January – Gay Latter-Day Saint Crossroads by Evan Smith, edited by Marci McPhee, was published. The book addresses LGBTQ questions from a scripture-based Latter-day Saint perspective.[1]
January – The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing implements a statewide ban on conversion therapy for minors, with public support from the church.[2]
February – A Walk in My Shoes by Ben Schilaty was published. The author, a gay therapist and BYU administrator, answers questions frequently asked of him as a gay Latter-Day Saint.[3]
February – The church released the new version of its leadership handbook, General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It defines gender as "biological sex at birth" and states that any kind of gender transition—whether that includes a change of name or pronouns, "elective medical or surgical intervention," or even gendered dress—will bring about "Church membership restrictions" until the person ceases their gender transition. Transgender people may enter temples and attend meetings, but certain restrictions will apply, such as the ineligibility of transgender men for the priesthood.[4] At the same time, the handbook reflected the previously announced policy regarding children of same-sex couples, now allowing these children to be blessed and baptized without limitations that previously existed.[5]
February – BYU released an updated honor code intended to align with the church's new handbook. The previous honor code specifically noted prohibiting hand-holding and kissing between same-sex couples. The updated honor code does not contain the section about "homosexual behavior." The school, however, clarified that "Even though we have removed the more prescriptive language, the principles of the Honor Code remain the same."[6]
March – Questions from the Closet, a podcast hosted by Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird, was launched. The podcast addresses common questions about LGBTQ issues in the church.[7]
May – Emmaus LGBTQ Ministry was established as a nonprofit support group for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints.[8][9] The group was founded by Mormons Building Bridges founder Erika Munson and former Affirmation executive director John Gustav-Wrathall. It was founded as an alternative group to Mormons Building Bridges, due to a difference in priorities.[10]
June – Tabernacles of Clay by Taylor G. Petrey was published. The book examines LDS teachings on sexuality and gender through the lens of gender theory and modern American religion.[11]
July – Same-Sex Attracted, a documentary by LGBTQ BYU students, debuted at the Salt Lake City LGBTQ film festival.[12][13]
July – Without the Mask by Charlie Bird was published. The book recounts Bird's coming out as gay after performing as Cosmo the Cougar, the mascot at BYU.[14]
August – An article, written by a member named Jacob R., was published in the church’s magazine The Ensign. The article, titled “My Experience Living the Law of Chastity with Same-Sex Attraction,” discusses the writer’s decision to join the church and keep church standards as a gay man.[15]
August – Listen, Learn, and Love by Richard Ostler was published. The book, based on his podcast of the same name, explores ways to better support LGBTQ Latter-day Saints.[16]
September – The Lift + Love podcast was launched with Allison Dayton and Jenie Rae Hunter as hosts. The podcast discusses faith in the church and being part of a family with LGBTQ members.[17]
September – Matthew Gong, the gay son of apostle Gerrit W. Gong, shared his experience leaving the church in an article published by the Salt Lake Tribune.[18]
October – Iese Wilson, a gay Latter-Day Saint and music education major at BYU–Hawaii, met with president John S. K. Kauwe III and Student Life Vice President Jonathan Kau to discuss the experiences of LGBTQ students on campus. This conversation was followed by a social media post by Wilson, which sparked greater conversation about the LGBTQ experience at BYU–Hawaii.[19]
March – Students at BYU lit up the Y on Y Mountain with colors of the pride flag to show support for LGBTQ individuals. BYU officials responded that the lighting was not authorized.[20][21]
April – Natasha Helfer, a Latter-Day Saint and licensed sex therapist, was excommunicated by the church for “conduct contrary to the law and order of the church.” Helfer had publicly supported same-sex marriage, counseled that masturbation was not a sin, and insisted that pornography use should not be treated as an addiction.[22]
April – Jessica Livier Haynes, a queer Latter-Day Saint, spoke at BYU Women’s Conference. She talked about creating safe, inclusive spaces in the church.[23][24] Haynes’ inclusion at the conference prompted criticism from some orthodox Latter-Day Saints due to views she has expressed regarding the Family Proclamation.[25]
May – The first devotional about the LGBTQ experience on the BYU–Hawaii campus was held, with the Mackintosh family and Iese Wilson as speakers.[26]
May – Queer Mormon Theology by Blaire Ostler was published. The book examines LDS doctrine from a queer theological perspective.[27]
June – An article titled “Experiencing Christ’s Power as an Amputee with Same-Sex Attraction” was published in The Liahona. Written by Latter-Day Saint Sheyla Ruiz Leon, the article discusses her experience finding peace and healing in the church as a gay member.[28]
June – The BYU Rainbow Collective was founded by students as a nonprofit to provide community and resources for LGBTQ students at BYU.[29]
June – Singer and American Idol alumnus David Archuleta comes out as a member of the LGBT community. In his coming out post, Archuleta urged people of faith to "be more understanding and compassionate to those who are LGBTQIA+."[30] Archuleta's coming out brought more attention to the Church's ban on same-sex marriage and relationships.
July – The Sit Down with Sky and Amanda podcast was launched with Skyler and Amanda Sorensen as hosts. The two were married as a Latter-Day Saint couple in a mixed-orientation marriage, with Skyler being gay. The podcast focuses on putting obedience to church teachings above sexual orientation.[31]
August – Latter-day Saint Apostle and former Brigham Young University President Jeffrey R. Holland spoke at BYU's 2021 University Conference, encouraging BYU to use its platform to more aggressively defend the Church's positions, especially its position against same-sex marriage. Holland also indirectly targeted 2019 BYU valedictorian Matt Easton for coming out during his convocation speech, saying "If a student commandeers a graduation podium intended to represent everyone getting diplomas in order to announce his personal sexual orientation, what might another speaker feel free to announce the next year until eventually anything goes?" Holland continued by accusing Easton of "divisiveness."[32] According to Easton's response to Holland's speech in the Salt Lake Tribune, Easton's valedictorian address was pre-approved by the University.[33]
August – Shortly after Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s address at BYU where he mentioned metaphorical “musket fire” being required to defend the church against LGBTQ ideologies, former North Ogden mayor candidate Gregory Smith made a tweet saying “Time to get our muskets” in response to an LGBTQ-related post. After pushback, Smith deleted his Twitter account.[34][35]
September – The Stories From Encircle podcast was launched by Encircle in Provo, Utah. The podcast discusses LGBTQ stories in the Utah area.[36]
October – An article titled "Understanding and Including Our LGBT Brothers and Sisters" by bishop Ryan J. Wessel was published in the church’s official magazine, The Liahona.[37]
October – An article titled “Same-Sex Attraction and My Journey from Shame to Joy” was published in The Liahona. Written by Latter-Day Saint and President of North Star Spencer Thompson, the article discusses how Thompson found hope and healing in the church as a gay man.[38][39]
October – An article, written by Walter Schumm, was published in the Deseret News. The article, titled “Opinion: Latter-day Saint LGBTQ youths may have lower suicide risk, two new studies suggest” discusses how two recent studies (one by BYU and one by Bowling Green State University) suggest a negative correlation between being a Latter-Day Saint and teen LGBTQ suicide.[40][41][42] Two weeks later, an article written by a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Toronto named Tom Stringham, was published in Public Square Magazine, which draws the same conclusion with the same articles.[43]
December – The Called to Queer podcast was launched, hosted by Colette Dalton (a gay Latter-Day Saint) and Kate Mower (a nonbinary Latter-Day Saint). The podcast features interviews with LGBTQ members of the church.[44]
December – Michael Soto, a Latter-Day Saint transgender man and LGBTQ advocate, was named president and CEO of the Greater Seattle Business Association. The GSBA is a Washington-based chamber of commerce that supports LGBTQ businesses and economic equality.[45][46]
December – Sue Bergin was terminated from her position as a writing professor at BYU. While Bergin was never given a specific reason for her termination other than the end of her contract, it was widely believed that this happened due to her vocal advocacy of LGBTQ people in the church.[47]
December – Businessman Jeff Green publicly announced he was leaving the LDS Church and donating $600,000 to the LGBT rights organization Equality Utah. Writing to Russell Nelson, president of the Church, he said: "I believe the Mormon church has hindered global progress in women's rights, civil rights and racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights."[48]
January - The Salt Lake Tribune reported a non-binary BYU graduate did not report being sexually assaulted as a student by their BYU teaching assistant in part because of fear of how the Honor Code office may surveil and distrust non-cisgender students, as well as assault victims.[51]
March – Listen, Learn and Love: Improving Latter-Day Saint Culture by Richard Ostler was published. The book promotes inclusion of marginalized groups in the church, including LGBTQ members.[53]
March – One year after the Y on Y Mountain was lit in rainbow colors, it was again lit—this time with the colors of the transgender flag. BYU police were present to prevent demonstrations, and the participants remained anonymous.[54]
April – Tender Leaves of Hope: Finding Belonging as LGBTQ Latter-day Saint Women by Meghan Decker was published, reflecting on her experience as a gay woman in the Church.[56]
April – The church hosts a private tour of the Washington D.C. temple for a group of LGBTQ advocates from across the United States during the temple's open house.[57]
June – An article was published in Public Square Magazine, written by a gay Latter-Day Saint and co-founder of North Star named Jeff Bennion, titled “Draping Yourself in a Rainbow Flag Doesn’t Help Me Feel Loved”. In the article, Bennion discusses why the pride flag and LGBTQ activism is problematic for Latter-Day Saints.[58][59]
June – Lauren Harrigian was baptized in Mesa, Arizona as one of the first openly transgender members, with preferred pronouns included in official Church records. The baptism was approved by both the area's mission president and the First Presidency.[60][61] This baptism later received criticism from more orthodox Latter-Day Saints.[62] Two years after the baptism, various policies regarding transgender members were changed, among which was a change that only allowed transgender converts to use their biological sex at birth on official church records, preventing subsequent baptisms like Harrigian’s.[63]
June – This Boy and His Mother by Preston and Cheri Jenkins was published. The book explores their shared experience of navigating life and faith as a gay son and his mother.[64] In the same year, Preston and Taryn Jenkins were married in the temple.[65]
September – Michael Soto was named Chief Advocacy Officer of ONE Community. The Arizona-based nonprofit works to advocate for LGBTQ equality legislation.[66][67]
September – Shane Carpenter shared his experience as one of the first openly gay Mormon missionaries, including his mission president asking him to train other missionaries on being inclusive in their teaching.[68]
October – Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland spoke in General Conference and acknowledged LGBTQ individuals: “I know many who wrestle with wrenching matters of identity, gender, and sexuality. I weep for them, and I weep with them…”[69]
November – Clare Dalton shared her experience as one of the first openly gay seminary teachers in the church.[70]
November – The In The Den with Mama Dragons podcast was started by the Mama Dragons. The podcast serves as a resource for parents who have LGBTQ children.[71]
November – The church publicly endorsed the U.S. Respect for Marriage Act. The law, enacted later that month, ensured government recognition of same-sex marriages. It also ensured that nonprofit religious organizations were not required to perform same-sex marriages under the law.[72][73]
November – But Jesus: A Conversation by Autumn McAlpin was published. The book reflects on how a gay son changed a Mormon family’s relationship to their faith.[74]
December – Expanding the Borders of Zion by Charlie Bird was published. The book offers a Latter-Day Saint perspective on LGBTQ inclusion and how members can better support queer individuals.[75]
December – Riley Adamson, a resident in Salt Lake City, designed an LGBTQ version of the Utah state flag.[76]
2023 – The Gender Harmony Institute was founded in Utah. The nonprofit serves as an alternative to social and medical transitioning for people who experience gender dysphoria. The founders include Jeff Bennion, as well as Chelsea Johnson and David Haralson (both Latter-Day Saint marriage and family therapists).[77][78]
January – The Liahona published an article by Jeff Bennion. The article, titled “What If I Don’t Have a Place in Heavenly Father’s Plan?” discusses Bennion’s experience as a gay Latter-Day Saint and how he continues to have faith.[79]
January – Brandon Sanderson, a Latter-Day Saint and prominent fantasy writer, expressed support for LGBTQ people on a blog post. Part of the article reads "My current stance is one of unequivocable support for LGBTQ+ rights. I support gay marriage. I support trans rights, the rights of non-binary people, and I support the rights of trans people to affirm their own identity with love and support... I put LGBTQ+ people into my books, and will continue to do so. Not because I want to fulfill a quota, but because I genuinely believe that it is right for the characters–and is a good and important thing for me to be doing. God created LGBTQ+ people in this world; to ignore such an important aspect of His creation would be to deny, in some small way, Him."[80]
January – An online course was released on Deseret Book’s Seek platform titled “Building Zion: Faithful LGBTQ Allyship with Ben Schilaty”. The course discusses loving God and neighbor, sharing, and listening to LGBTQ stories.[81] The release of this course by Deseret Book received criticism from Greg Matsen, host of the orthodox Latter-Day Saint online platform Cwic Media.[82]
January – The Utah state legislature passed SB16, which introduced a statewide ban on transgender healthcare for minors.[83][84]
February – An article was published in the Deseret News by Justin Dyer and Michael Goodman (both religion professors at BYU). The article, titled “Perspective: Faith is a factor in good mental health. Why are so many people unable to see this?” discusses how suicidality decreases among both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ youth when they are religious, based on several studies.[85] A follow-up article with the same conclusions was published in the Deseret News nine months later, authored by Michael Goodman and Ty Mansfield (a gay BYU religion professor).[86]
February – The Utah State Legislature passed a statewide ban on conversion therapy for minors, codifying into law restrictions that were previously implemented through administrative rules.[87]
March – Southern Utah University announced Jeffrey R. Holland as its commencement speaker, two years after his controversial “musket fire” speech at BYU. His selection led to both protests and support from students. Holland ultimately did not attend due to health issues.[88][89]
April – A video was released by Cwic Media titled “LDS Parents Losing Daughter to Gender Ideology”. The video features an interview between Greg Matsen with Ben and Tami Wright, Latter-Day Saint parents of a nonbinary child. The Wrights discuss their opposition to Queer Theory and concern about “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria”.[90]
May – Allison Dayton, founder of Lift + Love, spoke at the BYU Women’s Conference. Dayton addressed parents with LGBTQ children and how they can be more loving.[91][92]The Cougar Chronicle, a student-owned news outlet at BYU, later expressed concern over Dayton’s speaking at the conference due to her pro-transgender views.[93]
May – During a church devotional for young adults, apostle Dallin H. Oaks read a letter from an anonymous 16-year-old Latter-day Saint girl expressing concern about LGBTQ issues among youth, including gender identity and same-sex relationships. Part of the letter reads: ”I truly don’t understand why so many youth in our church don’t see any problem with people changing their gender every other day, dating people who are the same sex, or identify as no gender. At ward or stake youth activities, I am asked my pronouns, or at school I am asked to dance with a girl who thinks she is a boy. I know we are supposed to love everyone and show them respect, and I always do. I just feel that there is a line being crossed. I wish we heard more talk from church leaders about this problem.”[94]
June – Skyler Sorensen published Exclude Not Thyself: Thriving as a Covenant-Keeping Gay Latter-Day Saint, detailing his experience as a gay Latter-day Saint married to a woman.[95]
June – The church released an updated version of Preach my Gospel, removing the previous baptismal interview question asking if the applicant has participated in any "homosexual transgressions."[96]
July – Ballet West music director Jared Oaks, grandson of Dallin H. Oaks, discussed his experience being gay on the Human Stories podcast, including how it affected his relationship with his family.[97]
August – Active Latter-day Saints Charlie Bird and Ryan Clifford married in a same-sex ceremony.[98]
September – Former bishop Richard Ostler published Listen, Learn, and Love: Building the Good Ship Zion, detailing how Latter-Day Saints can be more inclusive in the church.[99]
September – The first Gather Conference, hosted by Emmaus and the Lift + Love Foundation, was held in Provo, Utah, featuring LGBTQ and Latter-Day Saint voices.[100][101]
October – In General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson gave an address titled “Think Celestial!” Among other things, he spoke on church teachings about chastity. In the address, he said “Physical intimacy is only for a man and a woman who are married to each other.”[102]
October – Liz and Ryan Giles launched The Fourth Option Instagram page, exploring LGBTQ relationships within the church.[103]
December – Michael Soto became president of Equality Arizona, a nonprofit that advocates for LGBTQ civil rights.[104][105]
January – Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality was published by Dr. Matthew L. Harris, a professor of History and director of Legal Studies at Colorado State University Pueblo. The book tells the story of the 1978 lifting of the priesthood and temple restriction on members of African descent, and how the dynamics between the prophet Spencer W. Kimball and the other apostles at the time led to that outcome.[106][107] Parallels have been drawn between the years leading up to the 1978 policy change, and the state of the church with regards to its LGBTQ members.[108] This concept with regards to LGBTQ people received pushback from Latter-Day Saint apologist Jacob Hansen.[109]
January – Lift + Love, with the help of Clare Dalton, started releasing a monthly curriculum for Gatherings, community-led discussions aligned with the church’s Come, Follow Me program.[110]
January – Aaron Sherinian was named as the new managing director for Church Communication.[111] Sherinian’s hiring received criticism from some orthodox Latter-Day Saints due to his public support of same-sex marriage.[112]
January – A video was released by Thoughtful Faith, hosted by Latter-Day Saint apologist Jacob Hansen, titled “Can we go on like this?” In the video, Hansen expresses concern over various acts taken by the church and Latter-Day Saints, which seemed to suggest a softening of church policies for LGBTQ people.[113] Later that day, Cwic Media host Greg Matsen released a video reiterating many of the same points.[114] The two were later interviewed by Steven Pynakker (a gay evangelical Christian), and Rebecca Bibliotheca (a former Latter-Day Saint and co-host of Mormon-ish) on Mormon Book Reviews on the same topic.[115]
January – The Mormon Stories channel, hosted by John Dehlin, released a video titled “A New Norm? Married Gay Mormons Get Callings & The Sacrament”. The video covers the recent marriage of Charlie Bird and Ryan Clifford, as well as the lack of immediate church disciplinary action taken against them.[116] Shortly thereafter, a joint statement was made by Equality Utah, Equality Arizona, and Wyoming Equality condemning the Mormon Stories coverage of the story as a breach of privacy. Dehlin later offered a public apology in response.[117]
March – David Archuleta released a song titled Hell Together. The song was inspired by Archuleta’s mother, who left the church with him in 2022 due to the church's LGBTQ policies.[118] The release of this song and Archuleta's story drew criticism from orthodox Latter-Day Saints.[119]
May – Kerry Spencer Pray published The Book of Queer Mormon Joy, a collection of essays from LGBTQ Latter-Day Saints.[120]
August – The church updated its general handbook with stricter policies for transgender members, including restrictions on gender record-keeping, restroom use, and callings involving children and youth.[121][122]
September – The podcast All Out in the Open replaced Questions from the Closet, featuring LGBTQ Latter-Day Saint hosts including Ben Schilaty, Charlie Bird, Clare Dalton, Iese Wilson, Liz Macdonald (mother of a gay son), and Michael Soto.[123]
September – The first Belong Youth Conference, sponsored by Equality Arizona, was held in Provo, Utah. The conference was created to serve as a place for LGBTQ youth ages 13–18 to develop their faith and spirituality, to accompany the Gather Conference.[124][125]
November – Nathan Kitchen, former president of Affirmation, published The Boughs of Love: Navigating the Queer Latter-day Saint Experience During an Ongoing Restoration, exploring the LGBTQ experience in the church.[126]
November – Laurie Lee Hall, a former Latter-day Saint stake president, and temple architect, published Dictates of Conscience: From Mormon High Priest to My New Life as a Woman, detailing her experience of socially transitioning in the church.[127][128]
January – The Salt Lake Tribune reported on alleged hiring practices at BYU under Church Educational System commissioner Clark G. Gilbert, which some claimed targeted LGBTQ-supportive faculty. All sources employed by BYU remained anonymous.[129] Several weeks before the release of this article, Clark G. Gilbert and apostle D. Todd Christofferson discussed in a church news interview how they and the CES are working to help young people grow spiritually.[130] A video was later released by Jacob Hansen responding to the Salt Lake Tribune article, claiming the article was biased and unreliable.[131]
February – In a video published by Cwic Media, Greg Matsen interviewed Jacob Christensen, editor of The Cougar Chronicle, a conservative news outlet at BYU. In the interview, they discuss how BYU students and administrators are working to remove DEI and pro-LGBTQ ideology from the university.[132]
March – Organizers of the Sundance Film Festival announced that they would be relocating the festival to Colorado as of 2027. This announcement was made shortly before the passing of Utah House Bill 77, which banned LGBTQ flags, among other flags, from being displayed in government buildings and schools. Many believed that the bill factored into the festival’s decision to relocate.[133]
March – With the passing of Utah’s House Bill 77, Utah became the first U.S. state to ban LGBTQ flags, among other flags, from being displayed in schools and government buildings.[134][135]
April – The Liahona published an article by a bisexual Latter-Day Saint named Leanna Yost, titled "Being a Disciple of Christ When the World Says, 'Be True to Yourself'". The article talks about following church teachings and having faith.[136]
April – The Un Lugar Más En La Mesa podcast was launched by André Pérez and Javier Aguilar. Hosted in Spanish, the podcast answers questions commonly asked by LGBTQ Latter-Day Saints.[137]
April – The documentary A Long Way from Heaven, produced by LGBTQ students at BYU, premiered, chronicling LGBTQ experiences at the university and the lighting of Y Mountain.[138]
May – In response to the ban on LGBTQ flags in Utah, the Salt Lake City Council approved a series of LGBTQ and Juneteenth flags for the city.[139]
May – A video was released by content creator True Millennials telling the story of Julio Ospina. Ospina was a gay Latter-Day Saint who left the church for 9 years. He later returned to the church, married a woman, and had children.[140]
June – Allison Dayton was interviewed by the Salt Lake Tribune. The interview focused on the development of various LDS and LGBTQ groups, as well as the Gather Conference.[141]
June – In United States v. Skrmetti, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld statewide bans on transgender healthcare for minors.[142][143] The decision upheld Utah’s 2023 SB16, among other state laws that prohibited transgender healthcare for minors.[144]
Latter Day Saint movement portal
