May 25, 2014

Coming Out As a Gay Mormon In Institute



Graduation is a taste in my mouth that is sweet and thirst quenching. I am down to two and a half weeks until I will be done with my formal education forever. I love to learn and would be very happy to be in school for years to come, however the homework and testing facets of school are buzz killers. More importantly, I am ready to move on. I am on to a career, to a life in a new state (Utah) and to live a life truly guided by my desires and freedom. It is a pleasant taste indeed.

I told you about how I came out to my Institute teacher. He pulled me aside before class started last week and wanted to let me know we would be going over the website www.Mormonsandgays.com and didn't want me to think he was targeting me. I appreciated the heads up, but was disappointed by the presentation in class. We were learning about Elder D. Todd Christofferson, and he has a video of introduction on the Mormons and Gays website. Plus, the Oregon constitutional ban on gay marriage was struck down the previous day by a federal judge and so the teacher said it all kinda just clicked with him that we should talk about it.

The video from the website was started with 20 minutes left in the class, and damn, it is a long video. It ended up taking all but the last minute of class. The Institute teacher said we wouldn't have a discussion (pretty sure it was due to the time restraints but I suspect there might have been another motive). There also happened to be an incident shortly after the end of class where cops had to be called, so I didn't get a chance to speak with him. I was quite interested and already braced for unsavory comments from class, as well as ready to be surprised by others of support. But alas, none happened. Bummer.

I also came out to a friend at Institute two weeks ago. I knew from previous conversations she has two gay uncles and supports gay marriage, we are good friends and even Facebook friends, so I had assumed she saw the, "Interested in Men" in my about section. Twice in one day though, she made comments about me dating girls or being married to one. I realized, she had no idea. So when the room was clear and it slipped into the conversation well, I told her to look on her opened laptop at my Facebook page. I directed her to the about section and pointed to my "Interested in" and she gasped.

She looked at me and said, "wait, you're gay?!"

It was all but positive and we are still just as great friends, who I might add, are the life (and trouble makers) of the Institute.

It is so wonderful that I finally feel comfortable coming out to my Institute teacher and a church friend with little trepidation. It is such a change from my shameful and terrified coming out stories of just two year ago.

Onwards and Upwards!

8 comments:

  1. Ha ha, that's cute. Good for you with the out-coming. What do you plan on doing in Utah, or do you know yet?

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    1. Thanks Trev. I have been putting out applications like a bunny, looking for some administrative assisting positions mostly. Just waiting to secure a job before I secure my apartment.

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  2. I loved this post! And as someone who is completely starting over in AZ in a few weeks, I can empathize with your upcoming life changes. Good luck!!

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    1. And good luck with yours Rex. I hope you will post all about them, so I can learn (the good and bad) about starting in a new city!

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  3. I admire your ability to balance your interest in the church with your acceptance of who you are. You will go far young man. Good luck in Utah.

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    1. Thank you! It's still a challenge to balance things and probably will be for most of my life, but it is something I want to do.

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  5. I am so glad the church has this website. I think it is important for people to realize that we must love everyone. Although we may not agree with the way people live (I am not saying I that I don't agree with the way you live) we are not allowed to judge and assign value on that choice/circumstance. Plus the church, like stated in the video by Oaks, "there is so much we don’t understand about this subject."

    I would be interested too to see how people felt about the topic since it is such a taboo subject within the church right now...I think it is beautiful that you are who you are.

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