LDS & LGBTQ+ RESOURCE GUIDE
For the Free Videos for parents and leaders, click here.
For the LDS & LGBTQ+ Support Course, click here.
GROUPS:
Emmaus LGBTQ Ministry envisions a community of heterosexual/cisgender and LGBTQ Latter-day Saints who are called to ministry for the safety, well-being, and happiness of LGBTQ people in and adjacent to The Church of Jesus Christ. They host monthly devotionals and social gatherings throughout the year.
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Lift and Love was created for the sole purpose of supporting, teaching and empowering LGBTQ + LDS families. They have an active social media presence where they share inspiration and resources, as well as free support groups held throughout each month, for both parents/family of LGBTQ+ people, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals.
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Affirmation creates worldwide communities of safety, love, and hope and promotes understanding, acceptance, and self-determination of individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, as they define their individual spirituality and intersection with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They host online devotionals and in-person meetings and events.
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North Star is a faith-affirming resource for Latter-day Saints addressing sexual orientation and gender identity, and who desire to live in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the doctrines and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They host events in person and provide online resources.
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PODCASTS:
This is my own podcast, which focuses on short-but-sweet mental health and therapy topics. A few episodes feature LDS & LGBTQ+ topics in particular:
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Hosted by Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird, two gay members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, who have weekly guests to discuss common questions and concerns about being LGBTQ+ and LDS. Episodes usually feature a guest to discuss a specific question or topic.
Hosted by Richard Ostler, this podcast was created to help LDS members better understand their LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. With over 500 episodes, each one featuring a guest telling their unique story, this podcast highlights many marginalized or underrepresented groups, especially LGBTQ+.
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Created by mothers with LGBTQ+ children, this podcast was created for supporting, teaching, and empowering LGBTQ+ and LDS families. It focuses primarily on providing education and hope for the parents and families of LGBTQ+ individuals within the Church.
BOOKS:
Introductory:
​Listen Learn and Love - Richard Ostler
A Walk in My Shoes - Ben Schilaty
Without the Mask - Charlie Bird
Is He Nuts? - Dennis Schleikner
That We May be One - Tom Christofferson
Tender Leaves of Hope - Meghan Decker
Love Boldly - Becky Mackintosh
No More Goodbyes - Carol Lynn Pearson
Advanced:
Queer Mormon Theology - Blair Ostler
Tabernacles of Clay - Taylor G Petrey
Gay Latter Day Saint Crossroads - Evan Smith
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THERAPY:
I would love to be your therapist, and you can book a session or a free 15 minute consultation by clicking "Book a Session" in the main menu. But if time, location, cost, or any other reason means you cannot work with me, here are other great resources for therapists who understand the complex intersection of being LDS and LGBTQ+:
Encircle (Utah, soon ID, AZ, & NV)
In addition to providing social gatherings and programs at their "Houses," Encircle provides affordable, affirming, and first-rate therapy: a service every LGBTQ+ person deserves. Their therapists have experience in navigating the complex intersections of sexuality, gender, and religious beliefs.
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Flourish Therapy is committed to expanding access to affordable, culturally competent, evidence-based behavioral and mental health services for LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and families. They provide individual, couples, family and group counseling for all age groups, including short- and long-term counseling, crisis intervention, parent intervention, and support services with a focus on quality care for LGBTQIA+ clients and their families.
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Celebrate Therapy is the first clinic in Provo, Utah, and the surrounding area, owned and run by a team of queer clinicians. They work to support clients in discovering confidence and support in their own queerness, and work alongside family members learning how to support their queer loved ones.
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Flourish Point, Inc was created to provide compassionate, evidence-based, accessible, and affordable mental health care and support services for minorities and people who identify as LGBTQ+ and their families. They are located in Rexburg, Idaho.
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Psychology Today (U.S. nationwide)
If any of the above resources do not work for you, I recommend Psychology Today as the best place to find a therapist. You can search the country's largest database of therapists and filter based on location, cost, insurance, specialty, gender, age, etc, to make sure you find the right fit.
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