Help with friend who loves the church but is gay

[bsjkki]

Help.  I have a single young adult friend you just graduated from college in the Boston area.  He has served a mission and stayed active but is gay.  He needs support.  Does anyone know of mormon and gay support groups. (That are not into Mormon bashing.  He is really uncomfortable with angry members who just want to bash the church.)  He doesn't want to hurt his family but is tired of being alone but also loves the church.  I just see this situation as untenable.  He either leaves the church, hurts his family, forsakes his covenants and is able to date and have relationships or he is active but forever lonely (and fighting depression and despair.)  I don't know what to say to him except we will always be there for him.

One more question.  Are any of you openly gay in your wards?  How do people respond?  He feels like he's not able to be himself and I think it could be healthier for him to just be open about his orientation.  I think the ward could be very supportive.  Is this a good or bad idea?

Edited August 12, 2016 by bsjkki

[Calm]

http://northstarlds.org/

I will check with another source tonight who might know of local support group.

[bsjkki]

9 minutes ago, Calm said:

http://northstarlds.org/

I will check with another source tonight who might know of local support group.

Thanks!  I passed it on.  

[Kevin Christensen]

There is this set of issues, worth considering, I think:

http://www.squaretwo.org/Sq2ArticleChristensenRashomon.html

Best,

Kevin Christensen

Bethel Park, PA

[Jeanne]

Nothing to add but support for whatever his heart desires.  If possible, keep us informed.  I can't imagine being in this position with so many difficult choices.

Hugs..Jeanne

[sunstoned]

On 8/12/2016 at 10:16 AM, bsjkki said:

Help.  I have a single young adult friend you just graduated from college in the Boston area.  He has served a mission and stayed active but is gay.  He needs support.  Does anyone know of mormon and gay support groups. (That are not into Mormon bashing.  He is really uncomfortable with angry members who just want to bash the church.)  He doesn't want to hurt his family but is tired of being alone but also loves the church.  I just see this situation as untenable.  He either leaves the church, hurts his family, forsakes his covenants and is able to date and have relationships or he is active but forever lonely (and fighting depression and despair.)  I don't know what to say to him except we will always be there for him.

One more question.  Are any of you openly gay in your wards?  How do people respond?  He feels like he's not able to be himself and I think it could be healthier for him to just be open about his orientation.  I think the ward could be very supportive.  Is this a good or bad idea?

There is a community at Utah Valley University that is associated with multicultural center.  They do community outreach and have ties to other LGBTQ groups in Utah County.  

Here is their website:

https://www.uvu.edu/multicultural/lgbt/