Mary Sunshine

person

"Apostle: Same-sex attraction can change"

I’m going to get my letter in order, too.  I’ve been holding out for an ex-communication, but it’s clear my attempts to win one aren’t working.  (Do they not read my Twitter?  Really?  COME ON NOW MONSON, PACKER, DON’T BE COY.)

ryanshattuck:

“Same-sex attraction can be overcome and any type of union beyond traditional marriage is morally wrong, an LDS apostle told millions of Mormons on Sunday.”

Twice a year, the LDS Church holds an event called General Conference, in which Mormons from across the world listen to speeches given by Mormon leaders. Although I left the LDS Church approximately 5 or 6 years ago, Mormonism is still as part of my heritage as is my social awkwardness. I also live in downtown Salt Lake City, and therefore the semi-annual LDS General Conference is more impossible to avoid than herpes.

(So I’ve heard.)

Cantankerous Boyd K. Packer gave a speech at General Conference yesterday, in which he shared his opinion that “same-sex marriage is wrong” and “gay people should stop being gay” and “Jesus rode a dinosaur to church” and “I just celebrated my 247th birthday but I don’t look a day over 239.”

As a gay man, I ‘should’ be offended by his suggestion that gay people simply stop being gay. But let’s have some perspective here: should I really be offended that a crazy old man - from a church I don’t belong to - spoke about a subject he doesn’t understand? As far as I’m concerned, Packer’s comments carry as much validity as Andy Rooney when he shared his bewildered opinions about Lady Gaga.

No, I’m not offended by old men who wear adult diapers, haven’t had a boner in 17 years, and forget why they came into the room.

I’m not offended at all. But I am worried.

I’m worried about the closeted gay teenagers who contemplate suicide because their efforts at changing their same-sex attraction have been unsuccessful. I’m worried about the depressed celibate gay man in his mid-40’s who will never experience companionship, because he believes that Packer’s word is God’s word. I’m worried about the lesbian woman who will be unable to visit her dying partner of 30 years in the hospital, because Packer’s church lead the charge in preventing gay men and women from marrying.

Comments such as his are divisive and cruel, and play an indirect but significant role in the suicides of young gay men and women. Nevertheless, Packer’s insulting comments are simply a drop in the bucket, after a long career of denigrating gay men and women. Christians are often asked “What Would Jesus Do?” Undoubtedly, Jesus would ignore Packer’s hurtful comments, and carry on with a spirit of hope and optimism.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m not personally offended. In fact, I even hope that something positive comes from all of this:

  1. fancychristofer said: I agree completely! Thanks for posting this because it is exactly how I feel about the situation and wish others would approach it the same way.
  2. brandelion reblogged this from ryanshattuck and added:
    I’m going to get my letter in order, too. I’ve been holding out for an ex-communication, but it’s clear my attempts to...
  3. ryanshattuck posted this