Same-sex attraction
Same-sex attraction (SSA) or same-gender attraction (SGA) is an intense interest in members of the same sex. This interest may include desires for their attention, friendship, intimacy, and/or a fascination with their bodies and other gender traits. It may also include erotic thoughts and sexual behavior with others of the same sex.
Contents
Terminology
The term homosexuality includes attractions, feelings, desires, sexual behavior, identity, and all its associated aspects.
Some people prefer to use the terms same-sex attraction (SSA) or same-gender attraction (SGA) to avoid the clinical and psychiatric misunderstandings that may come by using the term homosexuality. A person who experiences same-sex attraction or same-gender attraction may experience
- Intense attractions (which may or may not be sexual or erotic) without sexual behavior or
- Complete emotional and sexual involvement.
The words homosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer are adjectives to describe particular thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. They should not be used as nouns to identify particular conditions or specific persons.
Those who refer to themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer are welcome in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.
Unwanted same-sex attraction
For some individuals, same-sex attraction is at odds with their personal values and moral and religious beliefs. They do not wish to act on these attractions. They may seek help to diminish their same-sex attractions and avoid same-sex sexual behavior.
Marriage
Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. No other form of marriage is recognized by the Church. Marriage between a man and a woman is a central tenet of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The highest level of exaltation in God's heavenly kingdom is for those who are eternally married.
Members of the Church are counseled to marry the person they love and love the person they marry. Mixed-orientation marriages should not be advocated as a therapeutic step to become straight. All members of the Church are promised all of the blessings given from God to mankind.
Church policy states that "immoral conduct in heterosexual or homosexual relationships will be treated in the same way." Those who enter a same-sex marriage are welcome to attend services but may face church disciplinary action.
Causes of same-sex attraction
The Church does not take a position on the cause of same-sex attractions. It considers these to be scientific questions for experts in the field to answer, not religious questions. It has made clear that neither the person dealing with the attractions nor the parents should feel responsible for the attractions. The focus is on living the commandments of God. All people, regardless of the orientation of their attractions, can learn to control their attractions and live a chaste life as directed by God.
Researchers have not been able to find a cause for same-sex attractions.[1] Most major psychological associations believe it is a "combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental influences."[2] Many think both nature and nurture play a major role. They have recognized that sexual orientation is not fixed, but rather a spectrum. "Far from being being a fixed preference, the findings suggest that sexual identity and attraction undergo extensive and often subtle changes throughout a person's life, continuing long past adolescence and into adulthood."[1]
The Church's website Same-Sex Attraction shows that those who focus on their personal relationship with God, even when their same-sex attraction had once defined and consumed them, felt a gradual lessening of its centrality in their lives, enabling them to live God's commandments and move forward with their lives.
Therapy
Some members have sought help from therapy or support groups. Research has found that therapy and support can help counteract and buffer minority stress, marginalization, and isolation. They also have found that such efforts can relieve the distress caused by conflicts between religious values and sexual orientation. North Star is a support organization for members of the Church.
Church Teachings
- Main article: Law of Chastity
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that gender is an essential part of our eternal identity and purpose. Another principle of the Church is that God commanded His children to multiply and replenish the earth, and that the sacred powers of procreation should be used only between a lawfully married man and woman. These commandments were given by God because the family unit is a crucial part of Heavenly Father's plan for His children. All children are entitled to birth within marriage and to be reared by a father and a mother.[2] Sexual relations, including those between persons of the same sex, are serious transgressions and undermine the divinely created institution of the family.
The Church's position on same-sex relationships continues to be of interest to both members and the public. President M. Russell Ballard, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has said,
- Let us be clear: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that “the experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not choose to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love and understanding, the Church reaches out to all God’s children, including [those with same-sex attraction].”[3]
The Church's general handbook states: "The Church encourages families and members to reach out with sensitivity, love, and respect to persons who are attracted to others of the same sex. The Church also promotes understanding in society at large that reflects its teachings about kindness, inclusiveness, love for others, and respect for all human beings. The Church does not take a position on the causes of same-sex attraction."
1 Many environmental studies have proven that exposure to various "xenohormones," chemicals which the body reads as hormones, but which are not, can cause transexuality and homosexuality in animals, reptiles, fish, and birds. Examples are feminized male fish in the Hudson River from PCB exposure (EPA.gov), transexual birds found in the Hudson River Valley from the same PCB exposure; transexual bass in the Potomac (MSNBC.com) from chemical pollutants; transsexual fish found off the coast of Southern California from effluent exposure (article also cites similar findings in frogs, alligators, and other wild animals) (L.A. Times, Monday, Nov. 14, 2005). Also influences on how genes behave may make babies very susceptible to hormones of the opposite gender in the womb. [4]
References
- Understanding Male Homosexual Problems: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints by Jason Park (booklet) Century Publishing
- Homosexuality: Symptoms and Free Agency (LDS) by Scott & Kae Anderson
- Place in the Kingdom, A: Spiritual Insights from Latter-day Saints about Same-Sex Attraction (LDS) edited by Garrick & Ginger Hyde Century Publishing
- Resolving Homosexual Problems: A Guide for LDS Men by Jason Park Century Publishing
- Helping LDS Men Resolve their Homosexual Problems: A Guide for Family, Friends, and Church Leaders by Jason Park Century Publishing
External links and Latter-day Saint Resources
- Same-Sex Attraction, formerly MormonsandGays.org
- North Star. A place of community for Latter-day Saints dealing with issues surrounding homosexual attraction who desire to live in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the values and doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Gospel Topic about same-sex attraction on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
- Church Family Services. Provides counseling help to members of the Church. Help for same-sex attraction may not require a bishop's referral.
- SameSexAttraction.org [5]
- Brothers Road. A site for people who want to discover and address the underlying environmental and relational issues that may have led to feel unwanted and incongruous same-sex attractions.
