tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320046297313453232.post4729704262254684695..comments2022-01-22T01:15:27.341-07:00Comments on Against the Wall: Stand up! Come out! Speak out!Clive Durhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429000026909551119noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320046297313453232.post-58231799102003764342011-02-03T17:32:39.164-07:002011-02-03T17:32:39.164-07:00Clive,
I'm sure your POV having been a bishop ...Clive,<br />I'm sure your POV having been a bishop and being around other leaders who were as loving and caring as you gives you the strength to want to conquer with love. Maybe with your experience and network it can help facilitate a training to the LDS leaders or something. <br /><br />Sadly my personal experience with this issue was different. The first time I heard my own bishop talk about a kid who was dealing with "SSA" as he put it he mocked the kid and berated him horribly in a bishopric meeting and I was just a lowly clerk who was horrified to hear him speak like that, same with rumors of another member who was said to frequent gay bars and clubs --granted that was a few years ago--and my own experience telling my bishop at the student ward of my struggles and his pat answer of "just get married, once you have a sexual outlet your attractions will stop" didn't leave much to be desired for so the last thing I ever wanted to do was to air my dirty laundry in front of my leaders. <br /><br />I think the biggest issue for me is that many leaders--and members for that matter--don't have the huevos to speak and act their mind, even if it just means a small show of unconditional love in word and deed because it could mean that they might get in trouble with their own leaders--again another byproduct of having lay clergy and not being adequately trained with issues like this. I agree with you that something has to be done but honestly I don't know if it is realistic because leaders don't dare speak up and make the church a true place for sanctuary.<br /><br />In my ideal world where we'd all love and care for one another and would always think: "What would The Lord Do?" I could see that happening and I'm sure there are small steps being made now thanks to the Carolyn Pearsons and others like her, thankfully that's why a lot of kids don't feel so afraid of staying in the closet, but in my mind we're still a few generations from seeing that in the LDS church, very likely we'll never live to see it.<br />Hugs,MiguelMiguelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04203771368783213108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1320046297313453232.post-3311258709386176422011-02-03T16:14:41.851-07:002011-02-03T16:14:41.851-07:00A very powerful post, with which I wholeheartedly,...A very powerful post, with which I wholeheartedly, for the most part, agree. A friend who has provided me with much useful advice since I started my process of coming out has pointed out to me that blogs such as yours and mine and many others are important voices that can speak to other gay members of the Church, particularly young ones. There is much we can do, regardless of where we fall on the spectrum of Church activity/belief.Invictus Pilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15961213460164925021noreply@blogger.com