Gay Mormon Rescue? Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty speak to Mormonism
Channel: Latter Gay Stories
Date: 2023-01-26

Throughout Mormonism's history there have been a series of "rescues" wherein grassroots members, teamed with local church authorities, band together to rescue Saints in despair. 

Are we seeing an LGBTQ+ rescue in Mormonism? We're digging in...

Inspired by Elder M. Russell Ballard's charge to "better understand the LGBTQ community," Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird, gay Latter-day Saints, have been training ward and stake leaders/members on LGBTQ inclusion and love. Through these efforts, Ben and Charlie aim to change the tradition and culture surrounding queer experiences in Mormonism, creating a more understanding space for sexuality in the church. 

In this special episode hosted by Latter Gay Stories and Mormon Stories, a panel of queer voices, moderated by John Dehlin tackle this topic and analyze a recently recorded fireside in a Surrey British Columbia Stake. 

Some questions that will be addressed by the panel include:

- What aspects of this training are groundbreaking and should be celebrated? 

- How do efforts like this one help LGBTQ youth in the LDS pews?

- Is this a local/grass-roots effort or is it sanctioned by top LDS Church leadership? 

- Does this training represent a "Gay Mormon Rescue" of sorts, reminiscent of the Swedish Rescue and Boise Rescue from previous years (see here and here)?

- What possible risks do trainings like this introduce for LGTBQ youth and young adults?

- To what extent do less-official, "grass roots" efforts like this prevent top Mormon church leaders from taking responsibility for the LGBTQ crisis (past and present) within Mormonism?

#LatterGayStories #BenSchilaty #CharlieBird #GayMormonRescue #LGBTQMormonism