Leader of gay/lesbian Mormon group speaks

The Utah support group Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons requested a meeting with Latter-day Saint Church President Thomas S. Monson in a February letter to the LDS church. The letter called for better relations and counseling for "members who are homosexual."

Duane Jennings, president of the Utah chapter of "Affirmation," said the letter was an "olive branch." Jennings said he does not expect to actually meet with Monson.

Affirmation was started in 1977 and has chapters throughout the country and worldwide.

"We have engaged every president since our inception and haven't received a response yet," Jennings said. "We've gotten support from church social services for many years.

"… Homosexuals need a place that is family-centered. Many Affirmation members are in monogamous relationships with children either adopted or from previous marriages. People just want to be part of the religious lifestyle they grew up with."

In part, the letter was sent to open dialogue, because according to Jennings, many of Affirmation's members have strong ties to religion.

"When people get estranged from their church and their families," Jennings said, "sometimes it destroys them."

Samantha Hyde, Weber State University Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Vice president said she doesn't think the group will have any luck meeting with Monson, but that "every stand counts."

Hyde agreed with Jennings. She said it's easier to be gay at WSU then other Universities in the state.

"At BYU students can't even have a Gay Straight Alliance," Jennings said, "otherwise they can be expelled from school."

Hyde said she knows some, but not many, people at WSU who were raised Mormon and are openly gay.

WSU theater graduate Brett Palmer described himself as "queer." Palmer grew up in an LDS family who struggled with his lifestyle. He now works with Cirque de Soleil in Las Vegas, an entertainment empire based in Quebec that puts on such shows as "Zumanity" and "O."

"More than anything my family didn't want things to be difficult for me," Palmer said.

In response to Affirmation's letter, Palmer said, "It comes down to fundamental beliefs. They could work for more tolerance, but no matter what we're less human. Organized religion in general gives justification for prejudice."

Palmer said he wouldn't want to continue a relationship with an organization that doesn't approve of him.

"On the other hand," Palmer said, "being raised Mormon, it is part of who I am."

Rachel Cox, a WSU student who said she is "straight and Mormon," said, "Everything the church has said is loving to people who feel that way. I can't count how many times Hinckley said 'come back to us, we want you back.'

"If they want to meet with president Monson to clarify the church's position, then great, we love them. It's the sin not them."

According to Mormon doctrine, the practice of homosexuality is a sin, but having "same sex attraction" is not.

"You can't pick and choose what you want to believe," Cox said. "If you want to follow our church then you must follow all of our beliefs. God is constant and does not change with public opinion."

Jen Zion, an LDS student at WSU, said she has a "long history of LDS ancestors," and has a family member who is gay and has struggled with many aspects of his life, including juvenile detention and family estrangement.

"He has very little to do with the family now and has moved across the country," Zion said. "He's got things that need to heal inside of him."

Zion said she doubted Monson would meet with the group.

"Maybe the General Authority will meet with them to gain more understanding and healing," Zion said.

Cox said she believes people should not define themselves in terms of sexuality but as children of God in order to resolve inner conflict.

"You have to make a choice about who you are," Cox said.

To read the text of the Affirmation letter and for more information about homosexuals and also the LDS church, visit www.lds.org or www.affirmation.org. The WSU GSA meets on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. in The Student Union Building, Room 317, and is open to everyone.