Elena Thurston returns to share with us how the PoS, the new LDS LGBT Policy Handbook update dubbed the Policy of Silence, still affects families and children who want to serve missions. There has been no update, no clarification regarding children of “same-sex attracted” parents and the requirement that they disavow that parent in order to serve a mission with the LDS Church. This existing policy continues to cause excruciating emotional damage to children and families. Members who “suffer from same-sex attraction” are still encouraged, forced or feel no other choice than to seek out conversion therapy to “fix” their homosexual attractions. A practice that results in youth 8.4x more likely to attempt suicide. GLAAD reports “San Francisco State University found that “compared with LGBTQ young people who were not rejected or were only a little rejected by their parents and caregivers because of their gay or transgender identity, highly rejected LGBTQ young people were:
- 8.4x more likely to report having attempted suicide
- 5.9x more likely report high levels of depression
- 3.4x more likely to use illegal drugs
- 3.4x more likely to be at high risk of HIV and STDs”
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Patreon FULL VIDEO of Elena’s Episode
- Elena’s Amazing Ted Talk about Her Experience with Conversion Therapy
- Elena’s Love Story on MHH
- GLAAD Discusses Efficacy and Consequences of Conversion Therapy
- VENMO for Mormon Happy Hour one time donations
- Music by bensound.com and by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 - Transition pieces found here
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Amidst the Letter to the IRS Whistleblower attention, a very important update to Handbook 2 was released by the LDS Church and then revised a few days later. This update contains heavy-handed silencing and further exclusion and denial of the existence of the LGBTQIA community. It isn’t “faith-promoting” as they say, and it is a policy dictating that we obey, conform, and cease to mention “personal characteristics” that detract from the focus of Jesus Christ because Mormon Jesus is a bigot. Join Blaire Ostler, a voice of passion and love who will not be silent when speaking of the LGBT brothers and sisters of this world.
There comes a time for many of us who have moved on from Mormonism that we REALLY want to move on and not stay in the community that validated us when we left Mormonism. We are done with the triggers, the constant repeating drama, the never-changing harm that pours out of the LDS Church. We are ready to embrace joy, happiness, and filling our lives with other interests! First up, to share her own journey out of Mormonism, and out of ExMormonism, and what she has done to fill up her life. She’s a novelist, with a alter ego pen name Delaney Darco. She is thriving in a mixed-faith marriage that is full of love, respect, and deep conversations.
Today I have some Post Mormon Confessions for you, things I am still carrying around with me that I’d like to work through and let go. First up, I still carry my temple recommend in my wallet, 7 years later. Why the heck do I do this?? Second, boobs. Yep, I’m gonna talk about growing up as a Mormon girl with boobs and how that wrecked me. That pic right there is me in 6th grade sporting my mom approved no cleavage Speedo. I’m the one holding my breath like I can’t smile underwater. Do you have some Post Mormon Confessions as well? I’d love to hear what yours are, and what they mean to you in your life. Also, don’t miss the upcoming topics, reach out and tell me about what they mean to you so I can include you in the next episode!
Mormon headlines are too legit to quit. They just keep on rolling forth like a stone cut out of a…heap of bs? Anyway, Emily Holyoak and I have a blast covering as many as we could in just under an hour. Listen in, you’ll have a great time, maybe learn something new, and I’m sure you’ll have some feels about what we cover. Also, don’t miss the new development coming to MHH on Patreon! Spoiler, it involves Closet Confessionals! As always, if you’d rather watch this conversation instead of just listen, head on over to Patreon to check it out!
Do you love yourself? Do you really? What would it feel like to have a raw, unconditional love for yourself, every part of what makes you who you are? I’m on a mission to answer that question. Come with me and dive into vulnerability, authenticity, self-love, mindfulness and real exponential growth. I have begun a new chapter in my life, and I’m going in with a plan. Today I’m sharing with you a few things that really resonated with me on a recent retreat Escape with Joy with Elena Thurston and some amazing insight from my good friend and Faith Transition Life Coach Claudine Gallagher. I can’t wait to hear your feedback and what your own self-love is looking like!
I had so many questions for Blaire Ostler, former CEO and current board member of the Mormon Transhumanist Association. What is it? What are its basic beliefs and tenets? Isn’t Transhumanism a mostly secular atheist movement? But, what if I don’t believe in Jesus or God, does that still jive with MTA? How does the MTA interact with the LDS Church? I began to explore what Transhumanism means to Blaire and what inspired her dive into MTA, and led her to become the CEO! Please enjoy this informative and fascinating discussion!
Lauren Vega and her friend Claire Watt created an art installation depicting the juxtaposition of a Mormon youth experience with modesty and that of an average youth not in the Mormon Church. It is powerful and resonates so deeply with those of us who lived the modesty rhetoric within Mormonism. They join me to share the background and elements of their art installation and also explore their own experiences and their goals to speak to these topics further. I am so thrilled to bring you these passionate and driven ladies, finding healing and sharing it with others! If you’d prefer to watch this conversation instead of just listen, head on over to Patreon!
Have you heard of Ogden’s Own Distillery and their line-up of subversive Mormon Themed liquors? Take a peek behind the hilarious labels and learn a bit about how they came to be, complete with rich tributes to controversial Mormon history and whole-hearted support for Utah’s LGBTQ community! Steve Conlin, CEO and President of Ogden’s own gives us a view from behind the Zion’s Curtain at what it’s like to be in the alcohol industry in a state controlled by the LDS Church. And, a Pride Re-Brand of their famous 5 Wives Vodka, a label so controversial it was banned in the state of Idaho! As always, if you’d prefer to watch instead of just listen to this interview, head on over to Patreon/mormonhappyhour to watch!
THIS IS PART 2 of a panel discussion.