Printing Tips

Evergreen Update Newsletter

June 28, 2007

LDS Anthology of LDS Perspectives on Same-Gender Attraction

An LDS publisher is planning to publish an anthology that will give voice
to some of the stories of committed Latter-day Saints who are dealing with
same-sex attraction, as individuals or within their families and
congregations. If you are interested in writing about your experiences for
such a publication, of if you know someone who may be interested, read
further.

As homosexuality becomes an increasingly visible social and political
issue, more and more Latter-day Saints are being influenced by cultural
ideologies which are inconsistent with the truths of the gospel. Part of
the problem is that the voices of those dealing with the issue who hold
firmly to the teachings of the gospel are too often silent. This anthology
intends to fill some of that void with a resource that will inspire and
uplift Latter-day Saint men, women, and families with both gospel-themed
chapters written by proficient and influential teachers, as well as
narrative experiences shared by others in the greater Latter-day Saint
community who have directly wrestled with, or been influenced by, this
issue in their lives.

The anthology will be loosely divided into themed sections, with a head
chapter written by gospel scholars and devotional writers on principles
significant to the issue of homosexuality. Key individuals have agreed to
participate to provide compassionate and powerful voices on this sensitive
and significant issue.

Following that head chapter, and within the context of that particular
theme, there will be a number of narrative essays and personal experiences
by individuals who have dealt with this issue in their lives, whether as
individuals or within their families or congregations.

If you are interested in sharing your stories, feelings, and perspectives,
or if you know someone who may be interested, please read the following
call for papers:

CALL FOR PAPERS

An Anthology Sharing Latter-day Saint Perspectives on Same-Gender Attraction

An LDS-themed publisher has expressed interest in an anthology on
same-gender attraction that will include personal experiences and
narratives by individuals, family members, Church leaders, and gospel
writers who have wrestled with, or been influenced by, this sensitive and
significant issue.
Essays will be by believing, committed Latter-day Saints, and will cover a
spectrum of experience.

The target audience of this volume will be the general membership of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and particularly those
individuals and families who are dealing with the issue and who are
interested in better understanding it through the personal experiences of
others who are committed to the gospel and church of Jesus Christ.

We are interested in essays from both young and old, male and female,
married and non-married (and possibly divorced), spouses and parents, and
those who have been involved in same-sex relationships (and possibly who
have been excommunicated or estranged from the Church for a period of
time) who are now active and faithful, as well as those who may never have
acted on their feelings and always been true to their baptismal and temple
covenants. Perspectives, experiences, and beliefs may vary, and we expect
only that core beliefs and values be in harmony with the gospel teachings
as they have expounded by Church leaders.

We are interested in submissions from:
• Men and women who experience (or who have experienced) same-gender
attraction
• Individuals who are married, single, or divorced
• Spouses, both male and female
• Parents, siblings, or other family members
• Local Church leaders
• Individuals who have been out of the Church and who have returned
• Individuals who have found some resolution, as well as those whose
feelings are unresolved but who feel peace and hope in the gospel
• Encouraging as well as difficult examples of family, spousal, and Church
leader support and interaction

Possible ideas and experiences to consider (including but not limited to):
• Specific life experiences that have most affected you and helped you to
find meaning in your experience, and which have influenced your choices
to remain committed to—or to return to commitment to—gospel teachings and
Church involvement.
• Gospel doctrines or teachings of Church leaders that have been most
meaningful to you (shared in the context of a personal narrative, rather
than a thematic essay), including the plan of salvation, nature of
God/man, etc, and which have given strength, direction, or affected the
way
you’ve chosen to respond to the issue.
• Experiences that have helped you to feel part of—or in which you’ve felt
support from—Church or ward family
• Personal or spiritual change through applying the Atonement of Christ in
your life
• Beneficial experiences with professional or therapeutic assistance
• Experiences working with Church leaders, either for support, through a
process of repentance, or in the process of returning to Church
involvement—
including perspectives by Church leaders themselves.
• Experiences with marriage—or lack thereof
      - Experiences of those who have healthy and fulfilling marriages, as
well as those with difficult marriages or for whom marriage resulted
in divorce but
who chose to remain committed in their faith and involvement in the Church
      - If single, the specific things have helped you life rich and
fulfilling life and/or to avoid or deal healthily with feelings of
loneliness
• Parents, siblings, or other family members
      - Supporting a child who has chosen to remain committed to the Church
      - Supporting a child who has chosen another path
      - Experiences dealing with a child’s suicide or attempted suicide
• Spouses
      - Perspectives of those who have healthy, fulfilling marriages and
who have found strength, support, and direction through their faith
in the gospel
      - Dealing with the tragedy of divorce, personal healing, and/or the
effect of watching loved ones make hurtful decisions and how you’ve
found strength, support, and direction through faith in the gospel
• Preparing for and serving a full-time mission
      - How mission experiences helped you grow in faith and to better
deal with the issue
      - How you dealt with it before and on a full-time mission

We hope you’ll consider sharing your experiences! We are looking for
essays that are honest, candid, and capture both the reality of issue of
homosexual attraction as well as the heart of faith in the gospel of Jesus
Christ.

Submissions will be accepted until September 1, 2007. Earlier submissions
are encouraged.

Submissions may be between between three and ten pages in length.

Please forward this invitation to others you know who might wish to share
their experiences, either as an individual or within their family.

Please email submissions or questions to LDS.Anthology@gmail.com