Saturday, December 8, 2012

Why I participated in the LDS Church's website on same-sex attraction.

My name is Laurie Campbell and I'm one of the people who appear in the videos on the LDS Church's new website entitled "Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction." This blog is called mormonsandgays because that's the url for the Church site. I'm hoping that eventually I'll be able to include posts from other participants on the website here, too. Then we can continue the discussion as we tell our stories.

I participated in the website because I wanted to help others, especially those who are experiencing the sort of conflict and turmoil I felt years ago. I would have loved to have heard from others back then who were having similar experiences. Now I want to provide that for others.

I was going to launch into my personal story but figured that since an article about me has just appeared in the Deseret News, I'll recommend reading that. I have to admit, it's terribly unnerving to see my photo there with a big headline that reads, "Woman Who Had Lived Lesbian Lifestyle Brings Hope to Mormons with Same-Sex Attraction Through LDS Church's New Website." I really do feel exposed. But I also feel grateful to be able to make a sacrifice like that. I know the Lord accepts it as such and that He and Heavenly Father are proud of me. That's such a great feeling.

I also wanted to respond to the people who have been asking me when I'm going to finish my second book, "Reborn That Way." It's sort of a sequel to my first book, "Born That Way" which was published by Deseret Book 20 years ago. I'm happy to report Reborn That Way will be completed by the end of this year. Knowing me, that probably means December 31 at 11:58 pm, with just enough time to join my husband and kids for the New Years' countdown.

I've begun a couple of blogs before and not followed up very well. I'm committed to changing that. After all, if I'm going to testify of the power of the mighty change in my life, I can certainly change that.




4 comments:

  1. Thank you for all that you are doing and have done to blaze the trail for the rest of us. You're right. It does mean a lot to know that there are success stories like yours that I can look to for strength as I strive to maintain my relationship with Christ, keep his commandments and strive for exaltation. SGA or any other mortal condition need not be a roadblock on that path, as you have so faithfully shown us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Laurie, I just wanted to thank you also for being so open about your life. Your persistent courage has really inspired me this evening as I try to move forward in faith and not fear in my own journey of coming out as well. I am so grateful to see another women doing something similar to what I hope to do in supporting others and contributing to the important dialogue happening in the church. I wish you all the best in your continued efforts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have an honest question for you and I respect your life experience. Why do they say on the site that it is for discussion, when it seems to be monologues? Also, why are there no monologues from people who consider themselves gay? I understand the church doesn't believe in same sex relationships, but I am Mormon and I am in a long term committed relationship with another woman. I'm not asking the church to condone my relationship, but I was wondering what your take is on why they don't have more on there from people coming from my perspective. You are doing what the church wants you to do and you have struggled with same sex attraction, but that is very different than telling your friends and family who are Mormon that you are gay. What should they tell my nieces and nephews? How should they incorporate my partner and our children into the family? These are the issues that matter to me and people coming from my perspective. I mean no disrespect. I just don't get why that was left out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to be rather late in my reply to your post. I'm only guessing as far as answering your questions, and I greatly appreciate the tone in which you asked them. I'm not sure why the Church did not delve further into how gay Mormons should approach friends and family as well as how partners and children should be incorporated. I think the Church tried to make a rather broad stroke with the website and avoid delving into matters that they may think best left up to individuals and their families. Examples of how such matters have been handled would be good though. I think there are a lot of things they could add to the site and I'm hoping they will do so over time. It would be great to have an entire section of the site that deals with gay Mormons and issues that matter to them. I didn't have any say in what went on the site nor what might go on it in the future. If that changes, I could add this to the list of things I'd like to suggest.

      Delete