lift+love recommendations for you
Preparing for lessons about the Temple
Lessons about the temple can be difficult for a variety of reasons. If you know a lesson about the temple or eternal families is coming up, what can you do to make the situation more inclusive for everyone in the class?
Respecting Pronouns - A Simple Way to Save Lives
Lift+Love Transgender Mama Specialist Anita Ervin has compiled an easy-to-understand resource titled “Transgender and Non-Binary Education” that covers many of the basic facts about being transgender or non-binary. It’s great for beginners or anyone who has questions about what it means to be transgender or non-binary. You can find the document on the Lift+Love website in the educate section (under “helpful info”). She covers definitions, pronouns & appropriate verbiage, and more. Check it out - you will learn a lot!
What Do You Do When Church Leaders Give Talks That Are Painful?
It’s okay to acknowledge that church leaders said something that caused you pain. And it’s important to allow yourself to feel it without judgment. Sometimes, as members of the church, we think that in order to be “all in” the gospel we need to be 100% behind what every church leader says from every pulpit. That is simply not true.
To Condone or Not To Condone - That is the Wrong Question
It’s common to talk about condoning as it applies to LGBTQ people (whether they’ve actually done anything wrong or not), but why is this the thing that people feel they are obligated to judge, when there is an endless list of our neighbor’s actions and beliefs we could potentially choose to condone or not condone?
All Are Alike Unto God - Meghan Decker Gather Conference 2023
“Come tell us what is saving your life now” the wise old priest said to a visiting speaker. Meghan talks about what is saving her life today. She explores the various ways God expresses love for us and compassionately surrounds us with “gods with skin on.” Meghan also discusses the origin of the new Janice Kapp Perry song "All Are Alike Unto God" (which she co-authored with Janice).
Free sheet music for "All Are Alike Unto God" is now available on the Gather Conference website
Finding Hope in Christ - Bree Borrowman Gather Conference 2023
Bree Borrowman (she/her/hers) shares her personal experiences growing up with gender incongruence and gender dysphoria, while wondering for decades why her faith, prayer, church service, and marrying a woman didn't "fix her". She explains how she found an unexpected ally in her wife Kit, moved past shame and guilt to be happy living authentically, and ultimately has found hope in Christ.
The Sacred Work of Bridge Building - Michael Soto Gather Conference 2023
Most Americans do not know a transgender person which means most people know little to nothing about transgender people and consequently can be susceptible to misinformation that fuels social division based on fears about transgender people. This is similar to when fear was stoked about gay people in the 20th century. But the antidote to division, strife, misinformation, and fear about transgender Americans is building relationships and sharing our lives with transgender people. Michael shares how with greater understanding and fellowship as Americans and Christians, we can recommit ourselves to pluralism and to God’s greatest commandments. Topics: LGBTQ, LDS, transgender, understanding, trans, gender
Of One Heart Initiative - Deborah Jensen Grizzell and Erick S Hacking
The Of One Heart Initiative is one stake's effort to create a more welcoming, inclusive, loving community of Saints for LGBTQ+ persons and their families. This presentation will discuss the collaborative development effort involving many levels of councils with the goal of reaching every member of the stake through existing delivery channels, such as Teachers' Councils, Devotionals, and Ward Youth Discussions. Participants will have access to Of One Heart Initiative materials and slide decks that may be used for reference as they develop similar local LGBT initiatives. Q & A with an Of One Heart Initiative organizer and a gay member of their stake.
Personal Stories of LGBTQ Saints - Valerie Nicole Green and Carson Perez Gather Conference 2023
Valerie Nicole Green and Carson Perez share personal stories as LGBTQ saints. Specifically, Valerie shares her experiences with local leaders during her initial transition and as they are currently constituted. Both Valerie and Carson share their personal interactions with ward members, what they have taught their wards about the LGBTQ experience, and what they have learned from their ward families. Topics: LGBTQ, LDS, trans, personal stories, church leadership, transgender
Loving Your Family When They Don’t Know How to Love You - Gracee Purcell Gather Conference 2023
In this empowering exploration of navigating difficult family relationships as queer individuals, Gracee Purcell discusses how to love your family even when you feel they aren't loving you back. Presented at Gather Conference 2023. TOPICS: LGBTQ student college YSA family
Be of Good Cheer - Livier Mendoza Haynes Gather Conference 2023
When we hear "Be of Good Cheer," we might have the immediate thought that we need to suppress any feelings that are not happiness. However, Liv shares how the Lord helps us navigate all of our emotions specially as we balance being part of the LGBTQ community and what that means for our eternal identities. Topics: LGBTQ, LDS, mixed orientation marriage, happiness
Laborers in the Vineyard - Ben Schilaty Gather Conference 2023
Dr. Ben Schilaty discusses the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard and how each of us is called to build the kingdom and care for another.
Believe - Stephen Nelson & GENTRI - Gather Conference 2023
Stephen Nelson shares his coming out experience as an LGBTQ Latter-day Saint along with the story behind the song "Believe" that was born through inspiration and become an anthem of sorts regarding his experience and relationship with God. GENTRI performs "Believe" and Stephen accompanies them.
Resolution Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Charlie Bird Gather Conference 2023
Gay Latter-day Saint Charlie Bird shares how exercising faith in the Plan of Salvation and the power of Jesus Christ leads to healing, hope, and resolution. Presented at the 2023 Gather Conference.
This is the LGBTQ Holiday Message that Everyone Needs to See - VIDEOS WE RECOMMEND
This short video (produced by Encircle) has a Christmas theme, but the message is applicable all year. This video depicts a parent’s journey to accepting and supporting their trans youth. Features Miles McKenna.
"How do I partner with the Lord in supporting and loving my LGBTQ child?"
LDSLIVING - LATTER-DAY SAINT LIFE
How do I partner with the Lord in supporting and loving my LGBTQ child? By Allison Grant Dayton April 11, 2024
"Loving and Lifting our LGBTQ Children with Christ as our Guide"
Many families in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a child that identifies as LGBTQ. With this identification comes many heartfelt questions, concerns, and discussions as our child navigates their own decisions on their terms. Elder Quentin R. Cook challenges, “Let us be at the forefront in terms of expressing love, compassion, and outreach. Let's not have families exclude or be disrespectful of those who choose a different lifestyle as a result of their feelings about their own gender and/or orientation.” How do I have open conversations with love, respect, and support as I acknowledge the difficulties faced by my LGBTQ child? How does my personal covenant relationship with my Savior enhance my ability to walk with my child while they make decisions about their lives? How do I partner with the Lord in supporting and loving my LGBTQ child? How can I help them build their own relationship with Christ and the assurance that they are loved as a child of God?
Being the Dad of an LGBTQ Child
This is a very special episode for Dads of LGBTQ kids - or about your Dad, or about the Dad of someone you love.
Today, I talk about the core issues unique to being the Father of an LGBTQ child.
I’ll give some tools you can use to understand your kids, deepen your relationships, strengthen your faith, and deal with non-affirming friends, family and those at church.
Dads, it’s just me and you today. Bring your fears, bring your hearts, and let’s talk.
For Dads of LGBTQ+ Children – A Very Special Episode FreedHearts
“So, Dads…Your child is gay. Your love for your child seems to somehow conflict with your faith - at least according to what you may hear from Christian friends. Like it or not, you are on the first steps of a journey. What do you do? What kind of Dad will you be?Being gay is not a choice. Whether or not you unconditionally love, accept and affirm your gay child is. Rob is the father of five children, two of whom are part of the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, he shares with you three real responses from other Dads. And he asks you to think about which one is the most like you?”
