LGBT Mormon suicides

Last updated

In society at large, LGBT individuals, especially youth, are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. [1] [2] [3] Though causes of mental health risk are complex, one oft cited reason for these higher risks is minority stress stemming from societal anti-LGBT biases and stigma, rejection, and internalized homophobia. [4]

Contents

A 2016 empirical study found a correlation between the percentage of members of Mormonism's largest denomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), in a U.S. state and the suicide rates of that state, stating the reason was due to the church's stance on same-sex sexual relations. [5] The study could not examine what percentages of the deaths were LGBT persons or the percentage that were Latter-day Saints. A 2002 research report found a negative correlation in suicide between LDS Church youth members and nonmember youth in Utah, finding higher levels of religiosity appear to be inversely associated with suicide. The study did not take into account sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. [6] In a 2015 survey of 92 LGBTQ BYU students done by USGA, over half had at some point considered self-harm. [7]

Other studies have shown that LGBTQ Mormons and former Mormons experience higher rates of certain mental health disorders such as PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder than the general population. [8] [9] [10] These are positively correlated with suicidality. [11] [12] [13] One snowball sampling study of 1,612 LGBT Mormon and former Mormon respondents in 2015 found that involvement with the LDS Church and being single and celibate or engaging in a mixed-orientation marriage are both associated with higher rates of depression and a lower quality of life for LGBT individuals. [8]

Many have stated the belief that LDS teachings on homosexuality and gender, such as the belief gender and sexuality can be changed, have contributed to the suicides of LGBTQ members, and enabled harsh behavior by its members. [14] :4 [14] :17 [15] In January 2016 the LDS Church stated in regards to reported suicides of LGBT Mormons that leaders and members are taught to "reach out in an active, caring way to all, especially to youth who feel estranged or isolated." [16] Affirmation, the largest and oldest continuously run LGBT Mormon organization, reported over 30 LGBT LDS deaths by suicide between 1971 and 2008 [17] [18] including five gay male Brigham Young University (BYU) students who died by suicide in 1965. [19] [20]

Research

Suicidality among the general LGBTQ population in the United States (US) is an area of ongoing research. The US Department of Health and Human Services found in 1989 that nearly 1 of 3 adolescent suicides in the US were by lesbian and gay teens. [21] Another 2001 study found that homosexual teens were 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers with suggestions that higher rates of depression, victimization by bullies, and alcohol use to numb anxiety from hiding ones stigmatized sexual orientation may be causative factors. [21] Teen suicide rates in the US and Utah (a state with a large LDS population) have increased over the past decade. [22] Among Utah youth aged 10–17 who died by suicide during 2011–2015 with circumstances data, 45% (48 of 146) were LDS affiliated. [23] :91 Of the 40 cases that included information on the decedent's sexual orientation, six (15.0%) were identified as sexual minorities. [23] :38

Various research surveys have found a range of correlations in the intersection of suicidality and involvement with the LDS Church. Studies have shown that LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and LGBT former Latter-day Saints experience higher rates of certain mental health disorders such as PTSD and major depressive disorder than the general population, and these are positively correlated with suicidality. One study of 1,612 LGBT Latter-day Saint and former Latter-day Saint respondents in 2015 found that involvement with the LDS Church and being single and celibate or engaging in a mixed-orientation marriage are both associated with higher rates of depression and a lower quality of life for LGBT individuals. [8] Depression has been shown to have a strong positive correlation with suicidal intent. [11] Clinically significant symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder related to their experiences within Mormonism have also been observed at high rates among affiliated and disaffiliated LGBTQ Latter-day Saints, [9] [10] [24] and PTSD is associated with suicide attempts and ideation. [12] [13]

A large representative sample of Utah middle and high school students shows higher rates of suicide for LGBTQ youth, which was higher for non-LDS LGBTQ youth when compared to LDS LGBTQ youth. [25]  An analysis by the church's largest university, Brigham Young University (BYU), of data from the 2019 Utah Department of Human Services survey of Utah students (6th to 12th grade) found that "religious affiliation was unrelated to suicidality and depression for LGBQ youths once other factors (e.g., family, drug use) were taken into account." [26] For both non-LDS and LDS Utah youth, higher levels of family conflict and lower levels of parental closeness were related to increased reports of depression, substance use, self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempts. [25]

A key factor in determining mental health wellbeing is family acceptance and support, and feelings of isolation and rejection are correlated with suicidality. [27] Studies show LDS transgender and other gender diverse (TGD) individuals tend to have much better outcomes when their family members are affirming. [27]

Teachings on sexuality and gender identity origins and purported changeability

A number of individuals [28] [29] and organizations [30] have stated their belief that church teachings against homosexuality and the treatment of LGBT Mormons by other members and leaders has contributed to LGBT Mormon suicides. [31] [7] [32] For example, LDS historian Gregory Prince stated that by condemning homosexuality as "evil, self-inflicted, and impossible in postmortal existence" LDS church leaders have enabled harsh behavior by its members with the alarming number of LDS LGBT homeless and Utah's highest per capita teen suicide rate in the country manifesting the effects of this cruelty. [14] :4 A prominent openly gay member Mitch Mayne wrote in 2012 that his LDS mother told him it would have been better for her if he had been born dead (i.e. stillborn) rather than live and grow up and be gay. [14] :17 [15]

In the late 1990s psychiatrist Jeffery R. Jensen [33] directed his presentations' comments to church leaders and LDS Family Services stating that "far too many of our lesbian and gay youths kill themselves because of what you say about them," and "those who believe your false promises and remain celibate in the hopes of eventual 'cure' are consigned to a misery." [34] [35] Soon after, the American Psychiatric Association disavowed therapy trying to change sexual orientation as ineffective and destructive, and current publications find that these efforts can be very harmful. [36] [37]

Sexual orientation or gender identity conversion efforts

Church leaders taught for decades that members could and should try to "turn off" gay attractions through means including personal righteousness. [38] These teachings were taken to heart by many adherents as a 2015 survey of 1,612 LGBT Mormons and former Mormons found that 73% of men and 43% of women had attempted sexual orientation change, usually through multiple methods across many years. [39] :5 LGBTQ youth who have undergone sexual orientation or gender identity conversion efforts (SOGICE) are more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide and more than 2.5 times as likely to report multiple suicide attempts in the past year according to a 2020 survey of over 30,000 teen and young adult LGBTQ individuals. [37] [40] :1222–1223 The study also found that greater levels of family religiosity are associated with increased attempts at SOGICE, and three-fourths of respondents who had undergone SOGICE reported parents using religion to say negative things about being LGBTQ. [40] :1225 Another study of 245 LGBTQ young adults found those who reported both parent-initiated attempts to convince them to change, and formal efforts by others (e.g. church clergy) were 5 times more likely to report suicide attempts than those who reported no change attempts or conversion efforts. [40] :1221–1222

Responses

Apostle Todd Christofferson's gay brother Tom stated that he was "quite surprised" that he was still gay after serving his mission having believed church teachings that through righteous effort God would remove same-sex attractions. [14] :26 Former bishop Robert Rees stated in 2016 that he counseled many gay members who followed church leader promises about changing their sexual orientation via missions, temple attendance, and scripture reading, and when change didn't came they often blamed themselves for not being righteous enough and this led to many attempted and successful suicides. [14] :26–27 LDS author Carol Lynn Pearson whose husband came out as gay many years into their marriage stated that, "to me it is clear that many suicides among young Mormon homosexuals, as well as gay people in other religions, can be traced directly to a hostile social and religious environment." [41]

Changes in teachings on change efforts

LDS church leaders explicitly promoted therapy attempts to change sexual orientation in the past, but have recently shifted away from those previous views. [42] :17–20 A church leader did not take a position on conversion therapy when asked in 2006. [43] [42] :17–20 Church leaders began explicitly stating that same-sex physical attractions were not a choice in 2012 [42] :21 and stating that therapy focusing on a change in sexual orientation was unethical in 2016. [44]

Church leader teachings on suicide

Church teachings on suicide have changed through the years. [45] One of the earliest recorded explicit mentions by a top church leader was by George Q. Cannon in the First Presidency who stated in an 1893 editorial to LDS youth that "Every member of the Church should be made to understand that it is a dreadful sin to take one's own life. It is self-murder ...." [46] He echoed this stating, "They who do so are guilty of murder, self-murder it is true ... no one can destroy so precious a gift as that of life without incurring a severe penalty." [47] [48] [45] Cannon recorded that the First Presidency decided those who died by suicide would not receive an honorable burial in their LDS temple robes as was customary for endowed members. [49] In 1987 the apostle M. Russell Ballard also stated that those who die by suicide have "committed a very serious sin, and some consequences of it may remain with them throughout eternity." [50] Church seventy Bruce R. McConkie wrote in his highly influential LDS bestseller [51] [52] [14] :16 Mormon Doctrine that "Suicide is murder, pure and simple, and murderers are damned." [53] :12 [54] [55] In the 2011 LDS Beliefs: A Doctrinal Reference published by the church, the section on suicide called it "self-murder" and stated that, "modern prophets and apostles have likewise spoken clearly about the seriousness of murder, including self-murder and the severity of consequences associated therewith." [56]

The LDS Church released a statement through spokesman Dale Jones on 28 January 2016 mourning the reported suicides of 32 LGBT Mormons. The release stated that leaders and members are taught to "reach out in an active, caring way to all, especially to youth who feel estranged or isolated." [16] [7] On 9 February 2016 when apostle Dallin H. Oaks was asked about church leaders and members' responsibility for the treatment of LGBT individuals that may have precipitated in suicides he stated "that's a question that will be answered on judgment day" and that "nobody is sadder about a case like that than I am." [57]

Church suicide prevention efforts

In June 2016 the church published its official Mental Health website [58] followed shortly in September 2016 by its official Preventing Suicide website. [59] In August 2017, the LDS Church supported the LoveLoud Festival, a concert event at Utah Valley University raising money for charities which support LGBTQ youth. [60] In April 2018, the LDS Church donated $150,000 to the state of Utah to aid in suicide prevention. [61] In July 2018, the LDS Church donated $25,000 to the LGBT advocacy group Affirmation: LGBT Mormons, Families & Friends to aid in worldwide suicide prevention training. [62]

Publicized instances of suicide

Below are a few media-reported suicides of LGBT individuals from Mormon backgrounds, with the year of death noted in parentheses.

Latter-day Saint LGBT suicide attempts and ideation

Suicide attempts and ideation have been experienced by many LGBT Latter-day Saints. In a 2015 survey of 92 LGBTQ BYU students done by USGA, 52% had at some point considered self-harm. [7] Below is a list of a at one time LDS-affiliated LGBTQ individuals who reported serious suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families, & Friends</span>

Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families, & Friends is an international organization for individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, queer, intersex, or same-sex attracted, and their family members, friends, and church leaders who are members or former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sexuality has a prominent role within the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In its standards for sexual behavior called the law of chastity, top LDS leaders bar all premarital sex, all homosexual sexual activity, the viewing of pornography, masturbation, and overtly sexual kissing, dancing, and touch outside marriage. LDS Leaders teach that gender is defined in premortal life, and that part of the purpose of mortal life is for men and women to be sealed together in heterosexual marriages, progress eternally after death as gods together, and produce spiritual children in the afterlife. The church states that sexual relations within the framework of monogamous opposite-sex marriage are healthy, necessary, and approved by God. The LDS denomination of Mormonism places great emphasis on the sexual behavior of Mormon adherents, as a commitment to follow the law of chastity is required for baptism, adherence is required to receive a temple recommend, and is part of the temple endowment ceremony covenants devout participants promise by oath to keep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span> Non-heterosexual sexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints

All homosexual sexual activity is condemned as sinful by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in its law of chastity, and the church teaches that God does not approve of same-sex marriage. Adherents who participate in same-sex sexual behavior may face church discipline. Members of the church who experience homosexual attractions, including those who self-identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual remain in good standing in the church if they abstain from same-sex marriage and any homosexual sexual activity or sexual relationships outside an opposite-sex marriage. However, all people, including those in same-sex relationships and marriages, are permitted to attend the weekly Sunday meetings.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been subject to criticism and sometimes discrimination since its inception.

North Star Saints is an organization for LGBT people in the Latter-day Saint community. North Star is described as a faith-affirming resource for Latter-day Saint people addressing sexual orientation and gender identity who desire to live in line with teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. North Star supports the teaching of the LDS Church including the law of chastity and teachings on homosexuality, which prohibits sexual relationships outside of a legal marriage between one man and one woman, as well as teachings on gender identity and expression. The organization takes "no official position on the origin or mutability of homosexual attractions or gender identity incongruence", and does not "endorse political causes or join political coalitions, including those officially sanctioned by the [LDS] Church."

Students identifying as LGBTQIA+ have a long, documented history at Brigham Young University (BYU), and have experienced a range of treatment by other students and school administrators over the decades. Large surveys of over 7,000 BYU students in 2020 and 2017 found that over 13% had marked their sexual orientation as something other than "strictly heterosexual", while the other survey showed that .2% had reported their gender identity as transgender or something other than cisgender male or female. BYU is the largest religious university in North America and is the flagship institution of the educational system of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints —Mormonism's largest denomination.

Although the historical record is often scarce, evidence points to LGBT individuals having existed in the Mormon community since its beginnings, and estimates of the number of LGBT former and current Mormons range from 4 to 10% of the total membership of the LDS Church. However, it wasn't until the late 1950s that top LDS leaders began regularly discussing LGBT people in public addresses. Since the 1970s a greater number of LGBT individuals with Mormon connections have received media coverage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gender minorities and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span>

Transgender people and other gender minorities currently face membership restrictions in access to priesthood and temple rites in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints —Mormonism's largest denomination. Church leaders have taught gender roles as an important part of their doctrine since its founding. Only recently have they begun directly addressing gender diversity and the experiences of transgender, non-binary, intersex, and other gender minorities whose gender identity and expression differ from the cisgender majority.

This is a timeline of LGBT Mormon history in the first half of the 20th century, part of a series of timelines consisting of events, publications, and speeches about LGBTQ+ individuals, topics around sexual orientation and gender minorities, and the community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although the historical record is often scarce, evidence points to queer individuals having existed in the Mormon community since its beginnings. However, top LDS leaders only started regularly addressing queer topics in public in the late 1950s. Since 1970, the LDS Church has had at least one official publication or speech from a high-ranking leader referencing LGBT topics every year, and a greater number of LGBT Mormon and former Mormon individuals have received media coverage.

This is a timeline of LGBT Mormon history in the 2020s, part of a series of timelines consisting of events, publications, and speeches about LGBTQ+ individuals, topics around sexual orientation and gender minorities, and the community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual orientation change efforts and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span> LDS Church stances on attempting changes to homosexuality

Because of its ban against same-sex sexual activity and same-sex marriage the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a long history of teaching that its adherents who are attracted to the same sex can and should attempt to alter their feelings through righteous striving and sexual orientation change efforts. Reparative therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual, or their gender identity from transgender to cisgender using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions. There is no reliable evidence that such practices can alter sexual orientation or gender identity, and many medical institutions warn that conversion therapy is ineffective and potentially harmful.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been involved with many pieces of legislation relating to LGBT people and their rights. These include playing an important role in defeating same-sex marriage legalization in Hawaii, Alaska, Nebraska, Nevada, California, and Utah. The topic of same-sex marriage has been one of the church's foremost public concerns since 1993. Leaders have stated that it will become involved in political matters if it perceives that there is a moral issue at stake and wields considerable influence on a national level. Over a dozen members of the US congress had membership in the church in the early 2000s. About 80% of Utah state lawmakers identied as Mormon at that time as well. The church's political involvement around LGBT rights has long been a source of controversy both within and outside the church. It's also been a significant cause of disagreement and disaffection by members.

This is a timeline of LGBT Mormon history in the 1950s, part of a series of timelines consisting of events, publications, and speeches about LGBTQ+ individuals, topics around sexual orientation and gender minorities, and the community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although the historical record is often scarce, evidence points to queer individuals having existed in the Mormon community since its beginnings. However, top LDS leaders only started regularly addressing queer topics in public in the late 1950s. Since 1970, the LDS Church has had at least one official publication or speech from a high-ranking leader referencing LGBT topics every year, and a greater number of LGBT Mormon and former Mormon individuals have received media coverage.

This is a timeline of LGBT Mormon history in the 1970s, part of a series of timelines consisting of events, publications, and speeches about LGBTQ+ individuals, topics around sexual orientation and gender minorities, and the community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although the historical record is often scarce, evidence points to queer individuals having existed in the Mormon community since its beginnings. However, top LDS leaders only started regularly addressing queer topics in public in the late 1950s. Since 1970, the LDS Church has had at least one official publication or speech from a high-ranking leader referencing LGBT topics every year, and a greater number of LGBT Mormon and former Mormon individuals have received media coverage.

This is a timeline of LGBT Mormon history in the 1980s, part of a series of timelines consisting of events, publications, and speeches about LGBTQ+ individuals, topics around sexual orientation and gender minorities, and the community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although the historical record is often scarce, evidence points to queer individuals having existed in the Mormon community since its beginnings. However, top LDS leaders only started regularly addressing queer topics in public in the late 1950s. Since 1970, the LDS Church has had at least one official publication or speech from a high-ranking leader referencing LGBT topics every year, and a greater number of LGBT Mormon and former Mormon individuals have received media coverage.

This is a timeline of LGBT Mormon history in the 1990s, part of a series of timelines consisting of events, publications, and speeches about LGBTQ+ individuals, topics around sexual orientation and gender minorities, and the community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although the historical record is often scarce, evidence points to queer individuals having existed in the Mormon community since its beginnings. However, top LDS leaders only started regularly addressing queer topics in public in the late 1950s. Since 1970, the LDS Church has had at least one official publication or speech from a high-ranking leader referencing LGBT topics every year, and a greater number of LGBT Mormon and former Mormon individuals have received media coverage.

This is a timeline of LGBT Mormon history in the first decade of the 2000s, part of a series of timelines consisting of events, publications, and speeches about LGBTQ+ individuals, topics around sexual orientation and gender minorities, and the community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This is a timeline of LGBT Mormon history in the 2010s, part of a series of timelines consisting of events, publications, and speeches about LGBTQ+ individuals, topics around sexual orientation and gender minorities, and the community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Below is a timeline of major events, media, and people at the intersection of LGBT topics and Brigham Young University (BYU). BYU is the largest university of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Before 1959 there was little explicit mention of homosexuality by BYU administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of teachings on homosexuality in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span> Mormon teachings on homosexuality

Homosexuality has been publicly discussed by top leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints —Mormonism's largest denomination—since the late 1800s. The frequency of teachings on same-sex sexual activity increased starting in the late 1950s. Most discussion focuses on male homosexuality and rarely mentions lesbianism or bisexuality. Below is a timeline of notable speeches, publications, and policies in the LDS church on the topic of homosexuality.

References

  1. "Building Bridges: LGBT Populations: A Dialogue on Advancing Opportunities for Recovery from Addictions and Mental Health Problems" (PDF). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2013. pp. 1–3.
  2. Fletcher Stack, Peggy (March 15, 2014). "Program aims to stop suicide, homelessness in LGBT Mormon youth". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  3. Christensen, Jen (June 28, 2023). "Transgender people face significantly higher suicide risk, Danish study finds". CNN . Retrieved February 10, 2024. The study of more than 6.6 million people found that those who identified as trans had 7.7 times the rate of suicide attempts and 3.5 times the rate of suicide deaths than the broader Danish population.
  4. Meyer, Ilan H.; Northridge, Mary E. (2007). Meyer, Ilan H.; Northridge, Mary E. (eds.). The Health of Sexual Minorities (1 ed.). US: Springer Publishing. pp. 242–247. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-31334-4. ISBN   978-0-387-31334-4 via Internet Archive.
  5. Knoll, Benjamin (2016). "Youth Suicide Rates and Mormon Religious Context: An Additional Empirical Analysis" (PDF). Dialogue . 42 (2).
  6. Hilton, Sterling C.; Fellingham, Gilbert W.; Lyon, Joseph L. (2002). "Suicide Rates and Religious Commitment in Young Adult Males in Utah". American Journal of Epidemiology . 155 (5): 413–419. doi: 10.1093/aje/155.5.413 . PMID   11867352.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Olsen, Jessica (January 20, 2017). "Timeline". The Daily Universe . BYU . Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 Galliher, Renee; Bradshaw, William; Dehlin, John; Crowelle, Katherine (April 25, 2014). "Psychosocial Correlates of Religious Approaches to Same-Sex Attraction: A Mormon Perspective". Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health . 18 (3): 301,304. doi:10.1080/19359705.2014.912970. S2CID   144153586. The major findings from the study are that non-biologically based views regarding the etiology of SSA [same-sex attraction], remaining active in the LDS Church, remaining single, and engaging in mixed-orientation marriages were all associated with higher reported levels of internalized homophobia, sexual identity distress, and depression, and lower levels of self-esteem and quality of life. ... This study does affirm and extend the existing literature by suggesting that psychosocially based beliefs about SSA etiology active participation in non-LGBT-affirming churches, being single and celibate, and mixed-orientation marriage—all of which are common beliefs and/or practices within modern, active LDS culture—are associated with poorer psychosocial health, well-being, and quality of life for LGBT Mormons. Conversely, biological beliefs about SSA etiology, complete disaffiliation from the LDS Church, legal same-sex marriage, and sexual activity are all associated with higher levels of psychosocial health, well-being, and quality of life for LGBT Mormons.
  9. 1 2 Simmons, Brian (December 2017). Coming out Mormon: An examination of religious orientation, spiritual trauma, and PTSD among Mormon and ex-Morman LGBTQQA adults (PDF) (Master of Social Work thesis). University of Georgia. p. 99. Therefore, data from this study would indicate that LDS teachings and beliefs are often experienced as spiritually damaging to LGBTQQA members and former members. Similarly, the study respondents presented as having substantial PTSD symptomology related to their experiences within Mormonism, with approximately three-quarters (73.4%, n=204) likely meeting criteria for associated PTSD diagnosis during their lifetime. This prevalence is far above the 8% estimated for the U.S. population.
  10. 1 2 Simmons, Brian (December 2017). Coming out Mormon: An examination of religious orientation, spiritual trauma, and PTSD among Mormon and ex-Morman LGBTQQA adults (PDF) (Master of Social Work thesis). University of Georgia. Abstract. The majority of [the 278 survey] participants (85.6%) were raised in an LDS family and half (51.8%) indicated they still attend LDS services at least monthly. On average, participants identified 13.8 religious beliefs, teachings, or experiences as 'damaging' or 'extremely damaging.' A majority of participants (89.2%) likely met criteria for PTSD diagnosis related to their religious experiences. ... Overall, the findings of this study indicate LGBTQQA Mormon and ex-Mormon adults experience a substantial amount of spiritual trauma and PTSD related to their religious experiences.
  11. 1 2 Minkoff, Kenneth; Bergman, Eric; Beck, Aaron; Beck, Roy (April 1, 2006). "Hopelessness, Depression, and Attempted Suicide". The American Journal of Psychiatry . 130 (4): 455–9. doi:10.1176/ajp.130.4.455. PMID   4691303. S2CID   29924410. We also found a significant positive correlation between depression and [suicidal] intent in the total sample, especially in the depressed group. The latter results replicates the findings of Silver and his co-workers (10) in a similar study [DOI:10.1001/archpsyc.1971.01750180093015]; 90 percent of their sample consisted of depressed patients and they also found a significant positive correlation between depression and intent.
  12. 1 2 Krysinska, Karolina; Lester, David (January 27, 2010). "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Suicide Risk: A Systematic Review". Archives of Suicide Research . 14 (1): 1–23. doi:10.1080/13811110903478997. PMID   20112140. S2CID   10827703. A meta-analysis of 50 articles that examined the association between PTSD and past and current suicidal ideation and behavior was conducted. ... PTSD was associated with an increased incidence of prior attempted suicide and prior and current suicidal ideation. ... The evidence indicates that there is an association between PTSD and suicidality with several factors ....
  13. 1 2 Ford, Julian D.; Gómez, Jennifer M. (April 15, 2015). "The Relationship of Psychological Trauma and Dissociative and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders to Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Suicidality: A Review". Journal of Trauma & Dissociation . 16 (3): 232–271. doi:10.1080/15299732.2015.989563. PMID   25758363. S2CID   29007106. Dissociative disorders and PTSD are consistently associated with increased NSSI [nonsuicidal self-injury] and SA/SI [suicidal ideation and suicide attempts].
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Prince, Gregory A. (2019). Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press. ISBN   9781607816638 via Google Books.
  15. 1 2 Mayne, Mitch (June 14, 2012). "A Way Out of Danger for Mormon Youth". The Advocate . Pride Publishing Inc.
  16. 1 2 Walch, Tad; Collins, Lois M. (January 28, 2016). "LDS Church leaders mourn reported deaths in Mormon LGBT community". Deseret News . LDS Church . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  17. "Suicide Memorial". affirmation.org. Affirmation. Archived from the original on January 17, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2016 via Internet Archive.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. "Forum Discusses Suicide Prevention Among Mormons" (PDF). Sunstone . No. 125. December 2002. p. 79.
  19. Corcoran, Brent; O'Donovan, Rocky (1994). Multiply and Replenish: Mormon Essays on Sex and Family. Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books. p. 156. ISBN   978-1560850502 . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  20. McQueen, Robert (August 13, 1975). "Outside the Temple Gates-The Gay Mormon". The Advocate . p. 14. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2016 via Affirmation.
  21. 1 2 Joyner, Kara; Russell, Stephen T. (August 2001). "Adolescent Sexual Orientation and Suicide Risk: Evidence From a National Study". American Journal of Public Health . 91 (8): 1276–81. doi:10.2105/ajph.91.8.1276. PMC   1446760 . PMID   11499118.
  22. O'Donnell, Jayne; Saker, Anne (March 19, 2018). "Teen suicide is soaring. Do spotty mental health and addiction treatment share blame?". USA Today.
  23. 1 2 Annor, Francis; Wilkinson, Amanda; Zwald, Marissa (2017). Undetermined Risk Factors for Suicide among Youth Aged 10-17 years–Utah, 2017 (PDF). Utah Department of Health.
  24. "It's Time for Us All to Do Something about Suicide—Together". affirmation.org. Affirmation. July 10, 2018.
  25. 1 2 McGraw, James S.; Docherty, Meagan; Chinn, Jay R.; Mahoney, Annette (October 7, 2021). "Family, faith, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among LGBTQ youth in Utah". Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity . 10 (2): 257–268. doi:10.1037/sgd0000517. ISSN   2329-0390. S2CID   241551156.
  26. Dyer, W. Justin; Goodman, Michael A. (2022). "Religious Affiliation's Association with Suicidality across Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities". Religions . 13 (10). Basel, Switzerland: MDPI: 11. doi: 10.3390/rel13100932 .
  27. 1 2 Campbell Bernards, Julia (December 2022). 'This Whole Journey was Sacred': Latter-day Saint Parents' Process in Coming to Accept a Transgender Child (Doctor of Philosophy thesis). BYU. p. 15.
  28. Edmonds-Allen, Marian (February 3, 2016). "Suicides or Not, LDS Is Harming LGBT Youth". The Advocate . Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  29. Oakley, Blake (August 3, 2016). "LDS LGBT Suicides On The Rise: Can the LDS Church do more?". UVU Review . Utah Valley University . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  30. Greene, David (July 7, 2016). "Mama Dragons Try To Prevent Suicides Among Mormon-LGBT Children". NPR . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  31. Fletcher Stack, Peggy (January 28, 2016). "Suicide fears, if not actual suicides, rise in wake of Mormon same-sex policy". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  32. Dodson, Braley (November 11, 2016). "LGBT BYU students fighting suicide while facing unique mental health challenges". Daily Herald . Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  33. "Dr. Jeffery Jensen MD". health.usnews.com. U.S. News & World Report via Internet Archive.
  34. Jensen, Jeffrey R. (1997). We See What We Believe: The Heterosexualization of Gay Men and Lesbians in the LDS Church (Speech). Sunstone Symposium. Washington D.C.: Sunstone. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023 via Internet Archive.
  35. Jensen, Jeffrey R. (1996). Homosexuality: A Psychiatrist's Response to LDS Social Services (Speech). Sunstone Symposium. Sunstone. Archived from the original on January 9, 2006 via Affirmation.
  36. "American Psychiatric Association Rebukes Reparative Therapy". sciencesources.eurekalert.org. American Association for the Advancement of Science. December 14, 1998.
  37. 1 2 Fish, Jessica N.; Russell, Stephen T. (August 2020). "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts are Unethical and Harmful". American Journal of Public Health . 110 (8): 1113–1114. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2020.305765. PMC   7349462 . PMID   32639919. With substantial evidence of serious harms associated with exposure to [sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE)] particularly for minors, 21 states (and multiple cities and counties) have passed bipartisan laws or regulations prohibiting SOGICE. ... Furthermore, compared with LGBTQ youths with no exposure, those exposed to SOGICE showed 1.76 times greater odds of seriously considering suicide, 2.23 times greater odds of having attempted suicide, and 2.54 times greater odds of multiple suicide attempts in the previous year.
  38. Galliher, Renee; Bradshaw, William; Hyde, Daniel; Dehlin, John; Crowell, Katherine (April 2015). "Sexual orientation change efforts among current or former LDS church members". Journal of Counseling Psychology . 62 (2): 95–105. doi:10.1037/cou0000011. PMID   24635593. The LDS church ... has historically both condemned same-sex sexuality as sinful and explicitly encouraged its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) members to attempt sexual orientation change. While the LDS church has somewhat softened its stance toward LGBTQ individuals in recent years, it continues to communicate to its LGBTQ members that sexual orientation change is possible through various means including prayer, personal righteousness, faith in Jesus Christ, psychotherapy, group therapy, and group retreats.
  39. Galliher, Renee; Bradshaw, William; Hyde, Daniel; Dehlin, John; Crowell, Katherine (April 2015). "Sexual orientation change efforts among current or former LDS church members". Journal of Counseling Psychology . 62 (2): 95–105. doi:10.1037/cou0000011. PMID   24635593.
  40. 1 2 3 Green, Amy; Price-Feeney, Myeshia; Dorison, Samuel; Pick, Casey (August 2020). "Self-Reported Conversion Efforts and Suicidality Among US LGBTQ Youths and Young Adults, 2018". American Journal of Public Health . 110 (8): 1221–1227. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2020.305701. PMC   7349447 . PMID   2552019. S2CID   219911037.
  41. Pearson, Carol Lynn (2007). No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagons Around Our Gay Loved Ones. Pivot Point Books. p. 37. ISBN   9780963885241 via Google Books.
  42. 1 2 3 Prince, Gregory A. (September 27, 2017). "Science vs. Dogma: Biology Challenges the LDS Paradigm of Homosexuality" (PDF). thc.utah.edu. University of Utah Tanner Humanities Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 28, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2017 via Internet Archive. Video of the presentation. Transcript also available here via Encircle.
  43. "Interview With Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman: "Same-Gender Attraction"". Mormon Newsroom . LDS Church. April 2006. If a young man says, "Look, I really want these [homosexual] feelings to go away... I would do anything for these feelings to go away," is it legitimate to look at clinical therapy of some sort that would address those issues? Well, it may be appropriate for that person to seek therapy. Certainly the Church doesn't counsel against that kind of therapy. The Church rarely takes a position on which treatment techniques are appropriate."
  44. "Seeking Professional Help". mormonandgay.lds.org. LDS Church . Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  45. 1 2 Christiansen, Barbara (September 20, 2015). "Church teachings on suicide have changed through the years". Daily Herald .
  46. Cannon, George (June 1, 1893). "Editorial Thoughts". Juvenile Instructor . Vol. 28, no. 11. p. 352 via Internet Archive.
  47. Newquist, Jerreld L. (1974). Gospel Truth; Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon: Vol. 1. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. p. 30. ISBN   9780877475194.
  48. Satterfield, Bruce K. "Teachings Concerning The Telestial Glory" (PDF). byui.edu. BYU-Idaho. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2021 via Internet Archive.
  49. Cannon, George Q. "The Journal of George Q. Cannon: June 1894". churchhistorianspress.org. Church History Department of the LDS Church.
  50. Ballard, Russell. "Suicide: Some Things We Know, and Some We Do Not". Ensign . LDS Church.
  51. Fletcher Stack, Peggy (May 21, 2010). "Landmark 'Mormon Doctrine' goes out of print". Salt Lake Tribune . Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2020 via Internet Archive.
  52. Prince, Gregory; Wm. Robert Wright (2005). "Free Agency and Tolerance". David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism . University of Utah Press. pp. 50–53. ISBN   0-87480-822-7 via Google Books.
  53. Pugmire, Genelle (September 30, 2018). "Church doctrine vs. 'Mormon Doctrine': What's the difference?". Doctrine vs. Culture: How the LDS Church's past policies have changed as it goes global. Provo, UT: Daily Herald. p. 12.
  54. Bush, Lester E. (1993). Health and Medicine Among the Latter-day Saints Science, Sense, and Scripture . New York City: Crossroad. p. 137. ISBN   9780824512194 via Google Books.
  55. McConkie, Bruce (1958). Mormon Doctrine (1st ed.). Salt Lake City, Ut.: Bookcraft. p. 696. ISBN   9780884940623 via Google Books.
  56. LDS Beliefs: A Doctrinal Reference. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. 2011. p. 607. ISBN   9781609080594 via Google Books.
  57. Curtis, Larry D. (February 14, 2016). "LDS apostle speaks about church responsibility in Mormon LGBT suicides for first time". CBS. KUTV . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  58. West, Camille (June 21, 2016). "Church Adds New Mental Health Resources on LDS.org" (Press release). LDS Church . Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  59. Walch, Tad (September 8, 2016). "LDS Church launches 'Preventing Suicide' website during National Suicide Prevention Week". LDS Church. Deseret News . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  60. Jones, Morgan (August 16, 2017). "LDS Church issues statement of support for LGBTQ concert event". Deseret News . Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  61. Williams, Carter (April 25, 2018). "Herbert signs 8 bills for suicide prevention in Utah". KSL.com . Deseret Digital Media. LDS Church . Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  62. Ormond, Jordan (July 11, 2018). "LDS Church donates 25K to LGBT advocacy group in effort to prevent suicide". KSL.com . Deseret Digital Media. LDS Church . Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  63. "Davis Man Found Dead in Vehicle". Standard-Examiner . Ogden, Utah. March 10, 1976. p. 11A. Carlyle D. Marsden was found in his car along Nichols Road dead from a pistol wound of the chest.
  64. Weist, Larry (March 16, 1976). "Homosexual Suspects Arrested in Utah County". Daily Herald . p. 1. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Eight men were arraigned in the Pleasant Grove Precinct Justice Court Monday afternoon on charges of lewdness and sodomy stemming from alleged homosexual activity at the two rest stops on I-15 north of Orem. ... Two of the suspects were arrested and charged with an act of sodomy. One of them, a 54-year-old Salt Lake County man, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest two days after his arrest, according to Serge Moore, state medical examiner.
  65. Weist, Larry (March 16, 1976). "Homosexual Suspects Arrested in Utah County". Daily Herald . p. 4. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017 via Newspapers.com. Funeral services for Carlyle D. Marsden, 54, of 1388 Nichols Road, Fruit Heights, who died Monday, March 8, 1976, will be Friday at 10 a.m. in the Kaysville 11th-14th LDS Ward Chapel ... Mr. Marsden was a music teacher at Eisenhower Junior High School and at Brigham Young University.
  66. "Carlyle D. Marsden (1921-1976)". Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons. December 29, 2011. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013 via Internet Archive.
  67. Warchol, Glen (June 30, 1986). "Prevalence of AIDS Cited Among Mormons". Cumberland Evening Times. Cumberland, Maryland. United Press International. p. 12. Retrieved May 21, 2017 via NewspaperArchive.
  68. Self, Alisha (May 22, 2010). "Bread and Blue". Park Record . Park City, Utah. Swift Communications. p. 28 via University of Utah.
  69. Samuels, Diana (February 25, 2010). "Memorial held for gay Mormon who committed suicide in Los Altos". The Mercury News . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  70. Moore, Carrie A. "Alone in the fold: Many LDS gays struggle to cling to faith despite their yearnings". LDS Church. Deseret News . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  71. 1 2 "Proposition 22 Dominates Wards' Attention, Divides Members" (PDF). Sunstone . No. 118. April 2001. p. 90. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  72. "Henry Stuart Matis". affirmation.org. Affirmation. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2016 via Internet Archive.
  73. 1 2 Miller, Mark (May 7, 2000). "To Be Gay - And Mormon". Newsweek . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  74. Matis, Stuart (February 21, 2000). "Letter to the editor: Don't stereotype gay people". The Daily Universe . BYU . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  75. Nickerson, James (February 16, 2000). "Embrace All Types of People". Daily Universe . BYU . Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  76. "Proposition 22 Dominates Wards' Attention, Divides Members" (PDF). Sunstone . No. 118. April 2001. pp. 90, 92. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  77. 1 2 Matis, Fred; Matis, Marilyn; Mansfield, Ty (2004). In Quiet Desperation. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book. ISBN   978-1590383315 . Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  78. Besen, Wayne (October 3, 2003). Anything but Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth. Routledge. ISBN   978-1560234463 via Google Books.
  79. "Brian DJ Hyer Thompson". affirmation.org. Affirmation. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  80. Thompson, DJ. "DJ Thompson's Final Goodbye". affirmation.org. Affirmation. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2016 via Internet Archive.
  81. "Clay Douglass Whitmer". affirmation.org. Affirmation. June 25, 2009. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2016 via Internet Archive.
  82. Brooks, Joanna (September 30, 2011). "Suicide Leads to Calls for Improved Treatment of LGBTQ Mormons". Religion Dispatches . University of Southern California.
  83. Ethington, Eric (September 22, 2011). "Gay Mormon, excommunicated from his church, commits suicide". LGBTQ Nation .
  84. "Mountain, Green Utah". bestplaces.net. Sperling's Best Places . Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  85. Henetz, Patty (May 1, 2012). "Teen's suicide spurs community to face gay bullying in northern Utah". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  86. Dobner, Jennifer (May 7, 2012). "Gay teen's suicide in Utah highlights youth bullying risks". Reuters . Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  87. Jackson, Lauren (July 19, 2016). "Devotion and despair: The lonely struggle of a gay Mormon". CNN . Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  88. Lindsay, Carol (June 7, 2012). "Weber High senior honored for accepting all students". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  89. Shaw, Mitch (April 10, 2016). "After Utah LGBT advocate's suicide, community recalls his passion, kindness". Standard-Examiner . Ogden, Utah. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  90. Gohl, Cody (April 12, 2016). "22-Year-Old Gay Mormon, Beloved Activist, Commits Suicide". NewNowNext. Logo TV . Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  91. "Braxton David Taylor". Standard-Examiner . Ogden, Utah. September 27, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  92. McKitrick, Kathy (September 30, 2016). "Utah Senate candidate under fire for anti-gay Facebook comments". Standard-Examiner . Ogden, Utah. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  93. Rolly, Paul (October 8, 2016). "Utah County Senate candidate is representing God. What's new?". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  94. "Thanks to Jason Christensen, life just got harder for every LGBT youth in Utah". Standard-Examiner . Ogden, Utah. October 4, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  95. Salinger, Tobias (September 30, 2016). "Utah candidate says gay teen who committed suicide guilty of 'the sins of homosexuality and the sins of murder'". New York Daily News . Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  96. Rodriguez, Matthew (October 2016). "Utah Senate candidate Jason Christensen calls alleged gay teen suicide a "murder"". Mic . Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  97. Believer. HBO. June 25, 2018. Event occurs at 46:13.
  98. Saberi, Roxana; Tom, Brittany (June 30, 2015). "Mormon Mama Dragons make life easier for young LGBT people". Al Jazeera English.
  99. "I Choose Love: Standing for Stockton". University of Utah College of Nursing. May 13, 2018. Stockton, now 16, said that since he has come out, many church members have stopped talking to him and excluded him from events. 'We have Scout camp annually, and some moms said, 'If he goes, I don't want my child to go, because what if he's going to do something?' ... It's hurtful,' he said. Deussen said this hurts her too. 'I break down when my son tells me why he can't have friends ... What's so wrong with him that they don't want to be his friend?' she said. 'I break down when he tells me his friends say, 'You can hang out with me, but if my parents find out you're gay, I can't hang out with you anymore.' '
  100. Burke, Paul C.; Tolman, Brett L.; Mackay, John W. (December 2, 2016). "A gay-straight alliance may have saved this teen's life, and all Utah schools should have them". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  101. Woodruff, Daniel (March 15, 2016). "New book details LDS teen's 'humiliating' gay conversion therapy in Utah". CBS. KUTV . Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  102. Lindsey, Robert (October 30, 1986). "Utah Now Facing Problem of AIDS: Disease Is Occurring Despite Strict Mormon Teachings About Sexual Conduct". The New York Times . p. A19. ProQuest   111005850. ... Davyd Daniels, a former Mormon who said that when he was 12 years old he tried to commit suicide because he could not deal with the conflicts between his homosexual urges and the guilt he said the church imposed on him because of its renunciation of homosexuality. 'You can't believe the guilt,' he said. 'We have people committing suicide all the time because they can't handle it,' said Ben Barr, assistant director of a group largely composed of homosexuals that organized 'AIDS Awareness Week.'
  103. Wright, John (July 23, 2003). "Gay Mormons". The Herald Journal . Logan, Utah: Pioneer News Group . Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  104. Nasir, Omar. "The Photographer Levi Jackman Foster Talks 'Follow'". Gayletter .
  105. Ainley, Nathaniel (December 18, 2016). "Levi Jackman Foster's 'State of the Union' photograph garnered over 12,000 Likes on social media". Vice.
  106. Range McDonald, Patrick (November 12, 2008). "The Ex-Mormon Factor". LA Weekly.
  107. Abrams, Sean (February 15, 2017). "What It's Like Growing Up Gay And Mormon". Elite Daily . DMG Media. Levi feared immediate criticism and rejection from his family and friends the moment he'd concluded he was 'different.' ... 'When I first discovered I was gay at 15, there were a good six months that it was dark. I had suicidal thoughts, tried to pray the gay away.' ... 'I tried doing 'Evergreen,' which is a Latter-day Saints-sponsored conversion therapy clinic. I met with counselors, kind of like AA a little bit, but it doesn't work.'
  108. Azzopardi, Chris (August 12, 2016). "Tyler Glenn Opens Up About Mormon-Provoked Suicide Struggle ('It Freaked Me Out'), Being 'Unapologetically' Gay & Lady Gaga's Validation". Between the Lines . No. 2440. Pride Source Media Group. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  109. Stack, Peggy Fletcher (July 18, 2017). "After leading LDS congregations and designing Mormon temples, this Utah dad is building a new life—as a woman". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  110. Pugmire, Genelle (September 21, 2017). "Former LDS stake president, transgender woman to speak at Affirmation Conference". The Daily Herald .
  111. Rosman, Katherine (February 7, 2002). "Mormon Family Values". The Nation . Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  112. Armstrong, Jamie (November 7, 2016). "Michael McLean Opens Up About His 9-Year Faith Crisis and How He Found His Testimony Again". LDS Living . Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  113. Brown, Jennifer (September 25, 2015). "Alison's Story". The Denver Post . Their initial response to hormones was unequivocal: no way. ... Alison, meanwhile, became a recluse. It was the summer of long, solitary walks, of curling up in a ball, crying into her pillow. ... The pain was unbearable, and I just wanted it to end. I saw two endings to this.' In one of them, she did not survive. It came down to this question, ringing in Erik's head: 'Do you want a dead son who committed suicide, or do you want a new daughter?' ... It was a crisis of faith that left Alison open to feel and to discover her identity. Half a year before she considered that she was transgender, Alison began questioning her belief in the Mormon Church. ... Alison now says that 'being trans and being in the church is like being in an abusive relationship.'
  114. "'Families Are Forever': Trailer". ABC News. June 17, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  115. Renna, Cathy. ""Families are Forever" Shows the Journey of Devout Mormon Parents to Accept Young Gay Son". Family Acceptance Project. San Francisco State University . Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  116. McGowan, Kat (January 2, 2013). "Living a Lie". Psychology Today . Sussex Publishers, LLC. [H]is attraction to men was not fading. Shafer felt that he'd failed. "There's this sense that you're broken and you need to be fixed," he says. "That's what you internalize." He slid into depression. At times he even thought of suicide.
  117. Jackson, Lauren (September 24, 2018). "Why a former Mormon bishop was excommunicated for criticizing sexually explicit youth interviews". CNN .
  118. "Friends and Neighbors: A Community Divided Script". Salt Lake City, Utah: KUED. PBS. Archived from the original on July 25, 2001. Retrieved February 21, 2020 via Internet Archive. While studying in Japan, and after confiding to his ecclesiastical leaders that he is gay, Craig Watts was called before a church court and excommunicated. Craig wrote in his journal at the time: "It's early Sunday morning. I can't sleep. I'm in tears again for the third or fourth time since yesterday afternoon. Some of the most painful, confused tears I've ever cried, and I'm alone. I feel so alone. I thought of suicide again for the first time in a long time. ... Each person I talked to gave me something I needed to overcome the shock, the humiliation, the bitterness, the discouragement, the loneliness. ... However, unlike so many of my gay friends, I don't have to worry about excommunication from my family.