Mormons Walk In Gay Pride Parade

[sjdawg]

http://www.sltrib.co...-pride.html.csp

I looked in Deseret News for the story but they don't seem to have it. Why not?

They found the space to talk about a Mormon version of The Bachelor (http://www.deseretne...his-summer.html)

This seems more newsworthy than that

[mapman]

The Deseret News did publish an article on it: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865556863/300-plus-LDS-Church-members-march-in-Pride-parade.html

[sjdawg]

The Deseret News did publish an article on it: http://www.deseretne...ide-parade.html

Thank you. I figured they must have provided some coverage but I couldn't see it.

I'm not sure how I feel about LDS members walking in the gay pride parade. I'm actually a big supporter of gay rights but I'm not sure a gay pride parade is a proper atmosphere for LDS families to bring their children to. Any pictures of gay pride parades I have ever seen have shown some pretty interesting outfits being worn.

[Buzzard]

It is my considered opinion that in trying to show our love for all of God's children, we have may be sending the message that we accept people "just the way you are". The indisputable fact remains that unrepented sin will bring eternal misery. So in a way, all those marchers "building bridges" were facilitating the damnation of those they were reaching out to. And yes, I know that we are all sinners, including me. But I will be accountable to God for my sins, and I am not demanding that my sins be declared not to be sins, and if someone tells me that it's OK, go ahead and live a sinful life, we accept you unconditionally, then they would be doing me a disservice.

One other thought. I saw video of the group. I would say a minority were actual "active" LDS. I base that on the clothing many of them wore. When was the last time you saw a sister in church wearing a skirt and tank top, or a sleevless sundress? Or a brother in walk shorts that are halfway up the thigh. Don't get me wrong, I am not passing judgement on the clothing, or saying that wearing such apparel is wicked. But that is not the clothing that most active LDS wear.

[sjdawg]

It is my considered opinion that in trying to show our love for all of God's children, we have may be sending the message that we accept people "just the way you are". The indisputable fact remains that unrepented sin will bring eternal misery. So in a way, all those marchers "building bridges" were facilitating the damnation of those they were reaching out to. And yes, I know that we are all sinners, including me. But I will be accountable to God for my sins, and I am not demanding that my sins be declared not to be sins, and if someone tells me that it's OK, go ahead and live a sinful life, we accept you unconditionally, then they would be doing me a disservice.

One other thought. I saw video of the group. I would say a minority were actual "active" LDS. I base that on the clothing many of them wore. When was the last time you saw a sister in church wearing a skirt and tank top, or a sleevless sundress? Or a brother in walk shorts that are halfway up the thigh. Don't get me wrong, I am not passing judgement on the clothing, or saying that wearing such apparel is wicked. But that is not the clothing that most active LDS wear.

I do accept gay people the way they are and disagree that it will bring eternal misery to them.

[Buzzard]

I do accept gay people the way they are and disagree that it will bring eternal misery to them.

Well, the 1st section of the D&C would disagree with you, but each of us are entitled to our own opinion.

[sjdawg]

Well, the 1st section of the D&C would disagree with you, but each of us are entitled to our own opinion.

Yes we are.

[BCSpace]

I do accept gay people the way they are and disagree that it will bring eternal misery to them.

Do you then disagree with official LDS doctrine on homosexuality? That homosexual acts are sin?

What are these people marching for if not to show their disagreement with the doctrine?

[mapman]

Their purpose from their Facebook page:

"

MORMONS BUILDING BRIDGES

"This [LDS] Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our h

istory ... Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment -- to love one another." ("Church Responds to HRC Petition: Statement on Same-Sex Attraction",

http://newsroom.lds....-sex-attraction, 2010)

We are faithful Latter-day Saints dedicated to sharing a message of love and acceptance with the LGBT community. We seek to build bridges of understanding and respect after many years of strife and heartbreak. We want our gay brothers and sisters to feel welcome in our congregations and safe in our pews. We are especially motivated to extend our hearts and hands to LGBT Mormon youth. Jesus said “Love one another as I have loved you”; we want to share His love with everyone and affirm God's joy in the beauty and diversity of His creation.

Mormons Building Bridges is not an organization, it's an idea around which like-minded Latter-day Saints can rally in sending a message of love.

The march in the 2012 Utah Pride Parade is just the inaugural effort sponsored by MBB. The hope is that fellow Mormons across the country who may not be able to march in the Utah pride parade will see the march as an invitation to create their own ways of expressing the same message of love and acceptance to their LGBT brothers and sisters in their own congregations.

Moving forward, MBB will serve as a gathering place for fellow Mormons to share ideas of how they’ve been able to express this message of love and improve understanding of what it’s like for their LGBT brothers and sisters in their own congregations. MBB will also serve as a source of support and feedback for these ongoing efforts.

MBB is not sponsored by nor do we represent the LDS Church or any political party or caucus."

(

https://www.facebook...uildingbridges/)

It's not about encouraging sin, its about charity and making sure people don't feel like they are forced to go to drastic actions like suicide.

[sjdawg]

Do you then disagree with official LDS doctrine on homosexuality?

Yes I do.

[altersteve]

Do you then disagree with official LDS doctrine on homosexuality? That homosexual acts are sin?

What are these people marching for if not to show their disagreement with the doctrine?

Homosexual behavior is sinful. Simply being gay is not.

[Buzzard]

Homosexual behavior is sinful. Simply being gay is not.

Ah, but what is "being gay"? A single person living a moral, chaste life, regardless of his or her attraction, is not committing sin. A person who is not chaste, regardless of their selection of partners, is committing a sin that needs to be repented of. I would say that someone who has SSA issues, but does not act on them is not "gay". They are living a moral life, period." Being gay" in modern vernacular usually means they have had one or more partners of the same gender, and the scriptures and prophets are unequivical that this is not acceptable in God's eyes.

In todays sex-drenched society, a person is considered bizarre and not a complete human being if they are not having regular sexual relations, regardless of their marital standing, while the Lord and the church have made it clear that there is a different standard that is expected, and life is not just about fulfillment through having sex.

I hope I am not treading too close to the line on the "no sex threads" rule. If I am, my apologies in advance to the mods.

[GingerRed]

......In todays sex-drenched society, a person is considered bizarre and not a complete human being if they are not having regular sexual relations, regardless of their marital standing, while the Lord and the church have made it clear that there is a different standard that is expected, and life is not just about fulfillment through having sex.

I hope I am not treading too close to the line on the "no sex threads" rule. If I am, my apologies in advance to the mods.

I hear ya on this one....I have never been married and I am still...'chaste'. And I have gotten comments in the past that make me feel as I am some kind of 'freak' or 'broken' because I ' don't do it'. I don't define myself that way. I am a strong, caring, content person living a good life, loving my career, my friends and my family. I don't go around boo-hooing because I don't have 'it' in my life (and probably never will as I ain't gettin' any younger! ) I don't complain about what I don't have, I try to enjoy and love what I DO have and I feel very blessed.

While I understand what this group is trying to accomplish, and I get that they mean well. I'm not sure walking in that parade really was a good thing. Its like they were saying being in the parade was more important than being in church that morning. If it hadn't been on the Sabbath, it might not had seem so bad....to me. I dunno. Thats just my opinion.

Red

[David T]

In my understanding of Christianity, Acts of Christian service expressing love in a unique time-sensitive way trump going to regular meetings as sabbath-appropriate activities.

[rpn]

I would say that someone who has SSA issues, but does not act on them is not "gay". They are living a moral life, period." Being gay" in modern vernacular usually means they have had one or more partners of the same gender, ent through having sex.

I do not think that a good percentage of those who have ssa issues but do not act on them would agree with you. You are equating "being gay" with "promoting a gay lifestyle" which is quite different. .

[Kenngo1969]

We're having a heterosexual pride parade starting at my house Saturday at 10 a.m. and marching downtown. We hope to see everyone come out and express appropriate pride in his or her heterosexuality. Please feel free to carry signs that would make the most ardent "Free-Lover" from the '60s blush, and to wear garish, outlandish costumes designed to show your pride in being heterosexual. Please come support us in this endeavor.

I know, sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Granted, my heterosexuality is a part of who I am, but it's only a part. Since I don't believe in sex outside of marriage, and since I've never been married, it's an even smaller part than it would otherwise be. While I love my brothers and sisters, heterosexual and homosexual alike, the difference between me and so many of them is that, sadly, it seems that they choose to be defined by a single characteristic. If I had a homosexual friend named Bill, it's as if we might have a conversation like this:

"Bill, I understand you play several musical instruments. Is that right?"

"Yes, and I'm homosexual."

"I understand you play the cello."

"Yes, I'm a homosexual cellist."

"And the violin."

"That's right, I'm also a homosexual violinist."

"And the piano."

"Yes, I'm a homosexual pianist."

"I understand you like soccer."

"Yes, I'm a homosexual soccer fan."

"And Agatha Christie novels."

"And I'm homosexual."

"And Rocky Road ice cream."

"But don't forget, I'm homosexual ..."

"You've run a marathon; wow, that's terrific. I could never do that."

"Yes, I'm a homosexual marathoner."

And on ...

And on ...

And on ...

Yet if I were to use those same descriptors ("I'm not sure I know Bill"; "Oh, sure, you know him: he's the homosexual soccer fan ...")at the very least, people would look at me very strangely; in fact, they might even rightly call me a bigot. Yet it seems as though whatever other laudable characteristic so many of them possess, they choose, instead, to be defined by their sexuality. I've had homosexual coworkers, classmates, professors, and associates, and their homosexuality has never, for me, figured into our relationship at all. I guess I've never appreciated them fully as human beings.

[Libs]

What is behind gay pride is the same principle that was behind "black is beautiful", in the sixties.

These groups have both been highly discriminated against, creating a lot of damage and self hate. These parades and other methods are simply a means to boost awareness for both the public and the discriminated against group, that they ARE beautiful and loved, just the way they are.

That's all.

You cannot compare a group (like heterosexuals) that has not had this kind of devastating discrimination heaped on them, with a group that has. It just doesn't work, because not all things are equal.

[Libs]

I applaud those members of the LDS Church who went out and marched in support of gay pride. I cannot tell you how happy that made me, and I know it was so very much appreciated by those whom they were there to support. Very beautiful gesture, IMHO.

[Judd]

I think someone said it best in the comment section on KSL

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=20684991&comments=true

For those who experience homosexual feelings, whether you are faithful Latter-day Saints or not, you need to know that millions of Latter-day Saints love you and wish you well. We just don't march in political, worldly, and immoral gay pride parades. We show our love in much more meaningful and personal ways.

Gay activists are trying to convince you that Christians look down on you because of your sexual feelings. They are trying to paint a picture of widespread hate and intolerance and ignorance among Latter-day Saints. They are either lying or mistaken. Just because we don't believe what gay activists preach does not mean that we hate anybody. And for those who call us "homophobic," we don't fear your alternative philosophies, either. We just have faith in a better way than the self-labeling and self-limiting one that is politically "correct" nowadays. Be assured that there are many Latter-day Saints and other spiritually minded people who experience those homosexual attractions and yet who are finding lasting happiness in a way that does not include embracing a gay identity.

I'm afraid Mormons Building Bridges, led by some folks on the fringes of LDS religious culture, may have only accomplished a retelling of the false pro-gay story about Mormonism, that those Latter-day Saints who are loving are a minority. Please remember that this is a false story, and remember the millions of Latter-day Saints who are loving and welcoming, encouraging people to consider the solutions that the Gospel offers for the challenges of homosexuality.

I think there is a false dichotomy established that basically states, without words but in attitude, that if you're not championing the cause and actively advocating the agenda that you're not being Christ-like. Now, I know many feel that it's simply about showing support, but I think the avenues used are misguided. Many of the same reasons I don't feel like liking "1,000,000 million believers in The Book of Mormon!" on facebook, or anything of the like. What happens in day-to-day life is much more important (but obviously not mutually exclusive), but a parade is laden with so many other ideas and ideals that to think it be unChristlike to oppose the thought of it is silly.

[rodheadlee]

One other thought. I saw video of the group. I would say a minority were actual "active" LDS. I base that on the clothing many of them wore. When was the last time you saw a sister in church wearing a skirt and tank top, or a sleevless sundress? Or a brother in walk shorts that are halfway up the thigh. Don't get me wrong, I am not passing judgement on the clothing, or saying that wearing such apparel is wicked. But that is not the clothing that most active LDS wear.

I don't approve of the gay life choice but the Key West ward would be a good place to start as far as non typical LDS clothing worn to church, second off who would wear church clothing to a parade?

[BCSpace]

Do you then disagree with official LDS doctrine on homosexuality? That homosexual acts are sin?

What are these people marching for if not to show their disagreement with the doctrine?

Homosexual behavior is sinful. Simply being gay is not.

Actually, I'd hazard that's not true. For example, we differentiate between one who is struggling with same-sex attraction and one who self identifies as homosexual.

[Ron Beron]

http://www.sltrib.co...-pride.html.csp

I looked in Deseret News for the story but they don't seem to have it. Why not?

They found the space to talk about a Mormon version of The Bachelor (http://www.deseretne...his-summer.html)

This seems more newsworthy than that

I cannot understand why one would be proud of being either homosexual or heterosexual. Since neither one is chosen as a lifestyle alternative then it cannot be a source of accomplishment or failure, therefore, why would we celebrate either one?

[Buzzard]

I don't approve of the gay life choice but the Key West ward would be a good place to start as far as non typical LDS clothing worn to church, second off who would wear church clothing to a parade?

]Except this was in SLC, not Key West. And some of the marchers were in Sunday go to meetin' clothes. Like I said, I'm not passing judgement on wearing certain styles of clothing, but a lot of what was in the video were styles that go against, say the guidelines in "For the Strength of Youth". In a place like Utah, with not only the LDS religion, but the LDS culture so well known, wearing short shorts and sleeveless dresses/tank tops over skirts tells me that those marching not only had not been to the temple (obviously), but that they were comfortable wearing clothing styles that the church counsels against. I deduced from that observation that likely a lot of the "active Mormon" supporters saw less time inside a chapel than they would have us believe.

[blackstrap]

Is it possible that the bridge builders consider themselves as a pot of 'good' at the end of the rainbow?

[sjdawg]

]Except this was in SLC, not Key West. And some of the marchers were in Sunday go to meetin' clothes. Like I said, I'm not passing judgement on wearing certain styles of clothing, but a lot of what was in the video were styles that go against, say the guidelines in "For the Strength of Youth". In a place like Utah, with not only the LDS religion, but the LDS culture so well known, wearing short shorts and sleeveless dresses/tank tops over skirts tells me that those marching not only had not been to the temple (obviously), but that they were comfortable wearing clothing styles that the church counsels against. I deduced from that observation that likely a lot of the "active Mormon" supporters saw less time inside a chapel than they would have us believe.

It really sounds like you are passing judgement