Family Matters

The Perilous Power of Hidden Assumptions in the Abortion Debate

Selectively choosing to end the life of a fetus out of concern for that baby’s future presumes the very notion that many abortion advocates often deny: that is, that this fetus is, in fact, a person—and someone whose quality of life (and existence itself) matters as much as it does for any of us.

Identity

Faithful Answers to Common LGBT+ Questions

It’s not easy to know how to answer some of the challenging questions coming up about LGBT+ issues in America today. Here are some summary responses that might be a helpful guide for believers surrounded by the fraught conversation.

Sexuality & Family

Pornography: An Aphrodisiac or Cold Shower?

A new study questions whether or not consensual use of pornography among partners can improve intimacy or the quality of the couple’s sex life.

Identity

Exclude Not Thyself

In an effort to show compassion to our LGBT+ brothers and sisters, we should resist the urge to enable them in excluding themselves from the Plan of Salvation.

Identity

Holding the Tension of Truth and Love (and Where We All Get It a Little Wrong)

It’s common to see people focus almost exclusively on advocating “love” or defending “truth” in the LGBTQ+ / Latter-day Saint conversation. It’s far less common to see people holding both – a practice that involves a lot more stretching, discomfort, and potential breakthroughs for us all.

Rainbow by William Turner | Symbols for Identity | Symbols that Represent Identity
Identity

On Symbols and Identities

The topic of identity and associated symbols has been much discussed of late, especially by those harboring substantial concerns. I wonder what else could be learned if we listened more deeply to what these identities and symbols mean to those who have come to find value and importance in them?

Sexuality & Family

How Could Avoiding ‘Sexual Soloing’ Be a Good Thing?

“Sexual soloing” is a normal developmental challenge for many people. Yet contrary to popular declarations, there are a great many empirical reasons to question its widespread embrace as “healthy,” especially in the context of pornographic arousal.

Identity

Visible Identities & Invisible People

It seems at times that American discourse is so engrossed in the intersectional categories of people (e.g., “that gay BYU student”), that we hardly see the unique person underneath the label anymore.

Identity

Our Deepening Divide Over Identity

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s remarks at BYU revealed an already-existing conflict over how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its critics conceive of identity. As prophets affirm repeatedly, our true identity existed long before any of our present experiences, and is remembered, more than discovered.

Rainbow Colored Heart & Red Broken Heart | Coming Out & Walking Away. Why? | Public Square Magazine | Stacey Harkey Gay | Studio C Gay | Stacey Studio C
Identity

Coming Out & Walking Away. Why?

You’ve probably only ever heard one answer for why so many LGBT+ identifying brothers and sisters are walking away. But the full truth is rarely so popular—or so simple.

Identity

A New Kind of LGBT+ Advocacy?

In the wake of Elder Holland’s BYU talk, I can’t help but wonder—what would LGBT+ Advocacy “bathed in the light of the gospel” look like?