I just watched an interview on youtube.com which is linked on Northern Lights www.LDSlights.org
It is an inteview of a BYU student, John Kovalenko, who discusses the future of those with SGA in the LDS Church as part of this interview. I responded on Northern Lights (LDSlights) as follows.
John K speaks here about the Church welcoming everyone across the spectrum of SGA behavior. As he speaks of this I get a vision of moving to a place where there is a community of those who not only talk to each other anonymously on blogs but of a time when there is more open communication and acceptance of those with SGA and those within the Church who are welcoming to those with SGA. I feel that this may take the form soon of those like John K who are more open about their feelings helping identify some wards and stakes where those with SGA and those who wish to help welcome those with SGA can attend some church functions together. I know several now who wish to begin moving in this direction. I hope to find others who want to be a part of this. As he says here, those who don’t abide by Church standards have to be given a place at the table, even though they cannot necessarily enjoy every Church blessing.
If anyone happens to come here with an interest in this effort, please leave a comment here or write me at schorona@isu.edu
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4 comments:
Ron! You got a blog, after all! That's such good news.
...and I might be interested in participating.
Thanks, Playa.
I will keep you in the loop as things develop. Do I have your email?
playasinmar AT gmail DOT com
I was actually in a ward with John Kovalenko. His openness helped inspire me to come out after moving to the Monta Vista Ward in San Jose, California. After talking with my Bishop I came out to my single adult ward. Needless to say they were shocked, but that was well over a year ago. I haven't had any negative consequences, and feel fully accepted by my peers and leaders. I continue to hold callings and have several friends in the ward. I am even surprised that I have not had any difficulty finding guys to share my house with me. Being able to be open, and being able to casually mention that I'm gay at church functions and activities is very refreshing.
I think part of my success is that I am out-going, conservative, live gospel standards, and live in the bay area where people are exposed to gay people. Nevertheless, I would like to see the ward become welcoming to gay people regardless of how conservative they are or how they live the gospel standards.
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