Petition request

http://www.ldsapology.org/ is requesting participation in a petition for reconciliation among gay members of the church and the church leadership.  Concern about the the trials of gay Mormons are illustrated as followed:

• "Gay, lesbian and bisexual teens and young adults have one of the highest rates of suicide attempts — and some other health and mental health problems, including substance abuse. A new study suggests that parental acceptance, and even neutrality, with regard to a child's sexual orientation could have a big impact in reducing this rate." -NPR, All Things Considered, December 29, 2008
• "I implore the students at BYU to re-assess their homophobic feelings," wrote Stuart Mathis in The Daily Universe shortly before committing suicide. "Seek to understand first before you make comments. We have the same needs as you. We desire to love and be loved. We desire to live our lives with happiness. We are not a threat to you or your families."
• "Utah's overall suicide rate is the 10th highest in the nation. Unfortunately, it is the leading cause of death for Utah males ages 15 to 19, who die at a rate nearly double the national average. It is the leading cause of death for adolescent males in Utah." -KUED.org Voices of Hope Discussion Guide
• "Thank you, Carol Lynn Pearson, for reminding us that the task of any religion is to teach us whom we're required to love, not whom we're entitled to hate." - Rabbi Harold Kushner
• Forgiving the Church and Loving the Saints: Spiritual Evolution and the Kingdom of God. -Robert A. Rees
  

About the site:

We are an organization of LDS members, former members and others who believe in the equal value of every soul regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or worldly condition.

We believe that kindness and compassion towards those with differences are the benchmarks of Christian practice and life.  We desire to help create an atmosphere in which all members of the Church will feel an unconditional welcome and feel valued for the unique gifts they bring to the LDS community.  We assert that without the inclusion of gays and lesbians in our congregations, we are substantially diminished as a people.  It is our hope that all members will feel loved and valued and feel a generous and compassionate welcome in our midst, as beloved children of God.

Our community has grown as we have come to know and form strong bonds with many gays and lesbians, as well as gay and lesbian Church members and former members.  These bonds have been strengthened as a result of our associations during California's Proposition 8 campaign, which banned Gay Marriage in this State.  We have been amazed by the stories of our gay brothers and lesbian sisters, impressed by their courage and perseverance and awed by their ability to transcend what they have experienced as rejection and personal attack.  We desire to do our small part to support them and show our deep appreciation and admiration for them as our brothers and sisters. 

We are not Anti-Mormon and are not affiliated with or sympathetic to any Anti-Mormon groups or agendas.  We simply want to affirm our love and devotion to the Christian principles upon which this Church was founded.

We want to thank all who support this effort. Together, we can make a difference.

More information can be found at http://www.ldsapology.org