I was surprised at the tactics my family did on me. It was almost scripted. Like they knew I was gay and individual members rehearsed (verbatim) how to respond when I eventually had to tell my family I was going to the other side…the dark side. It was like they had a special Sunday School class in the Ward on: “How To React When a Family Member Comes Out.” It was as if I was in a poorly scripted play.

I have found the reaction by loved ones come in phases. First there is denial: “You can’t be gay!” Then, there is anger: “I wish you were never born.” Then, a bit of tough-love: “You’ll be shunned or ostracized.” And then, there will be a period of uncomfortable silence. There are times when anger overrides rational conversation but a large part of that is due to frustration. And then there is the blame game. It continues with my family and me to this day.

Just continue to show, by example, how good you are. Eventually they will recognize the evil-boogie-gay-man characterization is a bunch of hype.

And, yes cd, I do believe the younger generation of the Latter-Day Saints are well aware of this illogic and if we are to wage an underground campaign we must appeal to their sense of right and wrong. I do believe a majority of those at BYU can see the mistake in what this letter and the ramifications of actions they are being asked to do. They know this is taking a dangerous turn in history. Young Saints know they most likely will have to address this episode in Mormon history sometime in the future when their old General Authorities are dead and gone. You just can’t justify discrimination and that’s what Proposition 8 is all about.

Some will try to portray the Mormons as victims but deep down inside they know this proposed change to California’s Constitution is nothing less than making a segment of society unequal. That goes against everything they have been taught.

Honest and fair Mormons’ biggest dilemma will be how to defy something their Prophet has asked them to do.

The LDS letter was not suggesting to pray and study the issue. This letter was a call to action. There is no debating the issue on a personal belief…this is a mandate from the General Authorities and the Prophet T. S. Monson to do the utmost to derail same-sex marriages.

This is personal. I have to deal with family who know this hurts me. I can’t ask them to publicly stand and leave the meeting…that’s tantamount to being shunned and in a small town this could have business/career ramifications. I can only hope that deep inside they silently protest the words being read from their pulpit. I know I will stand tall and I know I am on the right side.

Until I get some tangible evidence that my desire to be treated equal is hurting Mormons…I will fight them on this issue.

I stood watching fireworks last night. I had to think those rockets red glare for the 4th of July celebrations are for MY freedoms and equality in this great country.

Well, behind the scenes the LDS and some other evangelical groups run the Boy Scouts national organization. Gotta give the kids a clique for squares and a career ladder, after all.

The concern about universities and such is basically that SSM could get legalized in Utah via lawsuit, and Mormon businesses and Brigham Young U might then get into legal hot water almost immediately. They’re almost more concerned about the strict scrutiny determination made by the California courts spreading than marriage legalization. But more immediately, this sort of argument could consolidate other major reactionary Christian groups’ votes- the Seventh Day Adventists with their university and medical school in Loma Linda, the Roman Catholic Church with its various institutions.

The logic of this coming out into the open is that SSM legalization has to be stopped in California, because it and the strict scrutiny determination really do present a near-mortal threat to the LDS. No legal dodge exists to freeze gay people and gay couples out of their institutions, that’s what they’re hoping to generate in the course of these delaying tactics. Because if their younger adherents see that the traditional LDS gender doctrine is not Higher Wisdom, that’s close to fatal. It is the distinctive theological feature of Mormonism, after all- without it, they’re just a more organized and wierder form of Baptists.

I doubt that attempt to hold off the world will be effective in the long run. Trying to be conservative LDS in a society in which SSM is mainstream and successful is going to create the cognitive dissonance in their Faithful and obloquy they’ve worked around for a long time. They’re going to have to liberalize sooner or later, and that means begin to disintegrate. As it is, their numbers are holding roughly constant in the US, so young people must be leaving or turning passive.

It’s mildly ironic that votes cast in Los Angeles and San Diego might determine the long term prospects of the LDS in the USA. Maybe there’s a chance to wage an underground campaign along those lines- Vote No on 8 If You Want To Make A Mormon Missionary Cry. ;-)

Adoption agencies sponsored by religious organizations, parochial school teachers, clubs at California’s religious universities need not worry. Author RoseMarie Briggs is drawing up specious arguments to incite fear. Besides, why should Mrs. Briggs worry herself about parochial schools and religious universities…that’s not a big issue for Mormons…especially in California. You don’t hear of Mormon parochial schools do you? There aren’t any (as far as I know) in California. Most Mormons who hate public schools use Home Schooling or indoctrinate using the various LDS Seminaries they have arranged to be located near public schools and not one of them take public tax dollars so they would not be affected by a threat of losing their revenues. Besides, the LDS Church has plenty of money and prefers never to take government assistance.

It surprises me that Mrs. Briggs would bring up these argument topics…except to say they’re sounding desperate. She has broad experience in public affairs and this certainly has a Karl-Rovian feel to the tactics; bring up the thought and the gullible will deduce a fear where no fear exists.

If the Mormons only want certain types of ideal parents to adopt, then they should pay for it themselves. Their arrogance is showing, though. This is much like when Mormons took Native Indians from their families and reservations to place in the Indian Placement Program with Mormon families and culture. That proved to be a BIG mistake for obvious reasons.