What happens when a true believing mormon mom discovers that two of her “future missionary” sons are gay/queer/nonbinary? Just when Linda Barney thought she had the perfect life planned for her family, she discovered that letting her kids be exactly who they are and loving them unconditionally was a far happier and healthier path to follow than the one she had always been taught to believe in. Join us for this compelling Thrive Stories episode about Parenting LGBTQIA children.
Thrive Stories is a new podcast series where Margi (alongside John or Jenn) will be interviewing a member of the community twice per month. The interviews will be shorter (1-2 hours), story-based, but will be focused on a particular aspect of healing and growth AFTER a Mormon faith crisis (thus the THRIVE name). They will happen on Tuesdays at noon (MST). Some examples of areas of thriving include: Family Relationships, Healthy Boundaries, Finding Community, Finding Meaning/Purpose, Dealing with Grief/Death, Religion after Mormonism, Health Sexuality, Parenting, Improving Physical Health, Identity, Health Marriage/Relationships, Secular Spirituality, Word of Wisdom 2.0, and Women Finding Their Own Voice after Mormonism.
If you would like to nominate someone you know who would be a great candidate for a THRIVE interview, please nominate them (or yourself) here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefPM4vCZXpQeOjxXJcNHLCnpYv2Sej1tfNcOeipEt8UdE-rw/viewform
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Show notes:
Instagrams:
The God Who Weeps (Terryl Givens):
Suicide hotline:
- Phone Number: 988
- https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/
The Family Acceptance Project:
MS Scrupulosity episodes
Echkart Tolle:
Michael Singer – Untethered Soul:
John Dehlin TEDx talk: “The Ally Within”
Dear Evan Hansen Song – “Words Fail”:
Linda’s candles: Link on Instagram
I’d like to add something. I listen to all of these as they are fascinating and resonate with me. I don’t have an LGBTQIA+ child. I do though, have children who don’t fit. Haven’t ever fit into the rigid and narrow mold of Mormonism. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of this, I have learned what that means when parenting. Unconditional love is what Linda describes here and it’s what I have learned in having children that don’t fit. Don’t fit so extremely that they too have tried to take their own life. Never would I ever cling to an organization over a family member. I don’t get it. So, I just wanted to make you aware that there are parents out there that have similar experience with children, LGBTQAI+ and/or not. Kids that have mental challenges, physical limitations, families that don’t function supreme….all of these factors make attending church a challenge. To be constantly preached to about ideals is like being stabbed in the heart each week. I still attend and teach even. Guess what I facilitate in my class? LOVE. So simple and cliche even to some, but true love, no judgement. This can be difficult when it comes to trying to keep certain boundaries and standards. I believe in striving for excellence within reason. I believe in loving others and serving. I am not able to attend church with my kids (they wont come with me). They don’t like how things are being taught and don’t agree with certain things. I remain on the fence as it were. Doing my best as always, trying to be happy. Loving my family. Attending church when I can and focusing on LOVE. Thank you Linda for a beautiful story. ❤️. Thank you Mormon stories for helping so many of us feel normal.
*Doesn’t Fit*