ARIZONA LDS LGBT & FAMILY/FRIENDS

As I begin my remarks today, I’d like to repeat the words of introduction that I used in speaking to this group four years ago: “I would make two quick points as we begin: first, as you surely understand I speak for myself only; and second, my journey is a work in progress, and thus I share my experiences as a means of relating some lessons I have learned along the way, rather than as a prescription that anyone else should follow the same path. To my mind, one of the most wo

Over thousands of years of rulers, kingdoms, religions, cultural clashes, societies, and customs have defined, refined, and redefined our roles, responsibilities, behaviors, fashions, perceptions, potentials, restrictions, and destinies... all based solely on one thing: our reproductive organs. They've been used to decide who can and cannot rule a kingdom. Who can and cannot be a healer. Who can and cannot run a business. Who can and cannot have sex. Who can and cannot reprod

Thank you all for being here today. I can tell you that it means the world to your LGBTQ friends and family that you were willing to come. We realize for some, this might be WAY outside your comfort zone for you to be here, which makes us love you all the more for making the choice to be uncomfortable. It speaks volumes as to your love and support. Thank you again. You’ll hear from many incredible people from the Mormon LGBTQ community today. I am not one of them. My so

I am grateful to be speaking this morning at the 6th annual ALL Conference. I feel like I have come full circle. I participated in the first ALL conference in 2013. Not in person, but by Google search. At that time I was in desperate need of a safe and supportive community; so this “not out,” very Mormon, 45 year old divorced father of five; dared Google one night to find him one. And Google did. ALL Arizona. I devoured the website content in minutes. As I read Bryan Hendr

I am very happy to be with you today. I love to meet with the Saints in new contexts. We share so many assumptions, so much history, so many beliefs. I think that everything that we do benefits from singing and dancing, so we are going to sing a song. Four lines here to be learned: Dear LGBT friends Meeting here in harmony We share our stories and Feel God’s Love Not a great song. Has problems. But all mix together and sound pretty good. All are alike unto God. But by th

I have the pleasure today to officially welcome you to the 5th annual ALL conference. We’re glad that each of you has chosen to be here today. Many of you have joined us for past conferences and many of you are joining us for the first time. No matter if this is your first time with us or if you’re an old friend, you will notice that there are others in the room just like you. You’ll realize that even though each of us comes here today with our own experiences and perspec

I’m not sure what’s more awkward, me wearing dangly earings and lipstick, or me standing up here in front of all of you. Growing up I was a pretty athletic girl. You know, the neighborhood quarterback and such. I was Steve Young. I’ve always thought it would be cool not only to meet Steve, but also to speak with him. Well, I have a little secret to tell you, being the gay woman that I am, it’s been much more exciting for me to speak with Barb and talk with her than you Steve.

When my wife’s little sister Tanya, the baby in a family of mostly boys, was 8, I started dating her sister. I was 17, and a Sr. in high school. On Sundays I would wander over to the Petersons. Her mom would usually feed me. Then the whole neighborhood would gather in their enormous back yard to play football. It was a rag tag group of kids from 8 on up. Tanya was always on my team, not as a charity thing. She was good. She could catch, run, and pass better than the boys. I w

Good Afternoon, we are Reed and Linda Peterson. Thirty nine years ago we were married in the Salt Lake Temple and are the parents of 4 wonderful children. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Reed has held many leadership positions including serving as Bishop twice. I also have had the opportunity to serve through the years as President of the Primary and Young Woman’s organizations as well as in the Relief Society. Currently we are assisting w

I became aware of my attraction to other boys my age at about the age of 10. When I was fourteen, after looking up the word “homosexual” in the dictionary, I finally had a word to describe what I felt. I occasionally wonder how my life would have been different if I had felt able to trust my parents and Church leaders enough to share my internal struggles with them. Stuart Matis, the gay grandson of Henry Matis, whom my grandfather helped convert to the LDS Church, confided i