SALT LAKE CITY (AP) | Some LGBTQ support groups are raising concerns about a Mormon church leader’s talk reaffirming opposition to same-sex marriage as well as the belief that gender is eternal.
Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made comments about traditional marriage and gender on Oct. 6 during the church’s General Conference, KUTV reported.
“Our knowledge of God’s revealed plan of salvation requires us to oppose many of the current social and legal pressures to retreat from traditional marriage or to make changes that confuse or alter gender or homogenize the differences between men and women,” Oaks said. “We know that the relationships, identities and functions of men and women are essential to accomplish God’s great plan.”
Church member Debra Coe, whose son is gay, said she worries Oaks’ words will divide families because parents will reject their LGBTQ children.
Coe, who is also a member of the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition, said when LGBTQ youth are rejected by their families, their church, their schools and others in the community, they are very vulnerable.
“You are going to take a normal person and put them at risk for suicide,” she said.
She and her husband often host LGBTQ students in their home, to help and support them.
Coe said she does not feel there’s a conflict in loving her son and other LGBTQ young people and being a member of the church.
“One thing the Mormon doctrine does have is it says families are important,” she said. “That’s what I’m focusing on.”
