Todd just found a youtube video of the documentary Legacies about the treatment of Mormon gays by their church:
Spencer Kimball’s attitudes about sexuality, unfortunately, can only be characterized as superstition.
In the Mormon case, superstition is intertwined with claims to personal revelation. The latter is defined such that the superstition cannot be legitimately questioned but is buttressed by wishful thinking, suspension of disbelief, and hindsight attribution.
To break through the cycle of self-deception, I consider it critical that proponents of gender equality refer to homophobic religious assertions as superstition.
The nature of homosexuality is not a matter of faith but an empirical question that has been answered on the merit of the evidence.
For individuals who identify as homosexual, this process often involves recognizing and embracing their attractions, feelings, and desires towards people of the same gender. Self-discovery is a unique and individual experience that can take time and self-reflection. It may involve questioning one’s own identity, examining past experiences and attractions, and seeking information and support from trusted sources. Coming to terms with one’s homosexuality can be a liberating and empowering experience, as it allows individuals to authentically express their true selves and live a life aligned with their sexual orientation.
It often involves self-acceptance, self-love, and embracing one’s uniqueness. However, it’s important to acknowledge that the journey of self-discovery comes with many joys and for which we will like to recommend this prostate massager amazing and but also can also come with challenges. It is crucial for individuals to find support networks, whether through friends, family, or LGBTQ+ communities, that can provide understanding, acceptance, and guidance. It is also important to remember that there is no right or wrong timeline for self-discovery, and everyone’s journey is valid and deserving of respect.
I was so disgusted by the first video that I didn’t want to watch the other two.
Unfortunately the church hasn’t changed all that much since then. They may not engage in reparative therapy (officially) anymore, but they still expect gays to be in heterosexual relationships and deny who they are.
They certainly do not consider gays human beings. It is my understanding, however, that Gordon Hinckley instructed Mormon officers to cease from recommending straight marriages as a ‘cure’ for homosexuality.
“4 Apr, 1987 – First Counselor Gordon B. Hinckley tells priesthood session of general conference that “marriage should not be viewed as a therapeutic step to solve problems such as homosexual inclinations or practices…” This reverses decades-long church policy formulated by Spencer W. Kimball.”
http://www.i4m.com/think/sexuality/mormon_sex.htm
Great videos. Thanks for posting them. I may use them in my class today.
Alas, lest you think attempts to “cure” homosexuality were strictly in the past, I caught this news article this morning talking about current attempts to “treat” homosexuality in the UK:
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/03/25/therapists.still.offering.treatments.homosexuality.despite.lack.evidence
The practice isn’t widespread, but a significant minority of therapists in the UK participate or have participated in it.
The article also mentions this site:
http://www.treatmentshomosexuality.org.uk
That site includes some of the stories of people who underwent such treatments.
What really gets me is the absence of evidence that the cruelty helps anyone. In my opinion, professional associations and state regulators ought to withdraw accreditation from physicians and psychologists who torture their patients needlessly.
If you torture, you can’t be a doctor.
You can get much of the transcript for the documentary here.
I hope you don’t mind if I post these videos on my blog with some more extensive comments on them. I’m feeling researchy now. And very pissed off.
Thanks for the link, Angryyoungwoman. I want you to post those videos anywhere you can. People need to see them.