Podcasts about lgbt mormons

Join us today as we discuss the shocking wave of excommunications hitting at least five married lesbian couples in the Mormon Church across the US. These events stand in stark contrast to what we thought was a hopeful shift in welcoming LGBT married couples in the Church. Here are a few questions for the Church: What happened? Is the right to preserve one's membership intact a privilege reserved only for select LGBT Mormons? How is the Church guiding these decisions? Are divine revelations to local leaders influenced by the affluence of their congregations? Is God giving different revelations depending on the level of backlash anticipated from local members? Youtube link Show Notes Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

This episode arrives on the heels of the release of a marvelous short video, “Do Better, which features LGBT+ Latter-day Saints and allies sharing reflections and experiences from their Mormon upbringing and interactions with its culture. The video originated in the mind of heart of Lisa Scott, who, with assistance from a network of friends and volunteers, brought it forth into the world. It is already gathering many views and is being shared widely. The video is a vehicle for positive change in Mormon thinking and culture.  Richard Ostler was recently released after serving as a bishop of a Utah Young Single Adult ward. Within his calling, Richard came to know and truly listen to the faith and goodness of young LGBT+ adults, including their intense pain and suffering arising in to some degree from Mormon teachings and cultural attitudes. He has now founded the organization “Listen, Learn, & Love,” which in its online presence serves as a resource for LGBT+ Mormons, and Richard also speaks frequently at events by invitation or via his own initiative.  More than just the focus on Lisa’s video, Richard’s outreach, and LGBT+ issues, this episode also tries to encourage all of us to each find “our” passion--that thing (issue, insight, need) that our life has somehow been calling us to engage with, and to then act on that in whatever way we feel inspired to do. So many times we in Mormonism feel as if we need “permission” from a Church leader before acting purely from our own initiative. Our hope in this discussion is to emphasize and help empower every one of us to never be afraid to do good in the world, to act to open hearts and minds, and assist with difficult situations or circumstances ourselves. It can take any of many forms. Let’s do some good!

In recent years, Mormonism has been doing much better when talking about depression and mental health struggles, helping destigmatize them and encouraging its members to seek assistance. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's October 2013 General Conference address, "Like a Broken Vessel" spoke candidly about these topics, and the church's mental health section at LDS.org/mentalhealth is likewise open-hearted about depression and mental health illnesses, and also teaches us about ways we can compassionately interact with those in our families, wards, and circle of contacts who grapple with them. In non-official LDS circles, the LoveLoud Festival (now a month away from its second event) has raised awareness about the suicide crisis among Utah teens and young adults, especially those who identify as LGBT+. LoveLoud's founder, LDS rock star Dan Reynolds of the band Imagine Dragons, has just this past week been featured in a full-length documentary, Believer (began June 25th on HBO) about his coming to awareness about the struggles of LGBT Mormons, and his energetic work in conceiving and organizing the first festival. We are grateful for both of these great developments. Just as with every medical issue, though, it's important to explore as fully as we can the literature and scientific research surrounding it. And in the case of depression and suicide, as well as several other mental health issues, the findings don't present as clean a picture as most of us have about the efficacy and advisability of even short-time use of anti-depressants, especially among teens and young adults, as well as about long-term benefits for most everyone. The predominant treatment program for depression today is drug therapy (and LDS literature suggests it is in step with this approach), but many researchers are asking if that should be the case.  This episode features two important voices who are asking questions like this: Robert Whitaker, a celebrated journalist and author who focuses on science and medicine, and Jacob Hess, Ph.D., a mental health researcher and advocate for better discussions about topics about important questions such as "Should I begin taking anti-depressants?" Neither Bob nor Jared are anti- anti-depressants so much as pro- "informed consent." In this discussion, they overview much of the literature about and offer background into the paradigm shift that took place some thirty years ago when anti-depressant use began to soar, and they compare it with actual findings about both short- and long-term outcomes. They also share information about many factors that contribute to depression, anxiety, and several other mental health challenges and what research is showing about effective therapies that help with those either in combination with medication or without it.  The story they tell is fascinating, as well as difficult to hear but also hopeful. We hope you will pay close attention to this episode and share it with those you know who could benefit from hearing a wider view on today's understanding of the causes of many  mental health struggles and prevailing treatment approaches.

In this episode of Mormon Stories, we interview Savannah and her mother, Heather. In this episode of Mormon Stories we interview Savannah and her mother, Heather.  Savannah recently generated international media attention when she came out as gay to her Mormon ward (congregation) in Eagle Mountain, Utah during fast and testimony meeting (May 7, 2017).  Towards the end of her testimony, a presiding priesthood authority cut off her microphone and told her to sit down.  A friend recorded the video of her live testimony. In this episode John interviews both Savannah and Heather in order to provide the context for Savannah's testimony that day.  Questions answered in this episode include: *What was Savannah's relationship with the Mormon church prior to her testimony? *Why did Savannah want to come out as gay to her ward?   *Why did she write out her testimony beforehand? *Why did Savannah's parents "allow" her to bear her testimony in this way? *Who recorded Savannah's testimony, and why? *How did Savannah and her mother feel when the microphone was cut off, and Savannah was asked to sit down by her Mormon priesthood leader? *Was this event a conspiracy orchestrated by Savannah's parents? *What has been the reaction to these events? *What do Savannah and Heather hope to accomplish by talking about this publicly? *What would Savannah and Heather like to say to LGBT Mormons and their family/friends? Special thanks to Heather and Savannah for visiting with the Mormon Stories crew and sharing her beautiful story!

Amy and Jake Malouf have been devout LDS church members for their entire lives – living the past 14+ years in Anchorage, Alaska. They have served in high-level callings in their Anchorage ward, and are very well-respected and well-liked in their Alaska LDS community. Two years ago Amy and Jake began to have doubts about the truthfulness of the LDS Church. As they began to share their questions/doubts/concerns about LDS doctrine and policy on Facebook (e.g., the November 2015 policy against LGBT Mormons and their children), their posts were monitored by ward and stake members and reported to the stake leadership. When they were directly asked by their stake president to remain silent about their questions/concerns/doubts/disbelief – they declined as a matter of conscience. Recently when they spoke out publicly on Facebook against the November, 2015 LGBT policy (out of concern for LDS LGBT youth suicides) they were informed by their LDS stake president that they will soon be excommunicated. The date/time of their disciplinary council is October 11, 2016 at 9pm Utah time. This is their story. P.S.  Amy is a fabulous artist.  Her artwork can be found here!  www.amymalouf.com

Common themes found in the narratives of lesbian and gay Mormons' lives tend to be suffering, conflict, and the struggle to survive. But in part 2 of a 2-part series, podcast regular Roni Jo Draper is joined by Laura Dulin, Tom Christofferson, Jay Jacobsen, and Kendall Wilcox to explore how gay and lesbian Mormons might also find ways to thrive. Not only do they explore the simple possibility of thriving but they also describe concrete things LGBT Mormons and their loved ones might do to cultivate a life of thriving. Theme music by Micah Dahl ...

Often in the LDS community the common narrative we hear about LGBT Mormons is that of extreme hardship, suffering, and pain where the person struggles to find ways to survive. While that story is all too familiar to many, if not most LGBT Mormons at one time of their life or another, there is also the possibility of finding ways to thrive as an LGBT Mormon. In part 1 of a 2-part series, podcast regular Roni Jo Draper is joined by Laura Dulin and Tom Christofferson to begin to understand what it looks like for each of them to thrive in both of their unique life ...

This episode is re-broadcast of the Mormons Building Bridges Community Conversation featuring Dr. Bill Bradshaw and Dr. John Parkinson Dehlin as they summarized the major findings from their 2011 survey of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints.   The discussion was recorded on February 3, 2016.Background: An on-line survey was conducted in the fall of 2011, under the auspices of Utah State University, which yielded 1612 participants - LGBTQ Latter-day Saints (current and former members of the Church). Responses to the large number questions produced a wealth of data regarding such topics as sexual identity development, religious identity development, interventions engaged in for the purpose of coping with or changing one’s sexual orientation, mental health outcomes, and religiosity and religious trajectories. Seven published papers reporting this work have now appeared in prominent academic journals, with others in preparation.

The Church speaks out about reported suicides among LGBT Mormons; Peggy Fletcher Stack crunches some hard numbers; and the Friend is a feminist front.

Corinne and Matt take on the Deseret News and the Mormon Newsroom on the issue of LGBT Mormons committing suicide. They also discuss "real revelations", Mormon end of the world mumbo-jumbo, and Zombie Mormon Missionaries.The show is also available on iTunes (please subscribe and rate us!). You can email us at skepticsquaredpodcast@gmail.com and check out our blog at www.skepticsquaredpodcast.blogspot.com.https://archive.org/details/E16ZombieMormonMissionaries

News broke last week that the LDS Church was adopting new policies aimed at married same-sex couples and their children. Mormons in a same-sex marriage will now be considered apostates and could be subject to disciplinary hearings and excommunication. Their children, meanwhile, will be barred from many of the faith’s sacred rituals, unless they get permission from church’s highest leaders. Monday, a panel of guests joined us to discuss the impacts and ramifications of these new church policies. GUESTS Jennifer Dobner is a journalist at the Salt Lake Tribune where she covers health care reform, Mormonism, polygamy, justice issues and more. John Dehlin has a Ph.D. in psychology from Utah State University, focusing on religion, mental health, and the LGBT Mormon experience. he co-led the largest study ever conducted on LGBT Mormons that has been published in numerous scientific, peer reviewed journals, including the APA's Journal of Counseling Psychology. He also produces and hosts the Mormon Stories podcast. He was excommunicated from the LDS Church in January of 2015. He was credited in several news reports for leaking information about the Church’s new policy on married same-sex Mormons and their children. Kendall Wilcox is an openly gay and active Mormon. He’s a co-founder of Mormons Building Bridges, a group that works to build understanding between members of the LDS Church and the LGBT community. He’s currently producing a documentary film about the experience of LGBT Mormons. It’s called Far Between. Mitch Mayne is an openly gay, active Mormon who served as executive secretary in the LDS bishopric in San Francisco through 2013.

On Thursday, November 5th, we learned of several new additions to the Church Handbook of Instructions, Volume 1, which guides members of stake presidencies and bishoprics in their duties and responsibilities. The substance of these policy changes is (1) that Latter-day Saint adults who are in a same-sex marriage or cohabitating with a member of the same sex are now considered in "apostasy," with leaders specifically directed to call disciplinary councils for those who fit these criteria; and (2) that children under the age of 18 from these relationships, and who live at least part-time in the home of a parent in a same-sex relationship, may not be given a name and a blessing in an official church setting (one that would generate a membership record for them), nor can they be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, be ordained to priesthood, or serve a mission. At age 18, baptism and mission service come back onto the table as a possibility for them, should they desire, but in order to qualify for consideration, they must satisfy a stake or mission president that they repudiate same-sex relationships and affirm the Church’s teachings and policies concerning them. At that point, their case is referred to the First Presidency who must then give approval before their baptism or mission processes can go forward. In this episode, the first of at least two that Mormon Matters will host, we are blessed to be able to hear from Carol Lynn Pearson and Mitch Mayne, two active Latter-day Saints in good standing who are also prominent voices in conversations about LGBT Mormons. In conversation with Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, Carol Lynn and Mitch share they are personally processing the new policy changes, report on their experiences with others and how they are reacting to the news as well as how certain church leaders are reacting (in both loving and more cold and administrative ways), and even predict results that are already and will likely continue to follow from these new guidelines. Mostly they and Dan share thoughts on ways forward for them. What from their own lives or looks at history are beacons of hope for them? Where are they finding strength to continue journeying and serving in Mormon communities even during these most difficult times?

Shared with us from MormonMentalHealth.org Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Dr. Sharon Groves from the Human Rights Campaign.  They discuss important issues that directly affect the Mormon LGBT population, research implications for families wanting to support their LGBT youth, interfaith efforts that…Read more →