LDS Youth with SSA and suicide

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This article below points out that counties with higher percentages of LDS folks in ID and UT (Eastern ID, SLC, Provo, etc) tend to have lower percentages of suicides than counties in ID and UT (Carbon County, UT, for example) with lower percentages of LDS folks.

This is not scientific proof that some LDS youth don’t commit suicide because of LDS teachings.  But it does demonstrate that certain variables (not completely identified) appear to lower the suicide rate in LDS-dense counties vs. less-LDS-dense counties.

This article was written in response to another in which Utah’s LDS population was linked to Utah’s suicide rate.  A rate which is lower than in several surrounding states, all of which have lower LDS population composition.

No correlation between youth suicide and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

“it becomes clear that many of the counties in Utah with the highest percentage of Latter-day Saints also exhibit some of the lowest rates of suicide in Utah.

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Carbon County, one of the four counties with the lowest percentage of Latter-day Saints, has the highest rate. Idaho suicide data seems to run contrary to the story’s evident thesis, at least in part.

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Public Health District 7, which includes eastern Idaho counties with the state’s highest proportion of Latter-day Saints, has Idaho’s lowest suicide rate….”

“Even one suicide is too many, and none of this information discounts what LGBT Latter-day Saints share. We acknowledge the unique challenge it often is for LGBT members to deal with these issues and that some people have been unkind. We should respond with care to our LGBT friends when dealing with complex religious and emotional matters.

We should also expect journalism organizations to avoid oversimplification.”

 

Consider a comprehensive, data-rich analysis on the topic of suicides in general:

Why Have Suicides Increased (Even More) After Enormous Efforts to Reduce Them?

Why Have Suicides Increased (Even More) After Enormous Efforts to Reduce Them?

 

This article was unexpected, but makes sense:  Children’s & Teens’ Suicides Related to the School Calendar:  Psychiatric emergencies and youth suicides rise sharply with the school year.  

 

LDS critics often charge that our faith and its policies precipitate and trigger suicide.

To credibly make claims on this topic, one should review the subject comprehensively.  I link many articles and studies below that will better inform readers of the many associated and complicating variables.

Engaging in this complex issue with unsupported allegations — sadly, something all too often done by LDS critics — is highly irresponsible.

I’ll open the conversation broadly before answering the critics.  

The USA has far too many suicides, but some other countries are worse:

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Russian and Eastern Europe have extremely high suicide rates.

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Older people, white and American Indian/Alaskan Native men are much more likely to commit suicide than others in the US population.

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In connection with suicides, it’s true Utah has a high rate.  In fact, it often ranks between #3 and #10.  But there is a lot of other information on the subject that, in my view, demonstrates that LDS policies and members are not the primary cause of suicides in Utah.

This entire blog on this subject, written on 1/31/16, is worth reading.  It highlights the problems with recent claims that 32 (some reports were as high as 40) young Latter-day Saints recently committed suicide, as a result of Church LGBTQ+ policy.

About that claim of suicides by LDS teens with same-sex attraction

Key paragraph:

“None other than the Salt Lake Tribune, always anxious to find ways to criticize the Church, went looking for information to corroborate the claim of “32 suicides.

But, in a strange twist, actual journalism took place at the Tribune, and they were forced to report that there is no evidence of that many of suicides:

Trouble is, the number (32 claimed suicides) far exceeds the suicide figures collected by the Utah Department of Health.

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Preliminary figures for November and December show 10 suicides in the Beehive State for people ages 14 to 20, with two more cases “undetermined.”

In fact, the department reports, the overall number of Utah deaths for that age group in those months was 25, including the 10 suicides and two “undetermined” cases, along with 11 in accidents, one by natural causes and one homicide.

“We monitor the numbers [of youth suicides] very closely. We review them every month,” says Teresa Brechlin, who works in the department’s violence- and injury-prevention program. “If we had seen such a huge spike, we would have been investigating it.”

Had there been any mention of the LDS Church’s policy on gays, her department “would have noted that,” Brechlin adds. “We have not seen that at all.”

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Another post — There are no known cases of suicide, or even a plausible claim of such a case, as a result of the November 2015 policy — that demonstrates the utter lack of evidence that the November 2015 policy led to any suicides.  

Other paragraphs make the point that depression and suicide are extremely complex.  No one factor triggers suicide.

Various factors play a role in suicide:

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  1.  University of Utah research shows high altitude linked to depression and suicidal thoughts: 

“People with depression tend to have less efficient energy utilization in certain parts of their brain, like the prefrontal cortex,” said Brent Kious, a U. psychiatry professor and the review’s lead author. This energy roadblock, he said, means people have a tougher time overcoming negative emotions.

It turns out other mountainous states have similarly high suicide rates, with Montana, Wyoming and New Mexico also in the top five and Alaska ranked second, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This trend has earned the Intermountain West a morbid nickname: the suicide belt.

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The U. researchers reviewed several U.S. studies that found suicide rates increased with altitude. One that examined nearly 9,000 suicide deaths in 2006 across 15 states found the suicide rate at high altitudes was three times higher than for those living near sea level. Another study noted a “threshold effect,” where suicide rates increased dramatically between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. Salt Lake City’s altitude is 4,265 feet.

Scientists in other countries have discovered similar associations, the U. review found. Suicide rates in Andalusia, a mountainous region of Spain, were higher than the country’s average, a finding correlated with high altitude. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of suicidal thoughts among depressed patients at a high-elevation psychiatric hospital was more than five times higher than at a sea level one.

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These studies have piled up in recent years, Kious said, including several conducted by researchers at the U.  One 2015 study showed how exposure to altitude led to more depression-like behavior in female rats. After a week of thin air, the rats were less likely to struggle in a swim test.

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#2  Ben Shapiro points out recent spike in youth suicides with lack-of-faith connection

“According to the Centers for Disease Control, youth suicide is in the midst of a precipitous and frightening rise. Between 2006 and 2016, suicides by white children between ages 10 and 17 skyrocketed 70%; while black children are less likely than white children to kill themselves, their suicide rate also jumped 77%.

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And as The Blaze points out, CNN reported last year that “the suicide rate among girls between the ages of 15 and 19 rose to a 40-year high in 2015.”

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Male and female rates are rises, but women’s rates are rising more as a percentage.

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A few years back, the trendy explanation was economic volatility — the market crash of 2007-2008 had supposedly created a culture of despair, cured only by suicide. But the economy is booming, and has been growing steadily since 2009.

There are those who blame the rise in drugs as well, particularly opioids — but according to a study from the National Institute of Drug Abuse, drinking, smoking and drug use may be at the lowest levels “seen in decades,” as the Los Angeles Times reports.

There seems to be a crisis of meaning taking place in America. And that crisis of meaning is heavily linked to a decline in religious observance. As The Atlantic observed in 2014, citing a study in Psychological Science:

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The researchers found that this factor of religiosity mediated the relationship between a country’s wealth and the perceived meaning in its citizen’s lives, meaning that it was the presence of religion that largely accounted for the gap between money and meaning.

They analyzed other factors—education, fertility rates, individualism, and social support (having relatives and friends to count on in troubled times)—to see if they could explain the findings, but in the end it came down to religion.

#3:  In addition, population density plays a role.  Rural areas are associated with more suicide.  

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Note:  north central UT is where nearly all Utah residents live.  The highest rates in UT are all in Utah’s south, east along the CO border, or near Coalville and the SW corner of Wyoming.  

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Note the locations of highest suicide rates in Alaska, the state with the highest suicide rate in the USA.  These are rural areas with lots of guns.

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Note the population density of Alaska.  Suicides occur most in very rural areas.  Similar to Utah and other states.

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Focus in on Utah in the map below.  Note where Utah’s highest rates are located.  It’s not along the Wasatch Front.

Highest rates are close to the corner with Wyoming and in the eastern and southern parts of the states.  All very rural.

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A look at Utah’s population density:

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Nearly everyone in Utah lives between North Ogden and Nephi.

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Utah elevation.  The cities in Utah are located in the valleys just west of the mountains.  No surprise the rate of suicide is lower from Brigham City to Nephi.

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#4:  Gun availability is a factor in every state, including Utah:

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Utah doesn’t have the highest gun-ownership percentage.  But those states that rank in the top 1/3 tend to have many more suicides than those states with fewer gun owners.  

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Correlation isn’t causation, but the trend is obvious:

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Americans commit suicide with a firearm about 1/2 the time.  People in other countries almost never kill themselves with a gun.

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Roughly 1/2 of suicides are committed by firearms:

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Homicides are dropping, suicides are rising, and gun availability has consistently grown:

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Kids commonly use a parent’s gun:

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Suicide has significantly contributed to the total of firearm fatalities in recent years: 

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#5:  Race, age, and gender play a role in suicide:

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White men — in pure numerical terms — common suicide much more.

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Alaska Natives have a high rate of suicide attempts.

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Compared to Canadians, the Nunavut Inuit have much, much higher suicide rates.

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Native Alaska males and non-native males are highest:

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Peaks among the young and older:

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Across the USA by age:

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When teens are in prison they are at much higher risk than the adults in the same prison:

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White males are at much higher risk.

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Young people hang themselves much more commonly as a percentage than older people.

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Rich young people are more common than rich older people.  Suicide is less common in the poor countries of the world.

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Suicide compared to other causes of death:

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Education makes a difference:

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#6:  Different professions and job environment are associated with higher suicide rates:

Young people are committing suicide at alarming and growing rates.   However, more than young people are dying.

“It’s not just young people. According to Tom Simon, a CDC report author, “We know that overall in the US, we’re seeing increases in suicide rates across all age groups.” As of 2016, suicide levels were at 30-year highs.

Area of employment is also associated with risk factors.

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Those in the military facing combat had higher suicide rates:

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Working outside and installing/repairing things is stressful.

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We’ll focus more specifically on Utah below.

Other Rocky Mountains states and Alaska have higher rates than Utah.  Not all studies find the same results, but they are similar.  Utah is #5 in the U of Utah study below:

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#5 in this study:

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Utah Department of Health reported Utah is ranked #7:

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This link to 2017 CDC data ranks Utah #6.  

2/3 of adolescents who committed suicide were involved with the criminal justice system.  And 90% had mental illness.

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In conclusion, suicide is complex.  Please understand the data before wading into the debate.

Happiness

 

Additional and applicable thoughts:

This study — 5 Reasons why Mormons are Happier — shares this about suicides:

“I then asked Hunter about conflicting research that shows that even though Mormons in general rank as very happy, Utah (which is nearly 70% Mormon) has a high suicide rate and a lot of women on antidepressants.

How do those two facts square with Utah as one of the happiest places in the USA?  “Research shows that some of the happiest places in the world also have the highest suicide rates,” Hunter explains.

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“Some people think that this paradox is explained by relative comparisons of utility. People compare their happiness to other people’s. It may feel particularly painful to be unhappy when everyone around you is happy.

There’s also a lot of research that talks about elevation and suicide.” (See here for a brief discussion of the role of altitude and mountains in suicide rates.)

Helpful presentation on this topic:

Homosexuality and the Gospel

It is very valuable to gain more perspective on this topic.

Episode 4: Homosexuality and the Gospel – Ty Mansfield

 

 

Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) Support Groups within the LDS Church:

Addresses given at the North Star Conferences:

As one experiencing the challenges of Same Sex Attraction and being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tom shares some healthy insights on how to approach individuals (Adult or youth) who are experiencing such inclinations.

Same-sex Marriage and the role of Religion By William Duncan

LGBTQ issues, support groups, & the LDS Church

To start, perhaps the best resource is this:  https://mormonandgay.lds.org/

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Elder Christofferson’s brother, Tom, is gay.   Watch this Apostle discuss the authentic feelings LGBT people experience in this segment: “Feelings are Real and Authentic“.

Elder Christofferson is further welcoming in this video: “Is There a Place for Me?

LDS Daily produced this article:  Same-Sex Attraction, Safe Spaces, and the Savior.

Please watch many, many videos about this topic.  You’ll be glad you did.  You’ll learn a lot.

This is a blog by a gay administrator at BYU who recently visited our stake.  Wonderful man with an inspiring and challenging story.

Jeff at LDS Q&A created this on 2/16/20:

The 3 Mormons get a wonderful interview with Richard Ostler:

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Another wonderful support group:  Affirmation.  They’ve been around for a long time!

Our Vision

  • Affirmation will be a strong, viable and financially sound organization.  It will be an inclusive LGBTQ/SSA Mormon organization serving tens of 1000s of LGBTQ/SSA Mormons, their families, and friends worldwide.
  • Many non-LGBTQ Mormons will know about Affirmation and choose to turn to Affirmation to learn more about how to support their LGBTQ Mormon family and friends.
  • Larger numbers of LGBTQ/SSA Mormons will be comfortable attending their wards as singles and couples.
  • Our stories and voice will have transformed non-LGBTQ/SSA Mormons’ understanding of our experience and relationships.

Our Shared Leadership & Organizational Values

  • Christ-like love, respect, optimism, humility, patience, non-judgment
  • Authenticity, openness, diversity and integrity
  • Living by the Spirit to foster increased learning and understanding.
  • Model/be an example for others of a happy gay Mormon life.
  • Supporting all affected by the nexus of homosexuality and Mormonism, the interests of the individual being above the needs of the church.
    • Avoid taking positions on church doctrine.
    • Avoid taking positions on how people choose to act on their sexuality or not.
    • Provide a sounding board for those who are hurting.
    • Become a place of healing. Honor each  individual’s path and help them process through it.
  • Own our faith, following our own inspired agenda as we welcome conversation with the church.
  • Encourage church activity among LGBT Mormons who are interested, creating a world where both homosexuality and LDS faith coexist.
  • Avoid duplicating anything being done by other groups but develop cooperative relationships to support others and bring us to unity

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You must also visit ldslights.org, the Northern Lights Blog.  The 1st paragraph from their “About” page below:

“Northern Lights is the official blog of North Star International. It was created by several established bloggers who are believing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and who have first-hand experience with issues surrounding homosexuality or gender dysphoria/transgenderism.

Northern Lights is to be a place where we and our readers can openly explore and discuss topics and issues of interest to the LDS community—and particularly as they relate to homosexuality and transgenderism in Mormon faith and culture—in an edifying and uplifting manner and within the framework of commitment to the beliefs and ideals of the Church.”

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Brief description of North Star International below.  So many resources available there.  Check it out!

“North Star supports Latter-day Saint individuals and families concerned with sexual orientation or gender identity who seek to live in joy and harmony within their covenants, values, and beliefs as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Helpful presentation by LDS family therapist, Dr. Robinson:

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Ty Mansfield is the co-founder of Northern Lights. Ty has written many articles, book chapters, and has published at least 2 books on the subject.

Ty was interviewed by Laura Hales on the LDS Perspectives Podcast:  Homosexuality and the Gospel

I watched this presentation (given in 2014) of Ty, and appreciated his perspectives. In addition to sharing his experiences and providing many helpful definitions, Ty shared published and widely known (among those in the field) data  regarding LGBTQ issues.

Lisa Diamond’s (who is also lesbian) studies are specifically discussed around the 20:25 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSa5yDsXkw0

For several minutes Ty cited Lisa Diamond, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Utah.  Ty uses the exact same data and slides that Dr. Diamond uses in her own presentations.  Dr. Diamond is a recognized expert in sexual fluidity, especially among women.  Dr. Diamond gave this lecture — Sexual Fluidity in Men and Women — in 2013 at Cornell.

Dr. Diamond’s data below:

According to a 2002 study, 14% of all women and 7% of all men reported some level of Same-Sex Attraction (SSA).

Among that group reporting some level of SSA, most men (79%) and nearly all women (95%) reported attraction “mostly other sex.”  You see, this isn’t exclusive SSA.

In fact, only 21% of men and 5% of women with SSA were exclusively attracted to the same sex.  In other words, almost no women reported being exclusive lesbians.

Change in exclusive same-sex attraction in the U.S. population over the years (2002-2010).  Never 3% for men and never 1.5% for women.

More people report being bisexual (especially women on the right side), but the number of exclusive SSA (in black) is fairly constant.

Fascinating data.  I never realized that so many with SSA were not exclusively attracted to the same sex.

Ty and his wife were featured in LDSLiving.com in this story:  Living with Same-sex Attraction: Our Story

Editor’s note:   Same-sex attraction is a sensitive and complex issue. We feel it is important to try to understand how we can better meet the needs of friends, family, and Church members who experience SSA. Ty and Danielle graciously shared the following story as a first step in creating a more open dialogue about same-gender attraction in the LDS community. We are in no way suggesting marriage is a catch-all solution; we recognize everyone’s experience is different. This is simply one man’s story of finding fulfillment and happiness while living in harmony with the gospel.
Ty’s book:
An invaluable resource on the topic of same-gender attraction, this unique volume includes six plenary chapters featuring notable authors and gospel scholars: Brad Wilcox, M. Catherine Thomas, Camille Fronk Olson, Wendy Ulrich, Robert L. Millet, and Michael Goodman.
In addition, each chapter includes personal essays or first-person stories of faith and commitment from Latter-day Saints who have dealt with same-gender attraction. Ty Mansfield says, “If you personally experience same-gender attraction, I hope the Spirit will impress upon you the depth of God s love for you, that you will know you belong in His church and kingdom, and that you will know there are many who walk this journey of faith with you.”
Summary:  Jesus loves everyone.  The LDS Church embraces everyone.

Change, Progress, Leadership, LGBTQ issues, and the LDS Church

Jeff at LDS Q&A created this on 2/16/20:

A friend of mine — who’s no longer active & with whom I have very frequent debates/discussions — complained to me this AM that the Church changes all the time.  I told him he’s right.  Our church does change.  And it’s a good thing.

We have had many such discussions in the past.  We respect each other, but disagree a lot.  A lot!

Then I told him that he criticizes the LDS Church for changing and for not changing.  “Which is it”, I asked?  Should we change or not?  You can’t have it both ways!

I asked him to think of his favorite organization and least favorite.  His least favorite — at least the one he nags about the most — is the LDS Church.  He didn’t commit to another organization, saying the Church was the only organization he belonged to.

Not letting him off the hook, I asked him about his favorite college and how they changed through the years.  He understood my point — lots of challenges and even possibly (gasp and yikes!) mistakes in adapting with the times.

Nobody anticipates every challenge decades in advance and avoids these complex challenges and social issues.  Everyone changes and adapts.  I’d argue the better the leadership the better the changes.  The LDS Church is blessed with very capable, experienced, thoughtful, and inspired leaders.

But, don’t forget!  Our prophets aren’t perfect.  They’re fallible, despite being great individuals:

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The issue my friend brought up was this story (read link below) about the LDS Church and the upcoming support concert for LGBTQ youth.   Dan Reynolds — lead singer for Imagine Dragons — is one of the major performers at this event.  Dan is LDS and has criticized the Church’s LGBTQ positions in the past.  The Church’s relationship with the LGBTQ crowd has been rocky to say the least.  Dan praised the LDS Church’s announcement, supporting this event.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/2017/08/16/imagine-dragons-dan-reynolds-gets-a-boost-for-his-lgbtq-fundraising-concert-from-an-unexpected-source-the-mormon-church/

The Church and its leaders love everyone, including LGBTQ kids (and adults).  The Church hasn’t changed doctrinal positions.  Yet, they may be taking effective steps toward more positive outreach.

By the way, I love Imagine Dragons.  Dan and his band are awesome!