Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints explained

All homosexual sexual activity is condemned as sinful by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in its law of chastity, and the church teaches that God does not approve of same-sex marriage.[1] [2] Adherents who participate in same-sex sexual behavior may face church discipline. Members of the church who experience homosexual attractions, including those who self-identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual remain in good standing in the church if they abstain from same-sex marriage and any homosexual sexual activity or sexual relationships outside an opposite-sex marriage.[3] However, all people, including those in same-sex relationships and marriages, are permitted to attend the weekly Sunday meetings.[4]

In order to receive church ordinances such as baptism, and to enter church temples, adherents are required to practice sexual abstinence outside a legal marriage between one man and one woman.[5] [6] Additionally, in the church's plan of salvation noncelibate gay and lesbian individuals will not be allowed in the top tier of heaven to receive exaltation unless they repent during mortality, and a heterosexual marriage is a requirement for exaltation.[7] [8] The church's policies and treatment of LGBT people has long been a source of controversy both within and outside the church.[9] [10] [11] They have also been a significant cause of disagreement and disaffection by members.[12] [13] [14]

The LDS Church has campaigned against government recognition of same-sex marriage, and the topic of same-sex marriage has been one of the church's foremost public concerns since 1993.[15] It has also supported legislation protecting members of the LGBT community against discrimination in employment, that also exempt religious institutions from honoring these protections.[16] Penalties from church leaders are stiffer for same-sex sexual sins than for heterosexual ones in matters of general church discipline, missionary requirements, and code of conduct enforcement at church-run universities.

The church's statements and actions throughout its history have overwhelmingly focused on male homosexuality, and only rarely on female homosexuality (lesbianism) or bisexuality.[15] Church leaders previously taught that homosexuality was a curable condition. They counseled members that they could and should change their attractions, and provided therapy and programs with that goal. From 1976 until 1989 the church handbook of policies called for church discipline for members attracted to the same sex, punishing merely being homosexual with sanctions similar to those for acts of adultery and child molestation.[15] Even celibate gay people were subject to excommunication. Church publications now state that "individuals do not choose to have such attractions", its church-run therapy services no longer provides sexual orientation change efforts, and the church has no official stance on the causes of homosexuality.[17] These current teachings and policies leave homosexual members with the option of potentially harmful attempts to change their sexual orientation,[18] entering a mixed-orientation opposite-sex marriage,[15] or living a celibate lifestyle without any sexual expression.[19] [20]

Overview

Summarized changes in teachings through the decades

Since the first recorded mentions of homosexuality by top church leaders, teachings and policies around the nature, etiology, mutability, and identity around same-sex romantic and physical attractions have seen many changes through the decades.[21] [22] Church rhetoric around homosexuality has softened over time.[23] [24] [25] For example, global church leaders (called general authorities) in the past unambiguously pronounced over 30 purported causes of homosexuality (e.g. addiction,[26] contagion, recruiting, domineering mother, selfishness) and denied biological explanation.[15] The church has since reversed many of its stances around homosexuality, including moving to a stance of neutrality on the origins of homosexuality, and acknowledging by implication that past leaders' encouragement of mixed-orientation marriages may have been erroneous.[15] A table summarizing some of the major shifts in official dialogue is shown below.

Summary of changes in teachings on homosexuality! Topic! Earlier teachings! Transitional teachings! Current teachings
InbornNo[27] [28] MaybeNo position[29]
CausesAddiction,[30] masturbation,[31] pornography,[32] family dysfunction,[33] [34] [35] smothering mother,[36] distant or weak father,[37] sexual abuse,[38] [39] selfishness, speaking about it, gender non-conforming dress or behavior[40] Biological and environmental factors[41] No position[42]
Identity and labelsWrong to use gay labels[43] [44] Identifying as gay is acceptable[45]
Sexual orientation change effortsElectroshock aversion therapy recommended,[46] reparative therapy encouraged,[47] curable disease,[48] [49] should be overcomeConversion therapy may be appropriate, denounces any abusive practices[50] Reparative therapy and other sexual orientation change efforts no longer practiced[51] [52]
Heterosexual dating and marriageAs a therapeutic step[53] [54] Not to be seen as a therapy or solution

Though the church's position of homosexual behavior as sinful has remained the same, the tone in rhetoric from top leaders has gone from confrontational condemnation to sympathetic concern for those "afflicted" with same-sex attraction. However, some researchers from the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion argue that this shift is ultimately just reproducing the same anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, but disguising it "in a kinder package" with a "gentler façade" to deflect criticism of overt homophobia, and that this rhetoric serves to strengthen institutional church power and the heterosexual subordination of LGBTQ people despite their growing societal acceptance. In reference to the harsh rhetoric on homosexuality of the past, the apostle D. Todd Christofferson stated in 2015, "I think we can express things better." The same year the apostle Dallin H. Oaks spoke on the topic saying, "I know that the history of the church is not to seek apologies or to give them. We sometimes look back on issues and say, 'Maybe that was counterproductive for what we wish to achieve,' but we look forward and not backward."[55]

Previous teachings that have changed include the belief that homosexual attractions themselves were a curable illness. In 1959, in response to a rash of arrests of gay men in Utah and Idaho, church president David O. McKay appointed the apostles Spencer W. Kimball and Mark E. Petersen to focus on "curing" gay members. That same year the church's largest school Brigham Young University (BYU) began its on-campus electroshock aversion therapy program attempting to eliminate or diminish homosexual attractions which lasted over three decades into the mid-1990s.[15] At the time, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) classified homosexuality as a mental illness in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and Kimball adamantly stated on multiple occasions that it could and should be cured.[56] [57] Kimball also taught that local church leaders could influence gay members by quoting scripture to them, appealing to their reason, encouraging them to abandon gay lovers and associates, praying with them, and encouraging them to replace any sexual expression of homosexual feelings with heterosexual dating.[57] In 1973 the APA removed homosexuality from the DSM,[58] and in 1990 the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of disorders in the International Classification of Diseases.[59] [60]

Later the church softened its stance on gay feelings, instead shifting to a focus on homosexuality as a behavior that should be overcome. This change was reflected in a 1992 guidebook update removing all previous references to homosexuality as a disease.[61] Top leaders also taught on several occasions from the 1970s to the early 2000s that homosexual feeling may stem from a confusion over one's gender identity or gender roles. Since then the church has acknowledged the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation.[62] [63] [64]

Some changes in teachings have seemed abrupt and contradictory as was the case in 1995 when a First Presidency leader affirmed in the church's Ensign magazine that the idea of an inborn homosexual orientation was a false belief with no scientific evidence, reasoning that if homosexuality were inborn it would frustrate God's plan.[65] In the next month's edition, however the apostle Oaks refuted those statements (though without referring to them directly) by asserting that inheritance may have a complex relationship with a person's homosexual orientation.[66] [67]

In canonized scripture

See also: The Bible and homosexuality.

The entire body of canonized LDS scriptures (i.e. the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine and Covenants) is silent on same-sex sexual activity, except for the Bible.[68] However, one man's heterosexual misconduct (coupled with forsaking a ministry) was described in the Book of Mormon as the "most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost." The church interprets certain Bible passages as forbidding same-sex erotic behavior.[69]

Proposed historical tolerance

LDS historian Greg Prince wrote that prior to 1968 there was no standardized church response to homosexual attractions and intercourse, and that the most frequent response for over a century had been "benign neglect".[15] Similarly, the LDS-raised historian D. Michael Quinn stated that early church leaders had a more tolerant view of homosexuality given that during the 19th century, the church (like American society as a whole) was relatively tolerant of same-sex intimate relationships. Quinn also stated that several prominent Utahns were not disciplined after stating they were living in romantic relationships with their same-sex domestic partners (though historic evidence often only hints at and does not prove sex between particular individuals).[70] For example Mormon Tabernacle Choir director Evan Stephens never married a woman but had intimate relationships and shared a bed with a series of male domestic partners and traveling companions.[71] These relationships were described with a euphemism in a church magazine.[72] Also notable was the relationship of Louise B. Felt and May Anderson, the church's first two general presidents of Primary, the church's organization for children. They lived together in the same bedroom for decades and were referred to by other top Primary leaders as the "David and Jonathan" of Primary. Quinn's interpretations of previous leaders' views and the nature of Evan Stephens' relationships, and that of Felt and Anderson were criticized as a distortion of history by BYU church apologists Rhett James and George Mitton.[73] Additionally, LDS-raised sociologist Kimball Young cited the early church's practice of sealing men to each other as evidence of latent same-sex romantic desires.[74]

Early instances

There were several known or alleged instances of members participating in same-sex sexual and romantic relationships in the 19th century and early 20th century. These include the young man George Naylor,[75] the actress Ada Russell, and the researcher Mildred Berryman.[76] [77] During the early days of the church, when same-sex sexual activity by a member was suspected, the accused was sometimes disfellowshipped or excommunicated, and from 1852 on, under the church-controlled Utah Territory legislature, any sex between males was punished by the courts.[78] Just over a decade after the church's founding the first known instance of church discipline for same-sex sexual activity occurred over the alleged acts between church leader John Bennett and Francis Higbee. Historian Valeen Avery has suggested that one of church founder Joseph Smith's sons, David Hyrum Smith (born in 1844, died in 1904), may have been gay.[79]

Patriarch Joseph Fielding Smith

See main article: Joseph Fielding Smith (presiding patriarch).

One of the more prominent instances of same-sex erotic activity by a Mormon man in the early 20th century was that of the presiding patriarch Joseph Fielding Smith. He served in the position only four years before being released by church president George Albert Smith, reportedly for reasons of "ill health."[80] However, there is evidence he had been involved in several gay affairs with at least three men.[81] [82]

Increasing attention from leadership

Though the terms "homosexuality" was in use in the United States (US) since 1892, the first instance of the term "homosexuality" in top church leader's public discourse was in a 1952 General Conference speech.[83] [84] [15] The first time homosexuality was explicitly discussed in the church's Handbook of Instructions was in the 1968 edition, over 130 years into the church's history.[15] Quinn has suggested that early LDS Church leaders had a more tolerant view of homosexuality, but leaders like then apostle Gordon B. Hinckley have stated that top leaders have always considered homosexual behavior a serious sin.[85] [86] It appears that by the 1940s church leaders developed a greater preoccupation with homosexual behavior, as by 1947 apostle Charles Callis was assigned to handle cases of church members suspected of or having confessed to same-sex sexual behavior.[87] Additionally, surveillance had been organized in 1945 to stop reported male-male sexual activity in the church's (now-demolished) Deseret Gymnasium steam room. Callis was succeeded in his appointment over homosexual cases by the apostle Spencer W. Kimball in 1947.[88] [89] Kimball began sharing this role with apostle Mark E. Petersen in 1959. Within eight years they had collectively counseled over one thousand individuals on the topic of homosexuality.[15] From 1969 through at least 2013, nearly every year saw at least a mention of homosexuality in top leaders' discourse in general conference and the church's main magazine. From the 1950s into the 1990s top leaders taught that homosexuality was a problem correlated with the destruction of American society. Additionally, from the 1970s into at least the present they taught it was related to the destruction of the family, and a contradiction of God-given gender norms.

Current beliefs and policies

, all homosexual or same-sex sexual activity is forbidden by the church in its law of chastity, and the church teaches that God does not approve of same-sex marriage.[1] [90] Adherents who participate in same-sex sexual behavior may face church discipline., penalties from church leaders are stiffer for same-sex transgressions than for heterosexual ones in general church discipline, missionary requirements, and honor code enforcement at church-owned universities. Members of the church who experience homosexual attractions, including those who self-identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual remain in good standing in the church if they abstain from same-sex marriage and all sexual relations outside an opposite-sex marriage.[15] [29] [3] All people, however, including those participating in same-sex activity and relationships, are permitted to attend weekly church worship services.[4] According to church teachings, after their deaths non-celibate gay and lesbian individuals will not be allowed in the top tier of heaven to receive unless they repent, and a heterosexual marriage is a requirement for exaltation.[7] [8] In the LDS Church's cosmology God the Father is a heterosexual man married to at least one Heavenly Mother, and reproduction for exalted beings is an important element of the afterlife.[91] The church teaches that homosexual behavior has always been a grievous sin, and it no longer holds a position on the origins of homosexuality.[15] [29] [67]

Baptismal requirements

In order to receive church ordinances such as baptism, and to participate in temple rites, adherents are required to abstain from same-sex relations or any sexual activity outside a legal marriage between one man and one woman.[5] [6] As of 2019, when baptismal candidates confess during a baptismal interview to having committed any "homosexual transgression", they require special clearance from a full-time mission president in order to be baptized.[92] [93] [94] Any past heterosexual activity, however, does not require special clearance from a higher leader (unless the person is still cohabiting with any sexual partner out of wedlock).[92]

Missionary service requirements

Currently, openly gay youth can serve a full-time proselyting mission for the church if they abstain from sexual activity.[15] Although, sex of any kind before a heterosexual marriage may permanently bar a person from serving as a church missionary,[95] any homosexual acts from the age of 15 and later almost always disqualifies a missionary candidate for service (even after years of subsequent celibacy) except "in rare cases".[96] [97]

Pro-LGBTQ teachings

In 1999 church president Gordon B. Hinckley publicly welcomed lesbian and gay people into LDS congregations,[98] [99] and in an interview affirmed them as "good people".[100] Church leaders have spoken out against "gay-bashing" and other physical or verbal assaults on those involved in homosexual relationships.[67] [101] [17] They have also encouraged members to befriend gay members.[67] The church website now implicitly acknowledges the biological causes of homosexuality.[15]

November 2015 policy change

In November 2015, the church updated its policies regarding those in legal same-sex unions, stating that such couples are apostates from the church.[102] [11] These policies also barred such couples' children—either adopted or biological—from being baptized, confirmed, ordained, or participating in mission service until reaching adulthood or obtaining parental consent and permission from the First Presidency.[15] [103] Prior to this, local leadership had more discretion on whether or how far to pursue church disciplinary action against members in same-sex marriages. The policy was controversial and received national criticism.[15]

The reversal

In April 2019, the church reversed its policy on couples in same-sex marriages, no longer automatically treating same-sex marriage as apostasy for church discipline. Additionally, children of same-sex couples would now be allowed to receive blessings from a priesthood holder in good standing, and be baptized without First Presidency approval. However, it still considered same-sex marriage to be a "serious transgression," and may discipline church members involved in any same-sex sexual activity.[104]

Terminology used by the church

Church leaders now teach that it's acceptable to identify as gay. Previously, church leaders stated that the terms "homosexual", "lesbian", and "gay" should only be used as adjectives to describe feelings or behaviors, and not to describe people.[15] [29] Church leaders have referred homosexuality as a sexual orientation.[29] Since the 1990s through at least 2015 church leaders have tended to use the term "same-gender attraction" (SGA) instead of "homosexuality" in official publications.[105] Many members have reflected that language in their self-identifications, with its use being interpreted as an in-group signalling of adherence to LDS sexual mores.[105]

Homosexuality after death

On several occasions between 2006 and 2009 multiple top leaders stated that attractions to those of the same sex won't exist after death, saying "it must be true"[106] [107] that "gay or lesbian inclinations" will "not exist post-mortality",[108] and only occur "right now in mortality."[109] [29] The 2007 church publication "God Loveth His Children" stated that, "others may not be free of this challenge [of same-gender attraction] in this life" but that "our bodies, feelings, and desires will be perfected in the next life so that every one of God’s children may find joy in a family."[21] [110] The 2012 church website MormonsAndGays.org also stated that "a person’s attraction to the same sex can be addressed and borne as a mortal test. It should not be viewed as a permanent condition. ... some people ... may not have the opportunity to marry a person of the opposite sex in this life, a just God will provide them with ample opportunity to do so in the next."[111] [112] Additionally, in the church's plan of salvation noncelibate gay and lesbian individuals will not be allowed in the top tier of heaven to receive what's called exaltation to become like God unless they repent, and a heterosexual marriage is a requirement.[7] [8]

Leader and member actions towards LGBT individuals

The church has occasionally addressed the treatment and views of LGBT+ members. Church leaders have given discretion to local leaders on whether to hold church courts for suspected homosexual members, with options ranging from acquittal to excommunication.[15] In 2000 the apostle Packer addressed part of a speech to gay and lesbian youth stating church leaders don't reject, but rather love them, and show their love by teaching and disciplining them.[113] [114] Additionally, the 2007 church pamphlet "God Loveth His Children" stated that some gay members had felt rejection by other members, and criticized members who did not show them love. The document asked gay members to show love and kindness to help other church members become less rejecting.[115] From 1976 until 1989 under president Kimball the church handbook called for church discipline for members attracted to the same sex equating merely being homosexual with the seriousness of acts of adultery and child molestation—even celibate gay people were subject to excommunication.[15] [116] Kimball's numerous publications discussing "curing" homosexuality and condemning same-sex attractions (even without action), and his rise to the church presidency in 1973 set the stage for years of harsh treatment of gay church members.[15]

LGBT experiences

There are many current and former members of the church who are attracted to people of the same sex, and they have had a range of positive and negative experiences with their own spiritual lives in the church and with leaders and other members.[117] For example, one member who dated other men reported never having problems with his local leaders. Another instance was a Church employee who described in a 2011 article how his stake president denied his temple recommend (resulting in him getting fired from his job) simply because of his friendship with other gay men and his involvement in a charity bingo for Utah Pride.[118] One former LDS bishop and temple ordinance officiator Antonio A. Feliz said that his Peruvian mission was directed in the early 1960s[119] by South American area authorities to not teach known homosexuals.[120] Several church employees have been fired,[121] [122] [123] or pressured to leave for being gay (despite their celibacy),[124] [125] or for expressing support of LGBT rights.[126] [127] Research has found many nonheterosexual members have significant difficulty reconciling their sexual and religious identities.[128]

Polls on member views

Numerous surveys have been conducted to gauge LDS member views on LGBT topics. In a 2007 US poll, only one-fourth (24%) of members agreed that "homosexuality is a way of life that should be accepted" (less than any other major religious group in the survey except for Jehovah's Witnesses), and two-thirds (68%) of LDS adherents said it should be discouraged.[129] In a similar poll seven years later there were small changes with one-third (36%) saying homosexuality should be accepted, and about half (57%) stating it should be discouraged.[130]

A 2017 poll found that 40% of LDS members supported same-sex marriage while a slim majority (53%) were opposed. In the same poll two-thirds (69%) of adherents supported laws that protect LGBT Americans against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. However, half (53%) of church members said small private business should be able to deny products and services to gay or lesbian people for religious reasons.

Older surveys from the 20th century include a 1977 Utah poll in which three-fourths of LDS-identified responders opposed equal rights for gay teachers or ministers and 62% favored discrimination against gay people in business and government (versus two-thirds and 38% respectively of non-LDS responders).[131] [15] [132] The same poll found that members ranked homosexuality as after only murder and adultery in degree of sinfulness, and two years later a 1980 poll found that members ranked homosexuality as the number one most serious sin.[68] At BYU a 1997 poll found that 1/3 of male students would avoid befriending a gay student and 42% of all students believed that even celibate, honor-code-following gay members should be banned from attending the university.[133]

Views on gender diversity and identity

See main article: Gender minorities and the LDS church.

Expressions and identities for sexuality and gender are "separate, but related" aspects of a person and stem from similar biological origins.[134] [135] The church has acknowledged differences between gender identity and sexual orientation stating that leaders have "unfinished business in teaching on [transgender situations]."[63] [64] [136] Gender identity and gender roles play an important part in Latter-Day Saint teachings which assert a strict binary of spiritual gender for spirit bodies. Leaders say every person's spirit body is a literal offspring of Heavenly Parents.[15] [137] [138] According to current church policy, transgender and other gender diverse members who have undergone an “elective transsexual operation” are banned from temple rites or receiving priesthood authority. Additionally, a transgender baptismal candidate who had already undergone gender-confirming surgery can only be baptized with First Presidency approval, and a person currently considering such a surgery is barred from baptism.[139] [136] As of 2020 members who even non-surgically gender transition will receive membership restrictions, particularly with respect to priesthood and temple ordinances.[140] [141] [142]

LGBT Mormon people and organizations

See main article: LGBT Mormon people and organizations.

Statistics

Though there are no official numbers for how many members of the LDS Church identify their romantic orientation as gay, bisexual, or lesbian, Large surveys as recent as 2020 at the predominantly LDS BYU have found over 13% of students had marked their sexual orientation as something other than “strictly heterosexual”. A 1972 study showed that between 10 and 13 percent of college-aged LDS men reported past experimentation with male-male sexual activity, which was similar to the percentage of non-LDS men.[143] Another poll of BYU students in 1997 found that 10% had a gay family member and 69% knew someone attracted to those of the same sex.[144] Gary Watts, former president of Family Fellowship, estimated in 2007 that only 10 percent of gay members stayed active in the church.[145]

LGBT LDS people

Prominent LGBT or same-sex attracted church members include the apostle Christofferson's brother Tom, and therapist Ty Mansfield. Prominent LGBT former members include writer Dustin Lance Black, singer Tyler Glenn, historian D. Michael Quinn, gay rights activist Leonard Matlovich, and attorney Kate Kendell.

LGBT LDS organizations

Organizations that have supported members and former members attracted to those of the same sex include Affirmation, North Star, Mormons Building Bridges, Mama Dragons, Evergreen International, USGA. Previous break-off LDS-based churches for LGBT people included the United Order Family of Christ in the 70s and the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ in the 80s.

Depiction in pop culture and media

See also: Latter Day Saints in popular culture.

LGBT Mormon characters and themes have been featured in many films, plays, and pieces of literature, with some examples listed below:

Criticism and controversies

See main article: Criticism of the LDS church and DezNat.

The church's policies and treatment of LGBT people has long been a source of controversy both inside and outside the church[10] [163] and a significant cause of disagreement and disaffection by members.[164] [165] [13]

Among members

A 2011 online survey of over 3,000 individuals who no longer believe church truth claims found that around ten percent would consider returning if (among several changes) LGBT persons were accepted and treated equally.[166] Past leaders' teachings on reparative therapy and the origins of homosexuality have also been criticized.[167] [168] DezNat has been criticized for promoting homophobia and harassment against the LGBT community, reflecting a broader pattern of bigotry within the movement.

Among the public

The controversial policies for LGBT persons has made an impression on the general public. A 2003 nationwide Pew Research Center survey of over 1,000 LGBT Americans found that 83% of them said the LDS Church was "generally unfriendly towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people" surpassed only by "the Muslim religion" at 84%.[163] Additionally, in May 2008 a Georgia Tech gay-rights manual referred to the LDS Church as "anti-gay." After two students sued the school for discrimination, a judge ordered that the material be removed.[169]

Packer's address

One general conference address later distributed as a pamphlet that generated controversy was Packer's "To Young Men Only" which condones an example of a male missionary who punched his missionary companion for making romantic advances with Packer stating, "Well, thanks. Somebody had to do it".[170] [171] Historians Michael Quinn and Connell O'Donovan have argued these comments "essentially advocated anti-Gay violence", and that the church itself endorsed such behavior by continuing to publish Packer's speech in pamphlet form.[172] Former bishop David Hardy also condemned the pamphlet and other publications as promoting violence against gay people, and providing harmful misinformation to his gay son.[173] In 1995, Oaks said, "Our doctrines obviously condemn those who engage in so-called 'gay bashing'—physical or verbal attacks on persons thought to be involved in homosexual or lesbian behavior".[67] In 2016, the church ceased publishing the pamphlet, and removed it from the church website.[174]

Protests

The policies and treatment of LGBTQ individuals have prompted several protests and mass resignations including the following:

Sexual orientation change efforts

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

Because of its ban against same-sex sexual activity and same-sex marriage the LDS Church has a long history of teaching that its adherents who are attracted to the same sex can and should attempt to alter their feelings through righteous striving and sexual orientation change efforts (also called conversion therapy or reparative therapy).[141] These current teachings and policies leave homosexual members with the option of potentially harmful attempts to change their sexual orientation, entering a mixed-orientation opposite-sex marriage (MOM), or living a celibate lifestyle without any sexual expression (including masturbation).[18] [19] [20]

Self-help

In the 60s and 70s Church leaders taught that homosexuality was a curable disease and they encouraged self-help attempts by homosexual members to change their sexual orientation and cultivate heterosexual feelings.[183] While the LDS Church has somewhat softened its stance toward LGBTQ individuals in recent years, leaders continued to communicate into 2015 that changing one's sexual orientation was possible through personal righteousness, prayer, faith in Christ, psychotherapy, and group therapy and retreats.

BYU aversion therapy program

To assist in members' efforts for sexual orientation change, church leaders developed an aversion therapy program on BYU campus for gay adolescents and adults in 1959 since simply being attracted to people of the same sex was an excommunicable sin under church president Kimball. The on-campus aversion therapy program lasted into the mid-1990s.[15]

Therapist-led conversion therapy efforts

Teachings later changed as it became clear these self-help and aversive techniques were not working. From the 80s to the 2000s reparative therapy (also called conversion therapy) became the dominant treatment method, and it was often recommended by the church-endorsed group Evergreen. Member attitudes reflected church leaders'. For example, in a 2010 survey of 625 Utah residents, 55% of LDS-identified respondents believed sexual orientation could be changed,[184] and 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.[185]

Decline

Counselor-led sexual orientation change efforts were declining among members around 2015 as church teachings evolved.[186] Leaders had explicitly stated in the 2012 "MormonsAndGays" website that same-sex sexual attractions were not a choice, and affirmed in the 2016 "MormonAndGay" update that therapy focusing on a change in sexual orientation was unethical (the approach church leaders had used for decades).[187] [188] The 2016 update, however still offered qualified statements that reparative therapy should be an option, and promised that orientation change could occur.[187] The implicit endorsement of conversion therapy was overturned in 2019.[189] [190]

Mixed-orientation marriage

Many gay and lesbian members of the LDS Church have felt that they should marry someone of the opposite sex because of the LDS Church's emphasis on marriage. According to LDS historian Greg Prince, for decades church leaders counseled many men to marry a woman with the promise this would "cure" their homosexuality, and the overall track record of these mixed-orientation marriages (MOMs) has "generally been dismal, often catastrophic, and sometimes lethal" despite the best intentions.[15] The church's 2012 website acknowledged by implication that past leaders' advice for individuals attracted to the same-sex to marry someone of the opposite sex may have been erroneous.[15] Leaders have said that homosexual attractions will not continue past death,[29] and that those who don't have an opportunity to be married in this life will in the afterlife.[191] [67]

Prevalence

Evergreen director David Pruden was quoted as stating in 2002 that 40% of the approximately 150 callers requesting help each month on their hotline were Mormon men married to women, and distressed about their homosexual attractions. Additionally, a 2004 publication quoted Family Services statistics which showed that about half of the approximately 400 gay Mormon men they had seen as clients for over a year during the past 30 years were married, though only half of those were able to stay married.[192]

The church teaches that heterosexual marriage is one of several requirements for afterlife entry into the "highest degree of glory" in the celestial kingdom. Church leaders previously encouraged this, with one former church employee stating in 1986 that he had experienced pressure to marry at the age of 24 in the belief that it would change his homosexual feelings, later resulting in a divorce.[193] Artist Trevor Southey stated that he was counseled by the church to marry a woman in an attempt to reorient his sexuality, and the marriage ultimately failed.[15]

No longer recommended

The first high-ranking LDS leaders to publicly speak out against mixed-orientation marriages was Gordon Hinckley in 1987 when he stated that "marriage should not be viewed as a therapeutic step to solve problems such as homosexual inclinations or practices ...."[15] Church publications now warn local congregation leaders that encouraging members to attempt to cultivate heterosexual feelings generally leads to frustration and discouragement.[61] Previously, the church had taught that it was possible to overcome same-sex feelings,[194] and that heterosexual feelings can emerge once an individual ceases any same-sex sexual activity, making a heterosexual marriage possible.[61]

Oaks stated in 2007 that marriages should not be entered under false pretenses,[29] but also stated a heterosexual marriage would be appropriate for a man attracted to men who had "shown their ability to deal with these feelings or inclinations and put them in the background, and feel a great attraction for a daughter of God".[29] The most recent statement by a general church leader as of 2015 was when the apostle Oaks stated that leaders no longer recommend marriage as a solution for same-gender feelings. Another recent mention is in the church website on homosexuality which features a gay man married to a straight woman.[195]

Research on views and outcomes

Several surveys have been done on the topic of LGBT Mormons and opposite-sex marriages. A 1997 study by members of the BYU Family Studies Department found that of over 200 single LDS women of diverse ages polled, 33% would be willing to seriously date and consider marriage with a hypothetical LDS college grad who had been sexually active with other men 3 years ago.[196] A 2015 study found that 51% of the 1,612 LGBT Mormon respondents who had entered a mixed-orientation marriage ended up divorcing,[197] [198] and projected that 69% of all these marriages would ultimately end in divorce.[199] [200] [201] The study also found that engaging in mixed-orientation marriages and involvement in the LDS Church were correlated with higher rates of depression and a lower quality of life for LGBT people. In 2007 during a panel held in a church headquarters building, several gay LDS members reported that they were able to maintain their heterosexual marriage.[202]

Political involvement around LGBT rights

See main article: LGBT rights and the LDS Church.

See also: LDS Church and politics in the United States.

The LDS Church has been involved with many pieces of legislation relating to LGBT discrimination and same-sex marriage.

Motivations

Church leaders have stated that it will become involved in political matters if it perceives that there is a moral issue at stake and wields considerable influence on a national level.[203] [204] [205] In 1997 then church president Gordon Hinckley declared the church would "do all it can to stop the recognition of same-sex marriage in the United States", and the apostle M. Russell Ballard has said the church is "locked in" if anything interferes with the principle of marriage only being between a man and a woman.[15] [206]

Same-sex marriage

Church involvement around same-sex marriage legislation include playing important roles in defeating same-sex marriage legalization in Hawaii (Amendment 2), Alaska (Measure 2), Nebraska (Initiative 416), Nevada (Question 2), California (Prop 22), and Utah (Amendment 3).[15] During Prop 8 church members represented as much as 80 to 90 percent of the early volunteers petitioning voters door-to-door and 50 percent of the campaign funds in support of it.[207] Church leaders are prohibited from employing their authority to perform same-sex marriages, and church property cannot be used for same-sex weddings or receptions.[15] A 2017 Public Religion Research Institute survey found that over half (52%) of Mormon young adults (18–29) supported same-sex marriage while less than a third (32%) of Mormon seniors (65+) did the same.

Employment, housing, businesses

The church opposes same-sex marriage, but does not object to rights regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the family or the constitutional rights of churches and their adherents to administer and practice their religion free from government interference.[208]

A 2017 Public Religion Research Institute survey found that over half (53%) of all Mormon adults believed small private business should be able to deny products and services to gay or lesbian people for religious reasons (compared to 33% of the 40,000+ American adults surveyed), and 24% of all Mormon adults oppose laws that protect LGBT Americans against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.[209] [210]

LGBT Mormon suicides and homelessness

See main article: LGBT Mormon suicides.

Suicides

In society at large LGBT individuals especially youth are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide[211] [212] due to minority stress stemming from societal anti-LGBT biases and stigma, rejection, and internalized homophobia.[213] Some individuals and organizations have linked church teachings against homosexuality and the treatment of LGBT Mormons by other members and leaders as contributing to LGBT Mormon suicides.[214] [215] [216] 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.[15]

LGBT Mormon suicides and experiences with suicidal ideation have received media coverage.[217] [218] [219] In January 2016 the LDS Church mourned over reported suicides of LGBT Mormons and 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."[220] The Affirmation website reported over 30 LGBT Mormon victims died by suicide between 1971 and 2008[221] [222] including five gay male BYU students who all died by suicide in 1965.[15] [223]

Homelessness

In 2013 it was estimated that among the approximately 1000 homeless Utah youths, 30% to 40% were LGBTQ with about half of those coming from LDS homes[224] [225] Another survey showed about 5,000 youth in Utah experience homelessness per year with 60% coming from LDS homes, and over 40% of unhoused Utah youth were LGBT.[212] The Youth Futures Homeless Shelter in the predominantly-LDS city of Ogden, Utah reported in 2015 that over half their often homeless youth clients self-identified as gay or trans.[226] A survey by the Utah Department of Human Services found 48% of gay, lesbian and bisexual teenagers in the state seriously considered suicide in 2021.[227] In the large 2012 survey "Growing Up LGBT in America" over two-thirds of LGBT youth in Utah reported not feeling accepted in their community, compared to 42% of LGBT youth nationwide, and 3/4 said they would need to leave Utah to feel accepted.[228]

LGBT students and BYU

See main article: BYU LGBT history.

See also: BYU USGA and Church Educational System Honor Code.

Brigham Young University (BYU) is the largest religious university in North America and is the flagship institution of the LDS Church's educational system. Several LGBT rights organizations have criticized BYU's Honor Code as it relates to LGBT students and The Princeton Review has regularly ranked BYU among the most LGBT-unfriendly schools in the United States. As of 2017 BYU campus offered no official LGBT-specific resources.[229] Large surveys of over 7,000 BYU students in 2020 and 2017 found that over 13% had marked their sexual orientation as something other than “strictly heterosexual,” while the other survey showed that .2% had reported their gender identity as transgender or something other than cisgender male or female.[230] [231]

University actions and policies

BYU has seen many changes in policies around its LGBT student population. In 1962 a ban on students known to have a homosexual orientation was enacted by Ernest Wilkinson, but softened a decade later by his successor Dallin H. Oaks to only ban "overt and active homosexuals."[232] [233] Under Oaks there was a system of surveillance and searches of student dorms in order to expel students suspected of any same-sex sexual activity.[234] [235] [236] These efforts included stakeouts by BYU security looking for license plates of BYU students at gay bars in Salt Lake City and fake contact advertisements placed in gay publications attempting to ensnare BYU students.[237] [238] In the late 1990s a reference to "homosexual conduct" was added to the BYU Honor Code,[239] and there was a ban on coming out for lesbian, gay, or bisexual students.[240] [241] [242] In 2007, BYU changed the honor code to read that stating one's sexual orientation was not an honor code issue.[243] In February 2020, BYU removed "homosexual behavior" from its Honor Code,[244] [245] [246] but a ban on same-sex romantic behavior such as dating, holding hands, and kissing remains in place as of 2023.[247] [248]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Same-Sex Marriage. LDS Church. February 27, 2023. July 2019.
  2. What is the Church's position on homosexuality? Is it OK to be friends with people who have homosexual feelings? . July 2012 . LDS Church . Salt Lake City, Utah . . February 28, 2023. The church opposes homosexual behavior ... Homosexual behavior is contrary to [our] purpose and violates God’s commandments. ... Neither the Lord nor His church can condone any behavior that violates His laws. Again, we condemn the immoral behavior, not the person..
  3. Hinckley . Gordon B. . Gordon B. Hinckley . What Are People Asking about Us? . . November 1998 . LDS Church. February 27, 2023.
  4. Web site: Worship with Us: What to Expect . mormon.org . LDS Church . July 2, 2014 . February 15, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190215155922/https://www.mormon.org/worship#what-to-expect . dead . Internet Archive.
  5. Simmons . Brian . Coming out Mormon: An examination of religious orientation, spiritual trauma, and PTSD among Mormon and ex-Mormon LGBTQQA adults . . University of Georgia Theses and Dissertations . December 2017 . PhD . 65 . [A] current temple recommend [allows one] to participate in temple ordinances. In order to hold a current temple recommend, a person must attest to their ecclesiastical leaders that they maintain faith in the LDS Church, and live according to the standards (including no sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage and abstaining from coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs).. Athens, Georgia.
  6. Web site: Temples . churchofjesuschrist.org . LDS Church . February 27, 2023. June 2019.
  7. News: Beaver . Michelle . Mormon church has a fractured history with gays . . . San Jose, California . March 11, 2011. There are three levels to the heaven in which Mormons believe, and to make it to the highest level, one must be married. Perhaps the most sacred church ordinance is the temple marriage, a "sealing" between a man and a woman that is believed to be eternal, according to Richley Crapo, a Utah State University professor. There is no place for homosexuality in Mormon marriages, and no place for noncelibate homosexuals in the top level of Mormon heaven, unless that person has repented accordingly in the afterlife.. January 16, 2023.
  8. News: Petrey . Taylor G. . My Husband's Not Gay: Homosexuality and the LDS Church . Taylor G. Petrey. Religion & Politics . John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics . . St. Louis, Missouri. February 4, 2015. In the Mormon cosmos, as presently understood, there is simply no room for same-sex relationships. For Mormons, the afterlife consists of heterosexual pairs of divinized men and women. Often church leaders have counseled Mormons who experience same-sex attraction that their unwelcome feelings will disappear in the afterlife. ... [T]he very structure of heaven can only accommodate opposite-sex marriages.. February 27, 2023.
  9. Browning . Bill . December 21, 2021 . Utah billionaire leaves Mormon church with blistering accusation it is actively harming the world . live . . San Francisco, California . https://web.archive.org/web/20211221140543/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/utah-billionaire-leaves-mormon-church-blistering-accusation-actively-harming-world/ . December 21, 2021 . February 27, 2023.
  10. News: Winters. Rosemary. Mormon apostle's words about gays spark protest. November 16, 2016. The Salt Lake Tribune. February 23, 2023. Salt Lake City, Utah .
  11. News: Bailey. Sarah Pulliam. Mormon Church to exclude children of same-sex couples from getting blessed and baptized until they are 18. February 27, 2023. registration. Internet Archive. January 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230117070257/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/11/05/mormon-church-to-exclude-children-of-same-sex-couples-from-getting-blessed-and-baptized-until-they-are-18/. live. The Washington Post. November 11, 2016.
  12. Web site: Murphy. Caryle. Most U.S. Christian groups grow more accepting of homosexuality. pewresearch.org. December 18, 2015 . Pew Research Center. February 27, 2023.
  13. News: Levin. Sam. 'I'm not a Mormon': fresh 'mass resignation' over anti-LGBT beliefs. The Guardian. August 15, 2016. February 27, 2023.
  14. News: Hatch. Heidi. Millennial Mormons leaving faith at higher rate than previous generations. KUTV. CBS. April 13, 2016. Salt Lake City, Utah. February 27, 2023.
  15. Book: Prince, Gregory A. . Gregory Prince. Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences . 2019 . . Salt Lake City, Utah . 9781607816638 .
  16. News: Goodstein. Laurie. Utah Passes Antidiscrimination Bill Backed by Mormon Leaders. The New York Times. New York City. March 12, 2015. February 27, 2023. limited. February 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230225231723/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/12/us/politics/utah-passes-antidiscrimination-bill-backed-by-mormon-leaders.html?partner=socialflow&smid=tw-nytimes&_r=3. Internet Archive. live.
  17. Web site: Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction . mormonsandgays.org. LDS Church. dead . December 6, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121206183714/http://www.mormonsandgays.org/. December 6, 2012.
  18. Fish . Jessica N. . Russell . Stephen T. . Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts are Unethical and Harmful . . August 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..
  19. Book: Phillips, Rick. Conservative Christian Identity & Same-Sex Orientation: The Case of Gay Mormons. 2005. Peter Lang Publishing. Frankfurt, Germany. 978-0820474809. Academia.edu. February 27, 2023. April 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406235709/https://www.academia.edu/9832128. dead.
  20. Cook. Bryce. What Do We Know of God's Will for His LGBT Children? An Examination of the LDS Church's Current Position on Homosexuality. . Summer 2017. 50. 2. 10.5406/dialjmormthou.50.2.0001. 190443414. free. February 27, 2023.
  21. Book: Vance. Laura. Women in New Religions. New York University Press. New York City. 978-1479816026. February 27, 2023. 2015-03-13. limited. Google Books.
  22. News: Harrison. Mette Ivie. Mormons and Gays: Where Are We Now?. February 27, 2023. Huffington Post. New York City. March 18, 2016.
  23. Book: Schow. Ron. Schow. Wayne. Raynes. Marybeth. Peculiar People: Mormons and Same-Sex Orientation. June 1991. Signature Books. Salt Lake City, Utah. 978-1-56085-046-5. xxiv–xxvii. February 27, 2023. Internet Archive. registration.
  24. Book: Young. Neil J.. Out of Obscurity: Mormonism Since 1945. July 1, 2016. Oxford University Press. 978-0199358229. February 27, 2023. Google Books. limited.
  25. News: Mormon stance on gays softening. February 27, 2023. Richmond Times-Dispatch. October 9, 2013. subscription. February 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208225019/https://richmond.com/news/mormon-stance-on-gays-softening/article_0ba3ef35-4728-5041-b727-01b8388c1169.html. live. Internet Archive.
  26. News: 1981-04-06 . Mormon Church Elder Calls Homosexuality an Addiction . en-US . A12 . . .
  27. Book: Understanding and Changing Homosexual Orientation Problems. 1981. 4. LDS Church. Because man does have moral free agency it is inconsistent to believe that a person's homosexual orientation is inborn or locked in, and there is no real hope of change..
  28. Book: Homosexuality. 1981. LDS Church. Salt Lake City, Utah. 2. It is inconceivable that—as some involved in homosexual behavior claim—[the Lord] would permit his children to be born with desires and inclinations which would require behavior contrary to his plan.. February 27, 2023. limited. Also quoted in Newsweek here.
  29. Interview With Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman: 'Same-Gender Attraction'. LDS Church. September 2006. February 27, 2023. See also The Salt Lake Tribune's archived transcript here.
  30. Rector. Hartman Jr.. Hartman Rector Jr.. April 1981 . Turning the Hearts . 6:47 . Salt Lake City, Utah . LDS Church . [T]o be homosexual ... I am sure is an acquired addiction, just as drugs, alcohol and pornography are.. Video also available at churchofjesuschrist.org
  31. Kimball. Spencer W.. Spencer W. Kimball. President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality. 1980. Sometimes masturbation is the introduction to the more serious ... sin of homosexuality.. Ensign. LDS Church. February 27, 2023.
  32. Brown. Victor L.. Victor L. Brown. Improvement Era. Wanted: Parents With Courage. June 1970. LDS Church. Salt Lake City, Utah. Internet Archive. A normal 12- or 13-year-old boy or girl exposed to pornographic literature could develop into a homosexual.. 46. February 27, 2023. Also linked here.
  33. LDS General Conference. Benson. Ezra Taft. Ezra Taft Benson. Fundamentals of Enduring Family Relationships. October 1982. LDS Church. [S]exual promiscuity, homosexuality, drug abuse, alcoholism, vandalism, pornography, and violence. These grave problems are symptoms of failure in the home ..... February 27, 2023.
  34. LDS General Conference. April 1978. Kimball. Spencer W.. Spencer W. Kimball. Listen to the Prophets. LDS Church. February 27, 2023. Once the carnal in man is no longer checked by the restraints of family life and by real religion, there comes an avalanche of appetites ... whether it is an increase in homosexuality, corruption, drugs, or abortion..
  35. Brown Jr.. Victor. Two Views of Sexuality. LDS Church. Parents need to know that lack of proper affection in the home can result in unnatural behavior in their children such as homosexuality ..... Ensign. July 1975. February 27, 2023.
  36. Book: Understanding and Changing Homosexual Orientation Problems. 6–7. 1981. LDS Church. If the father is rejecting or uninvolved, or if the mother becomes 'smothering' in an attempt to fill the void left by a weak father, the child can become ... a prime candidate for homosexual (homoerotic) thoughts, feelings, and behaviors..
  37. LDS General Conference. April 1977. Clarke. J. Richard. J. Richard Clarke. Ministering to Needs through LDS Social Services. LDS Church. Homosexuality would not occur where there is a normal, loving father-and-son relationship.. February 27, 2023.
  38. Book: Brown Jr.. Victor L.. Bergin. Allen E.. Allen Bergin. Homosexuality: Welfare Services Packet 1. 1973. LDS Church. Homosexual behavior begins in various ways. Some young children are molested by strangers, acquaintances, or even relatives. ...However, not all who are molested become homosexual.. Internet Archive. 4–5.
  39. Byrd. A. Dean. A. Dean Byrd. When a Loved One Struggles with Same-Sex Attraction. LDS Church. Ensign. September 1999. Homosexuality results from an interaction of social, biological, and psychological factors. These factors may include ... sexual abuse ..... February 27, 2023.
  40. April 1971. LDS General Conference. Brown. Victor L.. Victor L. Brown. The Meaning of Morality. LDS Church. The Lord ... did not intend either of the sexes to adopt the other’s traits ... men should look and act like men and that women should look and act like women. When these differences are ignored ... [it] can lead to ... homosexuality.. February 27, 2023.
  41. Bergin. Allen. Allen Bergin. Questions and Answers. Liahona. LDS Church. October 1988. For example, though a person may suffer from homosexual inclinations that are caused by some combination of biology and environment ..... February 27, 2023.
  42. Web site: Same-Sex Attraction . LDS Church . We may not know precisely why some people feel attracted to others of the same sex, but for some it is a complex reality and part of the human experience.. February 27, 2023.
  43. Book: Understanding and Helping Those Who Have Homosexual Problems. 3. 1992. LDS Church. November 3, 2016. Be careful not to label the person as 'homosexual' or 'gay'. Such labels can undermine the person's believe that change is possible .....
  44. News: Mayne. Mitch. How Mormonism Is Creating an Increasingly Toxic Environment for Its LGBT Youth. Huffington Post. New York City. March 17, 2016. There are no homosexual members of the church. We are not defined by sexual attraction. We are not defined by sexual behavior. We are sons and daughters of god and all of us have different challenges in the flesh.. February 27, 2023.
  45. Web site: Same-Sex Attraction . LDS Church . Identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or experiencing same-sex attraction is not a sin and does not prohibit one from participating in the church, holding callings, or attending the temple.. February 27, 2023. June 2019.
  46. Blattner. Robert L.. Counseling the Homosexual In A Church Setting. Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy. October 1, 1975. 1. 1. 9. February 27, 2023. What is the church's feeling about electric shock and other forms of behavior modification? ... Our experience so far has been that most people coming to us can be helped with it..
  47. Bingham. Ronald D.. Potts. Richard W.. Homosexuality: An LDS Perspective. Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy. April 1, 1993. 19. 1. 14. https://web.archive.org/web/20221104052042/http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?1&article=1344&context=irp. November 4, 2022. Brigham Young University. Most Church leaders seem to agree that professional counselors can play an important role in helping individuals experiencing problems with homosexuality. ... The church has supported efforts of the LDS Social Services and other consulting professionals to research the issues and to offer a reparative therapy approach which assumes that homosexual behavior can be changed.. February 27, 2023. live.
  48. Book: Kimball, Spencer W.. Spencer W. Kimball. A Counselling Problem in the Church. July 10, 1964. Brigham Young University. Provo, Utah. 13–14. Internet Archive. We know such a disease [homosexuality] is curable.. February 27, 2023.
  49. Book: Kimball, Spencer W.. Spencer W. Kimball. The Miracle of Forgiveness. Bookcraft. 978-0-88494-192-7. [Homosexuality] is curable and forgivable. ... Certainly it can be overcome .... [T]o those who say that this practice ... is incurable, I respond: 'How can you say the door cannot be opened until your knuckles are bloody ...? It can be done.' ... Some have ... convinced themselves that they ... have no desire toward the opposite sex. ... [L]et this individual repent of his perversion, force himself to return to normal pursuits and interests ... with the opposite sex, and this normal pattern [heterosexual dating] can become natural again.. 1969. Internet Archive. February 27, 2023. 1976. registration. 23rd print. 82,86.
  50. News: Woodruff. Daniel. New book details LDS teen's 'humiliating' gay conversion therapy in Utah. February 27, 2023. KUTV. Salt Lake City, Utah. CBS. March 15, 2016. The church denounces any therapy that subjects an individual to abusive practices..
  51. Web site: Seeking Professional Help. mormonandgay.lds.org. LDS Church. October 2016. [I]t is unethical to focus professional treatment on an assumption that a change in sexual orientation will or must occur..
  52. News: Jones. Morgan. The Weeds' story is one of many stories of LGBT Latter-day Saints that continue to be written. Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. LDS Church. February 7, 2018. Today, [LDS] Family Services says it offers the following: 'We assist individuals and families as they respond to same-sex attraction. Our therapists do not provide what is commonly referred to as 'reparative therapy' or 'sexual orientation change efforts'.'. February 27, 2023.
  53. Book: Understanding and Changing Homosexual Orientation Problems. 20, 25. 1981. LDS Church. Homosexual orientation problems ... are often a reflection of poor interpersonal relationships with ... peers. ... Discuss dating and dating practices. Give female interaction assignments. ...[S]peaking to a girl may be considered a task, as may inviting her to a movie. However, to actually meet her, escort her to the movie, escort her home, and say goodnight is an experience cycle ... designed to meet a predetermined goal.. limited. February 27, 2023. Brigham Young University.
  54. Book: Homosexuality. 1981. 6. LDS Church. Salt Lake City, Utah. Encourage the member to be in appropriate situations with members of the opposite sex, even if he has to force himself. ... Encourage him (if single) to begin dating and gradually increase its frequency.. limited. February 27, 2023.
  55. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. We all can be more civil on LGBT issues, Mormon leader says. February 23, 2023. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah . 30 January 2015.
  56. Kimball. Spencer W.. Spencer W. Kimball. January 5, 1965. BYU Speeches of the Year: Love vs. Lust. Transcript reprint with permission by the Mental Health Resource Foundation at mentalhealthlibrary.info. Note: References to homosexuality were removed in the reprinted version of the speech in the 1972 book compilation of Kimball's speeches "Faith Precedes the Miracle."
  57. Book: Kimball. Spencer W.. Spencer W. Kimball. Petersen. Mark. Mark E. Petersen. Hope for Transgressors. 1970. LDS Church. Internet Archive. February 27, 2023.
  58. Haldeman . Douglas C. . April 1994 . The practice and ethics of sexual orientation conversion therapy . . 62 . 2 . 221–227 . 10.1037/0022-006X.62.2.221. 8201058. .
  59. Cochran. Susan D.. Proposed declassification of disease categories related to sexual orientation in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11). Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2014. 92. 9. 672–9 . . 10.2471/BLT.14.135541. 25378758 . 4208576.
  60. News: Chhiber. Ashley. World Health Organization told to declassify sexual orientation as basis of mental disorders. PinkNews. July 3, 2014. February 27, 2023.
  61. Book: Understanding and Helping Those Who Have Homosexual Problems. 1992. LDS Church. November 3, 2016.
  62. Web site: Frequently Asked Questions. Mormon and Gay. LDS Church. October 2016. dead. December 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191225145241/https://mormonandgay.churchofjesuschrist.org/articles/frequently-asked-questions. Internet Archive. February 27, 2023.
  63. Trib Talk: LDS leaders Oaks, Christofferson will appear on Trib Talk to discuss religious freedom. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/UIJ6gL_xc-M . December 15, 2021 . live. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah . January 29, 2015. February 27, 2023. YouTube.
  64. News: Petrey. Taylor G.. Taylor G. Petrey. A Mormon Leader Signals New Openness on Transgender Issues. This Could Be Huge.. February 27, 2023. . February 13, 2015.
  65. Faust. James E.. James E. Faust. Serving the Lord and Resisting the Devil. Ensign. LDS Church. September 1995. February 27, 2023.
  66. Book: Quinn, D. Michael. D. Michael Quinn. The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power. January 15, 1997. Signature Books. Salt Lake City, Utah. 978-1560850601. First. February 27, 2023. limited. Google Books.
  67. Ensign. Oaks. Dallin H.. Dallin H. Oaks. Same-Gender Attraction. LDS Church. October 1995. February 27, 2023.
  68. Phillips. Richard. Prophets and Preference: Constructing and Maintaining a Homosexual Identity in the Mormon Church. Utah State University. January 1, 1993. Paper 2513. February 27, 2023. Master of Science.
  69. Book: Williams. Clyde J.. The Teachings of Harold B. Lee. 1996. Bookcraft. Salt Lake City, Utah. 978-1570084836. limited. February 27, 2022. Google Books.
  70. Betancourt . Roland . 2020-10-06 . The Overlooked Queer History of Medieval Christianity . . 2023-04-10.
  71. Quinn. D. Michael. D. Michael Quinn. Male-Male Intimacy among Nineteenth-century Mormons—a Case Study. . 28. 4. 105–28. Winter 1995. 10.2307/45226148 . 45226148 . 254394319 . February 27, 2023.
  72. October 1919. Evan Bach: A True Story for Little Folk, by a Pioneer. The Children's Friend. May Anderson. Primary Association. LDS Church. Salt Lake City, Utah. 18. 386. Google Books. February 27, 2023.
  73. James. Rhett S.. Rhett S. James. Mitton. George L.. 1998. A Response to D. Michael Quinn's Homosexual Distortion of Latter-day Saint History. Review of Books on the Book of Mormon. 10. 1. 141. Brigham Young University. February 27, 2023. 44794028.
  74. Williams. Ben. August 18, 2004. Same-Sex Temple Sealings: Did the Early LDS Church Embrace Homosexual Relationships?. Salt Lake Metro. 1. 9. 21. https://web.archive.org/web/20110928131756/http://qsaltlake.com/2004/9/feature.shtml. September 28, 2011. live. Issuu.com. Salt Lake City, Utah. February 27, 2023.
  75. Book: Stewart. Chuck. Proud Heritage: People, Issues, and Documents of the LGBT Experience. December 16, 2014. ABC-CLIO. 978-1610693981. Third. Google Books. limited. February 27, 2023.
  76. Book: McHugh. Kathleen A.. Johnson-Grau. Brenda. Sher. Mildred Berryman Papers. Ben Raphael. Making Invisible Histories Visible. 2014. University of California, Los Angeles Center for the Study of Women. Los Angeles. 9780615990842. 68. Internet Archive. February 27, 2023.
  77. Web site: Wood. Stacy. Cubé. Caroline. Mildred Berryman papers 1918-1990. University of California, Los Angeles. Online Archive of California.
  78. Book: Oakes. Amy. Diversionary War: Domestic Unrest and International Conflict. October 3, 2012. Stanford University Press. 978-0804782463. 125. First. Young created a Mormon theocracy in the Utah territory: his 'word was law in matters both religious and secular.' He established a separate legal system and oversaw the selection of representatives to the territorial legislature.. limited. February 27, 2023. Google Books.
  79. Book: Avery, Valeen Tippetts. Valeen Tippetts Avery. From Mission to Madness: Last Son of the Mormon Prophet. University of Illinois Press. 1998. Champaign, Illinois. David and Charley. 232–243. 978-0-252-02399-6. https://archive.org/details/frommissiontomad00aver_0/page/232. Internet Archive. registration. February 27, 2023.
  80. Patriarch to the Church: Released from Duties. Improvement Era. November 1946. 49. 11. 685, 708. LDS Church. Internet Archive. February 27, 2023.
  81. Web site: O'Donovan . Connell . Connell O'Donovan . Quinn . D. Michael. D. Michael Quinn . Chronology of Events on Patriarch Joseph Fielding Smith's Homosexuality . https://web.archive.org/web/20100122080551/http://www.affirmation.org/memorial/joseph_fielding_smith.shtml . January 22, 2010 . affirmation.org . . February 27, 2023. dead . mdy-all . Internet Archive.
  82. Book: Bates. Irene M.. Lost Legacy: The Mormon Office of Presiding Patriarch. 1996. University of Illinois Press. 10.5406/j.ctv80c9xm. Champaign, Illinois. 9780252071157. 10.5406/j.ctv80c9xm. 2003 Paperback. 195–196, 200. Internet Archive. February 27, 2023. registration.
  83. Clark. J. Reuben. J. Reuben Clark. Home and the Building of Home Life. Relief Society Magazine. October 2, 1952. 793–794 . Internet Archive. February 27, 2023. ... [T]he crimes for which Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed—we have coined a softer name for them than came from old; we now speak of homosexuality, which, it is tragic to say, is found among both sexes. ...Not without foundation is the contention of some that the homosexuals are today exercising great influence in shaping our art, literature, music, and drama..
  84. Book: Quinn, D. Michael. D. Michael Quinn. Same-Sex Dynamics among Nineteenth-Century Americans: A Mormon Example. 1996. limited. University of Illinois Press. 978-0252022050. Google Books. Champaign, Illinois.
  85. News: White . Michael . Mormon Links AIDS to 'Sexual Adventurism' . . April 5, 1987. February 27, 2023.
  86. Hinckley . Gordon B. . Gordon B. Hinckley . Reverence and Morality . Ensign. LDS Church . May 1987 . 45 . February 27, 2023.
  87. Mohrman. K.. Queering the LDS Archive. Radical History Review. May 2015. 2015 . 122. Academia.edu. 154. 10.1215/01636545-2849585 . February 27, 2023.
  88. Book: Kimball. Edward L.. Kimball. Edward L. Kimball. Andrew E.. Spencer W. Kimball: Twelfth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1977. 978-0884943303. Bookcraft. Salt Lake City, Utah. registration. Internet Archive. February 27, 2023.
  89. The birth of Mormon homophobia. Williams. Ben. September 1, 2011. February 27, 2023. QSaltLake. Salt Lake City, Utah.
  90. News: Lilly . Christiana . Gay? Mormon? 'Affirmation' Can Help . February 28, 2023 . . April 18, 2014.
  91. Sutton . Travis . 'According to their wills and pleasures': the sexual stereotyping of Mormon men in American film and television . May 2009 . Masters of Film . .
  92. Gedicks . Frederick Mark . Church Discipline and the Regulation of Membership in the Mormon Church . Ecclesiastical Law Journal . July 31, 2008 . 7 . 32 . 43 . 10.1017/S0956618X00004920 . Cambridge University Press. 143228475 . February 27, 2023.
  93. Book: Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service . LDS Church . 210 . March 2019 . February 27, 2023.
  94. Kimball . Edward L. . Edward L. Kimball. Confession in LDS Doctrine and Practice . . 1996 . 36 . 2 . 12 . Brigham Young University. February 27, 2023.
  95. News: Fletcher Stack . Peggy . Peggy Fletcher Stack. Unintended consequence of church's 'raising the bar' . . February 23, 2023. Salt Lake City, Utah .
  96. News: Fletcher Stack . Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack . 'Mormonism's Scarlet Letter'? It's a mark on their membership that follows some gay Latter-day Saints throughout their lives . . Salt Lake City, Utah . November 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201023158/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2018/11/30/mormonisms-scarlet/. February 1, 2023. live. Internet Archive.
  97. Book: Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops. 2010. LDS Church. Salt Lake City, Utah. https://web.archive.org/web/20171115192411/https://www.lds.org/manual/handbook-1-stake-presidents-and-bishops/missionary-service/missionary-service?lang=eng. November 15, 2017 . dead.
  98. News: Goecker . Liesl . A call for more 'Christlike' approach . . Salt Lake City, Utah . July 14, 2007. February 27, 2023.
  99. . LDS Church. Gordon B. . Hinckley . Gordon B. Hinckley. Why We Do Some of the Things We Do . November 1999 . Our hearts reach out to those who refer to themselves as gays and lesbians. We love and honor them as sons and daughters of God. They are welcome in the church.. February 27, 2023.
  100. News: Lattin . Don . Musings of the Main Mormon: Gordon B. Hinckley, 'president, prophet, seer and revelator' of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sits at the top of one of the world's fastest-growing religions . April 13, 1997 . San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco, California . mdy-all . February 27, 2023.
  101. Church Responds to HRC Petition: Statement on Same-Sex Attraction. February 27, 2023. October 12, 2010. LDS Church. Sexual activity should only occur between a man and a woman who are married. However, that should never be used as justification for unkindness.
  102. News: Neugebauer. Cimaron . LDS Church adds same-sex marriage to definition of apostasy. KUTV. CBS. November 5, 2015.
  103. News: Mormons Sharpen Stand Against Same-Sex Marriage. The New York Times. November 6, 2015. limited. live. Internet Archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20230228031514/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/07/us/mormons-gay-marriage.html?_r=0. February 28, 2023. New York City. February 27, 2023.
  104. News: LDS Church dumps its controversial LGBTQ policy, cites 'continuing revelation' from God. limited. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. en-US. February 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230207191317/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/04/04/lds-church-dumps-its/. February 7, 2023. live. Internet Archive.
  105. Brown . Loren B. . 2015 . What's in a Name? Examining the Creation and Use of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Labels . Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy . . 37 . 1 . 2023-04-10.
  106. Book: Coviello . Peter . Make Yourselves Gods: Mormons and the Unfinished Business of American Secularism . 2019 . . Chicago . 9780226474335 . 222 . Google Books. limited. February 27, 2023.
  107. Elder Bruce C. Hafen Speaks on Same-Sex Attraction. LDS Church. September 19, 2009. February 27, 2023. June 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190611194249/https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-bruce-c-hafen-speaks-on-same-sex-attraction. live.
  108. Web site: The Mormons: Jeffrey Holland Interview. PBS. March 4, 2006. February 27, 2023.
  109. Book: Givens. Terryl L.. Terryl Givens. Neilson. Reid L.. . [{{google books |plainurl=y |id=8-cYBQAAQBAJ}} The Columbia Sourcebook of Mormons in the United States]. 2014. Columbia University Press. 978-0231520607. February 27, 2023. Google Books. limited.
  110. News: Olsen. Jessica. Study shows LGBT BYU students at higher risk for depression, suicide. Mormons and LGBT: A 20-Year Timeline. The Daily Universe. Provo, Utah. Brigham Young University. 20 January 2017. February 27, 2023.
  111. Saletan . William . Queer Today, Gone Tomorrow: The Mormon case for gay marriage . . December 10, 2012. February 27, 2023.
  112. News: Peterson . Kristen . Struggling to Find Common Ground with the Mormon Church's 'New Compassion' for Gays . . . December 19, 2012. February 27, 2023.
  113. Smith. Gregory L.. Shattered Glass: The Traditions of Mormon Same-Sex Marriage Advocates Encounter Boyd K. Packer. Mormon Studies Review. Brigham Young University. 2011. 23. 1. 65–68, 70. February 27, 2023.
  114. Petrey. Taylor G.. Taylor G. Petrey. Toward a Post-Heterosexual Mormon Theology. . Winter 2011. 44. 4. 139–140. 10.5406/dialjmormthou.44.4.0106. 171451944. May 20, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160520014913/https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Dialogue_V44N04_110.pdf#page=34. live. February 27, 2023. Internet Archive. free.
  115. Book: God Loveth His Children. 2007. LDS Church. https://web.archive.org/web/20090419021432/http://www.lds.org/topics/pdf/GodLovethHisChildren_04824_000.pdf. April 19, 2009. Internet Archive. February 27, 2023. live.
  116. Schow. Ron. Homosexual Attractions and LDS Marriage Decisions. . Fall 2005. 38. 3. 133–143 . 10.2307/45227379 . 45227379 . 254393745 . June 18, 2017.
  117. Garbero . John . Familiarity with Homosexuality 'Changes Hearts': What Lay Members and Former Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Think about LGBP Issues . BYU Undergraduate Honors Theses . March 20, 2019 . 78 . Brigham Young University. Honors Undergraduate. February 28, 2023.
  118. Bracken. Seth. Living gay in the Mormon Church. April 14, 2011. QSaltLake. Salt Lake City, Utah. February 27, 2023.
  119. Book: Out of the Bishop's Closet: A Call to Heal Ourselves, Each Other, and Our World. registration. Internet Archive. Feliz. Antonio A.. Antonio A. Feliz. April 11, 2011. Alamo Square Press. 9780962475177. Second. 24. February 27, 2023.
  120. Book: Bouldrey. Brian. Wrestling with the Angel: Faith and Religion in the Lives of Gay Men. May 1, 1996. Riverhead Trade. 978-1573225458. 298. Reprint. Google Books. limited.
  121. News: Fruhwirth. Jesse. Man Fired from LDS Church For Refusing to Give Up Gay Friends. Salt Lake City Weekly. March 22, 2011. February 27, 2023.
  122. News: Shire. Emily. Mormon U. Forces Gays to Be Celibate. February 27, 2023. The Daily Beast. May 13, 2014.
  123. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. Openly gay BYU producer, filmmaker fired. February 23, 2023. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. November 19, 2011.
  124. Book: Waterman. Bryan. Kagel. Brian. The Lord's University: Freedom and Authority at BYU. 1998. Signature Books. Salt Lake City, Utah. 978-1-56085-117-2. limited. Google Books.
  125. Gay Professor Leaves University. Sunstone. Salt Lake City, Utah. December 1996. 74. February 27, 2023.
  126. News: Hollingshead. Todd. BYU fires teacher over op-ed stance. February 23, 2023. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. June 14, 2006.
  127. News: Schmidt. Samantha. Mormon university instructor fired after Facebook post supporting LGBT rights, she says. The Washington Post. July 19, 2017. February 27, 2023. registration. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203034330/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/07/19/mormon-university-instructor-fired-after-facebook-post-supporting-lgbt-rights-she-says/. December 3, 2022. Internet Archive. live.
  128. Cragun . Ryan T. . Williams . Emily . Sumerau . J. E. . From Sodomy to Sympathy: LDS Elites' Discursive Construction of Homosexuality Over Time . . September 2015 . 54 . 2 . 291–310 . 10.1111/jssr.12180 .
  129. Book: U.S.Religious Landscape Survey: Religious Beliefs and Practices: Diverse and Politically Relevant. June 2008. February 27, 2023. Pew Research Center. 92. Three-quarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses (76%), about six-in-ten Muslims (61%) and roughly two-thirds of Mormons (68%) and members of evangelical churches (64%) say homosexuality ought to be discouraged. .
  130. Web site: Views about homosexuality. Pew Research Center. 2014. February 27, 2023. Data also shown here.
  131. News: Bardsley . J. Roy . Area Residents Oppose Equal Rights for Gays . . Salt Lake City, Utah. October 9, 1977 . A1 . Newspapers.com. February 27, 2023.
  132. PhD of Philosophy. Winkler. Douglas A.. Lavender Sons of Zion: A History of Gay Men in Salt Lake City, 1950—1979. May 2008. University of Utah Department of History. Salt Lake City, Utah. Google Books. limited. February 27, 2023.
  133. News: Smart. Michael. BYU Student Poll: Ban Gay Students. . Salt Lake City, Utah. March 22, 1997. D2. As part of a project for their English class, Sam Clayton, Dale Franklin and Melanie Dinger conducted the school-approved survey to 420 students in randomly selected classes on campus. ... [Clayton] feels the results show a substantial amount of intolerance and prejudice among students towards same-sex oriented people. Clayton, who says he is gay, points to the 42 percent of students who are ignorant of or opposed to the school's policy. He also said that while 91 percent of those surveyed said they were familiar with the church's stance, only a third actually were.. . Newspapers.com. February 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220203202830/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94127520/byu-student-poll-ban-gay-students/. live. February 27, 2023.
  134. Web site: Resolution on Gender and Sexual Orientation Diversity in Children and Adolescents in Schools. American Psychological Association. February 27, 2023. August 2014.
  135. Bao. Ai-Min. Swaab. Dick F.. Sexual differentiation of the human brain: Relation to gender identity, sexual orientation and neuropsychiatric disorders. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology. April 2011. 32. 2. 214–226. 10.1016/j.yfrne.2011.02.007. 21334362. 8735185 .
  136. News: Levin. Sam. Transgender and Mormon: keeping the faith while asking the church to change. The Guardian. March 28, 2016. February 27, 2023.
  137. Book: The Family: A Proclamation to the World . 1995 . LDS Church . February 27, 2023.
  138. David A. . Bednar . David A. Bednar . Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan . . June 2006 . 83 . February 27, 2023.
  139. News: Allen. Samantha. Mormon Man Risks Excommunication By Sharing His Transition. The Daily Beast. March 15, 2016. February 27, 2023.
  140. News: Fletcher Stack . Peggy . Peggy Fletcher Stack. Noyce . David . LDS Church publishes new handbook with changes to discipline, transgender policy . . limited . February 21, 2020. March 2, 2023. January 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230123181605/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/02/19/lds-church-puts-new/. Internet Archive. live.
  141. News: Riess . Jana . New LDS handbook softens some stances on sexuality, doubles down on transgender members, but bet on more changes . . Jana Riess . February 20, 2020. limited. December 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221206125210/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/02/20/jana-riess-new-lds/. live. Internet Archive.
  142. Web site: Transgender: Understanding Yourself . June 2020 . LDS Church . 2 March 2023.
  143. Mormon Sex Standards on College Campuses, or Deal Us Out of the Sexual Revolution!. Wilford E.. Smith. . 10. 2. 76–81. Autumn 1976. 10.2307/45224574 . 45224574 . 42345681 . free. Duke University Press. University of Illinois Press. Champaign, Illinois. 11614391 . February 27, 2023.
  144. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. 42 Percent At BYU Want Gays Kept Out; Gays Unwelcome, Say Many at BYU. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. November 9, 1997. . B1,B5. Newspapers.com. In the first study, BYU student Samuel Clayton, with the help of several faculty members, gave questionnaires anonymously to 420 students in randomly selected classes. ... Some of Clayton's findings include: 69 percent know someone who is same-sex oriented, 12 percent have a family member who is same-sex oriented, 24 percent would avoid befriending a same-sex-oriented student, 56 percent believe same-sex-oriented students should be allowed to attend BYU if they obey the honor code. Clayton said there was 'a significant gender gap ... Only 16 percent of women would avoid befriending a same-sex-oriented person, compared to 33 percent of men.. February 27, 2023.
  145. News: Mormon church changes stance on homosexuality. Paul. Burgarino. August 20, 2007. The Oakland Tribune. February 23, 2023.
  146. News: Levithan. David. Stein. Darren. David Levithan and filmmaker Darren Stein in conversation. The Guardian. May 16, 2014. The film skewers the ridiculousness of teen girls wanting a GBF (Gay Best Friend) like an accessory or trend, but it also skewers ethnicity, religion, clique culture. I wanted the scenes where the closeted Mormon Topher seduces Tanner and Brent to be sexy and provocative; I've never thought it was fair that it's fine to have a romantic or sexual male-female kiss but when it comes to two boys kissing, it's so chaste and unsexual.. February 27, 2023.
  147. News: Lynn. Logan. Testament of Love: An Interview With Filmmaker Jon Garcia. Huffington Post. New York City. October 4, 2013. 'The Falls' is the story of Chris Merrill and RJ Smith, two Mormon missionaries that fall in love on their mission.. February 27, 2023.
  148. Campbell Ferguson. Bennett. Jon Garcia's Trilogy About Gay Mormons in Portland is Complete. Willamette Week. January 10, 2017. Portland, Oregon. 'The Falls: Covenant of Grace' wraps up the Portland-filmed trilogy about two young Mormon men in love.. February 27, 2023.
  149. News: Sanders . Connor . 'Same-Sex Attracted,' a documentary about LGBTQ students at BYU, is screening online in Utah film festival . The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah . July 16, 2020. limited. Internet Archive. February 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230204040347/https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2020/07/14/same-sex-attracted/. live. February 27, 2023.
  150. News: 'Same-sex attracted' film . The Daily Universe. Provo, Utah. Brigham Young University. February 24, 2021 . limited. 6 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230606195522/https://universe.byu.edu/2021/02/23/same-sex-attracted-film/. live. Internet Archive.
  151. News: Neil. Genzlinger . Where Being in Denial Is Right at Home . . January 7, 2015 . February 27, 2023. limited. Internet Archive. November 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221106060101/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/arts/my-husbands-not-gay-a-special-set-in-mormon-utah-on-tlc.html. live. New York City.
  152. News: Means . Sean P. . 'Church & State' documentary tries to sort truth from myth in the story of how same-sex marriage became legal in Utah . . Salt Lake City, Utah. July 8, 2018. February 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230222004536/https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/movies/2018/07/06/church-amp-state/. live. limited.
  153. Haley . Brendan . Tonight's Room 104 Takes on Mormon Missionaries and Sexual Repression . The Advocate. Los Angeles . September 8, 2017. February 27, 2023.
  154. News: Dry . Jude . 'Room 104': Straight Guy Mark Duplass Wrote The Year's Sweetest Gay Love Story . . Penske Business Media, LLC.
  155. Book: Weber . Brenda R. . Latter-Day Screens : Gender, Sexuality, and Mediated Mormonism . 2019 . . Durham, NC . 9781478004264 . . February 27, 2023. OAPEN.org.
  156. Williams. Troy. Welcome to the Gayborhood. Salt Lake Magazine. April 19, 2012. The destinies of Mormons and gays were becoming intertwined in the national discourse, providing creative fodder for theatrical productions including the 2011 Tony Award winner 'The Book of Mormon' in which Elder McKinnley, echoing the teachings of Boyd K. Packer, would encourage other gay Mormons to 'Turn it off' like a light switch.. dead. March 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160301014032/http://saltlakemagazine.com/blog/welcome-to-the-gayborhood/. Internet Archive.
  157. Web site: Archive of '14'. University of Iowa. February 27, 2023.
  158. News: Clements. Derrick. 'Facing East' explores rift in LGBT, LDS community. Daily Herald. November 3, 2016. November 7, 2016. Internet Archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20161107073916/http://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/arts-and-theater/theater/facing-east-explores-rift-in-lgbt-lds-community/article_1abe9526-cc2a-55ab-ad4a-b9493e29343f.html. dead.
  159. News: Fagg. Ellen. Plays about gay Mormons attracting audiences nationally. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. March 15, 2008.
  160. New Play Focuses on Gay Mormon Suicide. QSaltLake. Salt Lake City, Utah. February 5, 2008. February 23, 2023.
  161. Book: Anderson. J. Seth. LGBT Salt Lake: Images of Modern America. May 29, 2017. Arcadia Publishing. 9781467125857. 20. limited. Google Books. February 27, 2023.
  162. News: Kotraba. Kellie. Gay Mormon characters step out of the shadows. Religion News Service. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. May 26, 2013. February 27, 2023.
  163. Web site: A Survey of LGBT Americans. June 13, 2013 . Pew Research Center. February 27, 2023.
  164. News: Riess. Jana. Jana Riess. Are Mormons in their 20s and 30s leaving the LDS Church?. Religion News Service. April 14, 2016. February 27, 2023.
  165. News: Moyer. Justin. 1,500 Mormons quit church over new anti-gay-marriage policy, organizer says. February 27, 2023. The Washington Post. November 16, 2015.
  166. Web site: Understanding Mormon Disbelief. whymormonsquestion.org. Open Stories Foundation. IssueLab.org. February 27, 2023.
  167. Jensen . Jeffrey R. . Homosexuality: A Psychiatrist's Response to LDS Social Services . Sunstone Symposium . 1996 . Sunstone. Salt Lake City, Utah . [F]ar too many of our lesbian and gay youths kill themselves because of what you say about them.... those who believe your false promises and remain celibate in the hopes of eventual 'cure' are consigned to a misery.. February 27, 2023. Transcript available here via Affirmation.
  168. 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. . . February 27, 2023. Transcript available here via Affirmation.
  169. Gay Pamphlet Sparks Religious Debate. Queerty. February 27, 2023. Belonsky. Andrew. May 2, 2008.
  170. Message to Young Men (To Young Men Only) . LDS Church . October 2, 1976 . 10:30. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200705122215/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/1976/10/media/2680671857001?lang=eng. July 5, 2020. Alternative YouTube.com link.
  171. Book: Packer, Boyd K. . Boyd K. Packer . To Young Men Only . 1976 . LDS Church . Internet Archive. February 27, 2023.
  172. Quinn. D. Michael. D. Michael Quinn. Prelude to the National 'Defense of Marriage' Campaign: Civil Discrimination Against Feared or Despised Minorities. . Fall 2000. 33. 3. 1–52 . 10.2307/45226709 . 45226709 . 254297822 . February 27, 2023.
  173. News: Hardy. David E.. BYU's Dismissal of Gay Students Continues Confusion for Gays, Parents. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. April 15, 2001. AA4. . Newspapers.com. limited.
  174. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. LDS Church 'retires' Mormon apostle's 'little factory' pamphlet. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. November 14, 2016. February 23, 2023.
  175. LDS Moms Hold Anti-Prop 8 Vigil . QSaltLake. Salt Lake City, Utah . November 3, 2008. February 27, 2023.
  176. News: Gay marriage supporters take to California streets. CNN. Atlanta, Georgia. November 8, 2008. February 27, 2023.
  177. News: Bates. Karen Grigsby. Gay-Marriage Ban Protesters Target Mormon Church. NPR. November 7, 2008. February 27, 2023.
  178. Eskridge Jr.. William N.. Latter-Day Constitutionalism: Sexuality, Gender, and Mormons. University of Illinois Law Review. September 2016. 4. 1269. February 27, 2023.
  179. The Advocate. Los Angeles. April 24, 2017. How Prop. 8 Woke Up a Sleeping Gay Giant. February 27, 2023. Frank. Nathaniel.
  180. News: Healy. Jack. Mormon Resignations Put Support for Gays Over Fealty to Faith. . February 27, 2023. November 15, 2016. limited. February 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230225231726/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/us/mormon-resignations-put-support-for-gays-over-fealty-to-faith.html. live. Internet Archive. New York City.
  181. News: Pratt . Morgan . 3,500 Leave LDS Church In Mass Resignation . February 27, 2023 . . November 16, 2015.
  182. News: Riess. Jana. Jana Riess. Commentary: Most U.S. Mormons approve of church's policy on gay couples, study shows. February 23, 2023. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. November 1, 2016.
  183. Prince. Gregory A.. Gregory Prince. Science vs. Dogma: Biology Challenges the LDS Paradigm of Homosexuality. Sterling M. McMurrin Lecture Series. University of Utah Tanner Humanities Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. September 27, 2017. February 27, 2023. March 28, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328232753/https://thc.utah.edu/lectures-programs/mcmurrin-lecture/PRINCE-MCMURRIN%20LECTURE-protected.pdf. dead. Video of the speech.
  184. News: Many Utahns Think Homosexuality Can Be Overcome. Park Record. Associated Press. Swift Communications. November 13, 2010. University of Utah. February 27, 2023. Park City, Utah.
  185. Galliher. Renee. Bradshaw. William. Hyde. Daniel. Dehlin. John P.. John Dehlin. 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 .
  186. News: Fletcher Stack . Peggy . Peggy Fletcher Stack. Conversion therapies don't work, experts say, so why do gay Mormons still seek them out? . . Salt Lake City, Utah. October 3, 2015 . limited. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201024744/https://www.sltrib.com/news/mormon/2015/10/03/conversion-therapies-dont-work-experts-say-so-why-do-gay-mormons-still-seek-them-out/. February 1, 2023. live. Internet Archive. Therapists with LDS Family Services do not offer any kind of 'sexual-orientation change efforts,' church spokesman Doug Andersen confirms. But they are willing to help members who 'desire to reconcile same-sex attraction with their religious belief.' The church 'maintains professional relationships with a variety of organizations to ensure the diverse needs of church members can be met in an individualized and ethical way ... and may refer those seeking counseling to professional therapists,' the spokesman says, 'but [it is] not in the business of recommending third-party for-profit organizations, retreats or workshops.' Neither does the Utah-based faith 'discourage individuals from trying to address issues arising from same-sex attraction.' The church's silence on groups such as Journey [Into Manhood], however, should not, Andersen says, be 'construed as a tacit endorsement or stamp of approval.' Without explicit condemnation from top LDS leaders, change programs have sprung up, tapping into a yearning for normalcy and acceptance..
  187. Book: Petrey . Taylor G. . Taylor G. Petrey. Tabernacles of Clay: Sexuality and Gender in Modern Mormonism . June 15, 2020 . . Chapel Hill, North Carolina . 978-1469656212 .
  188. Web site: Mormon and Gay. LDS Church. October 2016. While shifts in sexuality can and do occur for some people, it is unethical to focus professional treatment on an assumption that a change in sexual orientation will or must occur. Again, the individual has the right to define the desired outcome.. February 26, 2023. February 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230227075616/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/same-sex-attraction-church-leaders/should-i-recommend-professional-counseling?lang=eng. live. Internet Archive.
  189. Bradshaw . William S. . Dehlin . John P. . John Dehlin. Galliher . Renee V. . Sexual Complexity: A Comparison between Men and Women in a Sexual Minority Sample of Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . Religions . June 17, 2022 . 13 . 6 . 561 . 10.3390/rel13060561 . free .
  190. Law . Tara . Why the LDS Church Joined LGBTQ Advocates in Supporting Utah's Conversion Therapy Ban . Time . November 29, 2019. March 2, 2023.
  191. Book: Oaks, Dallin H.. Dallin H. Oaks. Pure in Heart. Salt Lake City, Utah. Bookcraft. 1988. 61–62. 978-0-88494-650-2. registration. Internet Archive.
  192. Web site: The Persistence of Same Sex Attraction in Latter-day Saints Who Undergo Counseling or Change Therapy. 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20111211020508/http://www.ldsresources.info/professionals/persistence.shtml. 11 Dec 2011. dead. Schow. Ron.
  193. News: Lindsey. Robert. Robert Lindsey (journalist). Utah Now Facing Problem of AIDS. The New York Times. New York City. October 30, 1986. February 26, 2023. . A19. 'A lot of men are forced to marry, and they play around on the side,' said Davyd Daniels, a former Mormon ... William Blevins, 40, a former librarian at the Mormon Church's genealogical center, said the church put pressure on him to marry at 24 in belief 'it would cure me' of homosexual leanings. It did not, he said, adding that 'I still had my feelings' and that after he fathered four children the church discharged him, then excommunicated him and forced him to disclose the identities of several other employees at the church's headquarters with whom he had had sexual relations..
  194. Book: Packer. Boyd K.. Boyd K. Packer. To The One. 1978. LDS Church. Internet Archive. February 26, 2023.
  195. Web site: Elizabeth's Story: Ricardo's Wife. LDS Church. October 2016. February 26, 2023.
  196. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. 42 Percent At BYU Want Gays Kept Out; Gays Unwelcome, Say Many at BYU. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. November 9, 1997. . Newspapers.com. B5. February 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204131913/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94131606/42-percent-at-byu-want-gays-kept-out/. live. limited. Respondents then were asked four questions: 1. Would they gracefully decline or accept the request to work with him for one year? 2. After one year, he is romantic and sexually attracted to you, but he still has same-sex attraction. He promises never to engage in any sex outside marriage. Would you accept or decline? 3. You continue your friendship and he works hard until you are convinced he has only a weak same-sex attraction. He is romantically and sexually attracted to you. Would you accept or decline? 4. Would your response change if he had never been sexually active?Researchers found that 33 percent answered yes to question 1; 11 percent to question 2; 23 percent to question 3; and 33 percent to question 4.. February 27, 2023.
  197. Galliher. Renee. Bradshaw. William. Dehlin. John P.. John Dehlin. Crowelle. Katherine. Psychosocial Correlates of Religious Approaches to Same-Sex Attraction: A Mormon Perspective. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health. April 25, 2014. 18. 3. 284–311. 10.1080/19359705.2014.912970. 144153586 .
  198. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. Study Reveals What Really Happens When Gay Mormon Men Marry Straight Women. Huffington Post. New York City. January 14, 2015. February 26, 2023.
  199. Dehlin. John P.. John Dehlin. Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Identity Conflict, and Psychosocial Health Amongst Same-Sex Attracted Mormons. Utah State University. 2015. February 26, 2023. PhD.
  200. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. If a gay Mormon man marries a woman, divorce is likely, study finds. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. February 23, 2023. The study found that: Between 51 percent and 69 percent of mixed-orientation Mormon marriages end in divorce, well above the roughly 25 percent of LDS couples who split up..
  201. Ring. Trudy. Study: Mixed-Orientation Mormon Marriages Likely to Fail. The Advocate. Los Angeles. January 13, 2015. February 26, 2023.
  202. News: Moore. Carrie A.. Gay LDS men detail challenges. Deseret News. LDS Church. Salt Lake City, Utah. February 24, 2023.
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  209. News: Mims. Bob. Most Mormons remain against gay marriage, new poll shows, but that opposition is fading fast; younger LDS support it. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. May 1, 2018. limited. https://web.archive.org/web/20221214172622/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2018/05/01/most-mormons-remain-against-gay-marriage-new-poll-shows-but-that-opposition-is-fading-fast-younger-lds-support-it/. December 14, 2022. live. Internet Archive.
  210. Web site: Fisch-Friedman. Molly. Vandermaas-Peeler. Alex. Griffin. Rob. Cox. Daniel. Jones. Robert P.. Emerging Consensus on LGBT Issues: Findings From the 2017 American Values Atlas. prri.org. Public Religion Research Institute. 2018. February 27, 2023.
  211. Web site: LGBT Populations: A Dialogue on Advancing Opportunities for Recovery from Addictions and Mental Health Problems. Kentucky State Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. samhsa.gov. United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services. February 26, 2023. March 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210320195518/http://dbhdid.ky.gov/dbh/documents/ksaods/2015/Johnson1.pdf?t=00281204012020. live.
  212. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack. Program aims to stop suicide, homelessness in LGBT Mormon youth. February 23, 2023. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. March 15, 2014.
  213. Book: Meyer. Ilan H.. Northridge. Mary E.. The Health of Sexual Minorities. 2007. Springer. US. 978-0-387-31334-4. 242–247. First. 10.1007/978-0-387-31334-4. limited. February 23, 2023.
  214. News: Fletcher Stack. Peggy. Peggy Fletcher Stack . Suicide fears, if not actual suicides, rise in wake of Mormon same-sex policy. February 23, 2023. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. January 28, 2016.
  215. Web site: Parkinson. Daniel. Barker. Michael. The LGBTQ Mormon Crisis: Responding to the Empirical Research on Suicide. February 26, 2023. RationalFaiths.com.
  216. News: Greene. David. Mama Dragons Try To Prevent Suicides Among Mormon-LGBT Children. February 26, 2023. NPR. July 7, 2016.
  217. News: Jackson. Lauren. Devotion and despair: The lonely struggle of a gay Mormon. February 26, 2023. CNN. Atlanta, Georgia. July 19, 2016.
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  221. Web site: Suicide Memorial . . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140117055228/http://www.affirmation.org/suicides/ . January 17, 2014 . mdy-all .
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  223. McQueen . Robert . Outside the Temple Gates-The Gay Mormon . The Advocate. Los Angeles. August 13, 1975 . 14 . November 29, 2016 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080719220413/http://affirmation.org/suicides/1965.shtml . July 19, 2008 . mdy-all. Affirmation.
  224. News: Parker. Ray. Groups team up to reach out to homeless LGBT Mormon youths. February 5, 2017. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. January 25, 2013.
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  226. News: Francis . Janae . Ogden Youth Futures Homeless Shelter seeks public donations . . Salt Lake City, Utah. July 17, 2016. February 26, 2023.
  227. News: Takada . Lena . 46% of lesbian, gay or bisexual teens contemplated suicide in 2021, CDC says . . KTVX. Salt Lake City, Utah. April 6, 2022.
  228. News: Rogers. Melinda. LGBT youth find safe haven at homeless drop-in center. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. June 10, 2012. February 23, 2023.
  229. News: Gleeson. Scott. Could BYU's LGBT policies really deter Big 12 move?. January 12, 2017. USA Today. McLean, Virginia. August 10, 2016.
  230. Web site: Report on the Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault. news.byu.edu. Brigham Young University. November 2017. 2. The online survey was conducted in spring 2017. Email invitations were sent to 29,471 BYU students; 13,784 (48%) started the survey and 12,602 completed the survey, for a response rate of 43%. Demographic data revealed the survey participants to be very similar to the broader BYU population in terms of gender, ethnicity, year in school, and other measures. Key demographics include the following: ... Gender: 52% male, 48% female, and 0.2% transgender or other.. https://web.archive.org/web/20220111233018/https://news.byu.edu/https:/brightspotcdn.byu.edu/1e/9f/3cfd38434e508ab9d421bf55f7ed/campus-climate-report-f2017.pdf. January 11, 2022. live. February 27, 2023.
  231. Klundt . Jared S. . Erekson . David M. . Lynn . Austin M. . Brown . Hannah E. . Sexual minorities, mental health, and religiosity at a religiously conservative university . Personality and Individual Differences . March 2021 . 171 . 110475 . 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110475 .
  232. Book: BYU Board Meeting Minutes. April 19, 1973. Brigham Young University. BYU Library Special Collections. 6–7. limited.
  233. Private Pain, Public Purges: A History of Homosexuality at Brigham Young University . Rocky Connell . O'Donovan . Connell O'Donovan . . April 28, 1997.
  234. Book: Bergera. James. Priddis. Ronald. Brigham Young University: A House of Faith. 1985. Signature Books. Salt Lake City, Utah. 978-0941214346. 126. registration. Internet Archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20220322002235/http://signaturebookslibrary.org/brigham-young-university/. March 22, 2022. live. November 21, 2016.
  235. News: Oaks Supports Security's Police Powers. The Daily Universe. Provo, Utah. Brigham Young University. September 18, 1979.
  236. Williams . Ben . The '70s Mormon crusade against homosexuals . QSaltLake. Salt Lake City, Utah . January 18, 2018.
  237. News: Moes. Garry J.. Ex-BYU Security Officer Tells of Intrigue, Spying. . Salt Lake City, Utah. March 22, 1975. 5 . Newspapers.com. limited. February 23, 2023.
  238. News: Brigham Young U. Admits Stakeouts on Homosexuals. . United Press International. New York City. A16. September 27, 1979. Brigham Young University says its security police staked out homosexual bars in Salt Lake City to investigate homosexual activity at the Latter-day Saint‐owned school, but stopped the practice once administrators learned of it. Paul Richards, director of public relations for the university, confirmed yesterday allegations by the American Civil Liberties Union that security officers ventured off campus and wrote letters to a homosexual‐oriented newspaper soliciting responses as part of a crackdown on homosexuals. ... 'Those things were done,' Mr. Richards said..
  239. Book: Wilson. John K.. Patriotic Correctness: Academic Freedom and Its Enemies. August 1, 2008. Routledge. 978-1594511943. limited. 146.
  240. Mormonism: 'Do Ask, Do Tell' at BYU. February 5, 2017. Newsweek. New York City. April 29, 2007.
  241. BYU clarifies code on homosexuality: Homosexual orientation no longer a violation. The Christian Century. Chicago. May 29, 2007. 124. 11. 15. subscription. February 5, 2017.
  242. News: Stewart. Kirsten. BYU Brass Suspend Two Gays. . Salt Lake City, Utah. February 25, 2023. March 29, 2001. 33 . . Newspapers.com. Part 2 of the article located here.
  243. News: Lyon. Julia. BYU changes honor code text about gay students. January 15, 2017. Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. February 23, 2023.
  244. Graham . Ruth . February 21, 2020 . 'A Weight Has Been Lifted Off My Shoulders': Students at Brigham Young University welcome the school's removal of 'homosexual behavior' from the honor code . . March 11, 2020.
  245. News: McCombs . Brady . March 7, 2020 . Mormon students protest BYU stance on same-sex behavior . . February 26, 2023. News York City.
  246. News: Bowmer . Rick . March 9, 2020 . 'Traumatic whiplash': BYU's U-turn on homosexuality a blow to gay students . . March 11, 2020.
  247. News: Harris . Martha . 2023-08-30 . For queer BYU students, the Honor Code update picks at wounded feelings of belonging . . University of Utah.
  248. News: Iati . Marisa . 2020-03-06 . BYU lifted a ban on 'homosexual behavior.' The Mormon Church says same-sex couples still can't date. . 2024-02-06 . .

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