls alleged gay teen suicide a "murder". October 2016 . Mic. 11 December 2016.
97. Believer . . 25 June 2018 . 46:13.
98. News: Saberi . Roxana . Tom . Brittany . Mormon Mama Dragons make life easier for young LGBT people . . 30 June 2015.
99. Web site: I Choose Love: Standing for Stockton . University of Utah College of Nursing . 13 May 2018 . Stockton, now 16, said that since he has come out, many church members have stopped talking to him and excluded him from events. 'We have Scout camp annually, and some moms said, 'If he goes, I don't want my child to go, because what if he's going to do something?' ... It's hurtful,' he said. Deussen said this hurts her too. 'I break down when my son tells me why he can't have friends ... What's so wrong with him that they don't want to be his friend?' she said. 'I break down when he tells me his friends say, 'You can hang out with me, but if my parents find out you're gay, I can't hang out with you anymore.' '.
100. News: Burke. Paul C.. Tolman. Brett L.. Mackay. John W.. A gay-straight alliance may have saved this teen's life, and all Utah schools should have them. The Salt Lake Tribune. 2 December 2016. 3 December 2016.
101. News: Woodruff. Daniel. New book details LDS teen's 'humiliating' gay conversion therapy in Utah. 3 December 2016. KUTV. . 15 March 2016.
102. News: Lindsey. Robert. Utah Now Facing Problem of AIDS: Disease Is Occurring Despite Strict Mormon Teachings About Sexual Conduct. The New York Times. 30 October 1986. . A19. ... Davyd Daniels, a former Mormon who said that when he was 12 years old he tried to commit suicide because he could not deal with the conflicts between his homosexual urges and the guilt he said the church imposed on him because of its renunciation of homosexuality. 'You can't believe the guilt,' he said. 'We have people committing suicide all the time because they can't handle it,' said Ben Barr, assistant director of a group largely composed of homosexuals that organized 'AIDS Awareness Week.'.
103. News: Wright. John. Gay Mormons. 22 May 2017. The Herald Journal. Logan, Utah. Pioneer News Group. 23 July 2003.
104. Nasir. Omar. The Photographer Levi Jackman Foster Talks 'Follow'. Gayletter.
105. News: Ainley. Nathaniel. Levi Jackman Foster's 'State of the Union' photograph garnered over 12,000 Likes on social media.. Vice. 18 December 2016.
106. Web site: Range McDonald. Patrick. The Ex-Mormon Factor. LA Weekly. 12 November 2008.
107. News: Abrams. Sean. What It's Like Growing Up Gay And Mormon. Elite Daily. DMG Media. 15 February 2017. Levi feared immediate criticism and rejection from his family and friends the moment he'd concluded he was 'different.' ... 'When I first discovered I was gay at 15, there were a good six months that it was dark. I had suicidal thoughts, tried to pray the gay away.' ... 'I tried doing 'Evergreen,' which is a Latter-day Saints-sponsored conversion therapy clinic. I met with counselors, kind of like AA a little bit, but it doesn't work.'.
108. News: Azzopardi. Chris. Tyler Glenn Opens Up About Mormon-Provoked Suicide Struggle ('It Freaked Me Out'), Being 'Unapologetically' Gay & Lady Gaga's Validation . 30 March 2017. Between the Lines. 2440. Pride Source Media Group. 12 August 2016.
109. News: Stack. Peggy Fletcher. Peggy Fletcher Stack. After leading LDS congregations and designing Mormon temples, this Utah dad is building a new life—as a woman. 19 July 2017. The Salt Lake Tribune. 18 July 2017.
110. News: Pugmire. Genelle. Former LDS stake president, transgender woman to speak at Affirmation Conference. The Daily Herald. 21 September 2017.
111. Rosman . Katherine . Mormon Family Values . . 7 February 2002 . 12 August 2018 .
112. Armstrong. Jamie. Michael McLean Opens Up About His 9-Year Faith Crisis and How He Found His Testimony Again. LDS Living. 7 Nov 2016. 11 December 2016.
113. News: Brown. Jennifer. Alison's Story. The Denver Post. 25 September 2015. Their initial response to hormones was unequivocal: no way. ... Alison, meanwhile, became a recluse. It was the summer of long, solitary walks, of curling up in a ball, crying into her pillow. ... The pain was unbearable, and I just wanted it to end. I saw two endings to this.' In one of them, she did not survive. It came down to this question, ringing in Erik's head: 'Do you want a dead son who committed suicide, or do you want a new daughter?' ... It was a crisis of faith that left Alison open to feel and to discover her identity. Half a year before she considered that she was transgender, Alison began questioning her belief in the Mormon Church. ... Alison now says that 'being trans and being in the church is like being in an abusive relationship.'.
114. News: 'Families Are Forever': Trailer. 15 January 2017. ABC News. 17 June 2013.
115. Web site: Renna. Cathy. "Families are Forever" Shows the Journey of Devout Mormon Parents to Accept Young Gay Son. Family Acceptance Project. San Francisco State University. 15 January 2017.
116. McGowan. Kat. Living a Lie. Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, LLC. 2 January 2013. [H]is attraction to men was not fading. Shafer felt that he'd failed. "There's this sense that you're broken and you need to be fixed," he says. "That's what you internalize." He slid into depression. At times he even thought of suicide..
117. News: Jackson . Lauren . Why a former Mormon bishop was excommunicated for criticizing sexually explicit youth interviews . . 24 Sep 2018.
118. Web site: Friends and Neighbors: A Community Divided Script. https://web.archive.org/web/20010725225520/http://www.kued.org/friends/script/index.html. 25 July 2001. . Salt Lake City, Utah. PBS. While studying in Japan, and after confiding to his ecclesiastical leaders that he is gay, Craig Watts was called before a church court and excommunicated. Craig wrote in his journal at the time: "It's early Sunday morning. I can't sleep. I'm in tears again for the third or fourth time since yesterday afternoon. Some of the most painful, confused tears I've ever cried, and I'm alone. I feel so alone. I thought of suicide again for the first time in a long time. ... Each person I talked to gave me something I needed to overcome the shock, the humiliation, the bitterness, the discouragement, the loneliness. ... However, unlike so many of my gay friends, I don't have to worry about excommunication from my family.. 21 February 2020. live. Internet Archive.