From Deseret News archives:
Gay support group lists requests to LDS Church
Though church leaders have stated that being attracted to a member of the same sex is not a sin, rank-and-file members particularly bishops who counsel with gay and lesbian members have not "absorbed" the message, said Olin Thomas, executive director of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons. Consequently, he said, gay members continue to encounter threatening, even hostile, church environments.
"The issues surrounding same-gender attraction deserve careful attention, not public posturing," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded in a statement released on Monday.
In a meeting requested by Affirmation, David Melson, Affirmation assistant executive director and Thomas were to sit down Monday morning with the head of LDS Family Services, who had been asked by LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson to represent the church. But the church postponed the meeting after LDS Family Services director Fred C. Riley left his position.
Affirmation leaders said they called the news conference to get information out and move the discussion forward. "I would like to see the church become a safe haven for all its members," Melson said.
"It appears from Affirmation's actions today that it has opted for a public rather than private exchange," said the church statement.
In addition to wanting a general conference talk on the church's position toward gays, Melson outlined other items on the group's agenda.
Affirmation wants a female church leader to address mothers to let them know they're not responsible for their children's sexuality. Melson said guilt is a "huge problem" for mothers of gay children.
The group also wants to meet with a member of the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve and to invite a general authority to speak at its 2009 conference.
Affirmation wants to work with the church to develop resource materials for bishops to better and more consistently deal with gay and lesbian members who seek counseling.
The group also intended to give a letter to President Monson concerning future discussions, for which he could give as much or as little publicity as he preferred.
E-mail: romboy@desnews.com
Recent comments
Has anyone done a study of why there are so many gays in the mormon...
Bruce | April 7, 2009 at 10:42 a.m.
The First Presidency has stated that SAME SEX ATTRACTION is not a...
Bill | April 7, 2009 at 9:40 a.m.
. . . to be my counselor in the bishopric. When I submitted his name...
I called a gay man. . . | April 7, 2009 at 8:57 a.m.
- Housing plan reaches 1 in 5 8:51 a.m.
- 25-year sentence in scuba slaying 8:50 a.m.
- Gunman in NY school surrenders 8:49 a.m.
- Fed: Weak economy won't spur jobs 8:48 a.m.
- Subway train stops short of woman 8:37 a.m.
- Ida weakens, heads east 8:34 a.m.
- Obama pressed into role as healer 8:14 a.m.
- FBI reassessing past look at Hasan 8:14 a.m.
- Oil below $79 as Ida weakens 8:12 a.m.
- Stocks open lower 8:11 a.m.
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses
- Hope for single moms
- Attorney given report on Taser death
- Price injured; Miles has cast removed
- House passes health care bill
233 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
116 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
98 - Senators want food tax restored
94
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Mothers are important, an *educated* mother more so...
If more politicians voted their conscience instead of the party line we might...
PC and those who enforce it on us are the real murderers here. They are as...
I used to wonder how otherwise educated Germans could fall for the Nazi...
You forgot #4 - The Utes don't stand a chance against Jerry Hughes and Andy...
Thanks BYU faculty for standing up and being counted. Where are the other...
Goodbye Coward !
'We are watching America change from a land of equal OPPORTUNITY...' ...
I think this BYU/Utah rivalry is getting way too personal. Fans think with...
You are right, it won't be that close. Utah will win. Go UTES!!!


