New Post on Main Street Plaza
Last February I wrote a story for Main Street Plaza about a cozy relationship between John Eastman and Apostle Dallin H. Oaks. Last week John Eastman was appointed Chair of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).
I see an interesting connection between one of the highest ranking officials from the Mormon Church and NOM.
Read it here.
Dinner with a Polygamist
Some people asked for the text of the essay I wrote and read on the Mormon Expression podcast. So here it is.
I’m pro-polygamy.
Reactions vary when this comes up in conversation, but overall, I think I’m in the minority.
Regarding my beliefs about polygamy a friend once told me, “you only think that way because you’re a man.” But that’s not why. The reason is because I support the rights of consenting adults to form and maintain their own relationships however they chose to define them.
I didn’t always think like this. While growing up in the mainstream Mormon church polygamy was just a quaint 19th century institution practiced by a few people under very specific circumstances. I learned later this was simply not true but learning about the alternative-lifestyle proclivities of early church leaders didn’t upset me.
Being from Utah my family line had multiple polygamists, but we talked about polygamy in the abstract, an idea that works in theory, like Communism, or a Chevy. Read more 
My Essay on Mormon Expression Podcast
One of my favorite podcasts, Mormon Expression, holds an annual essay contest for listeners to share stories pertaining to anything related to Mormonism. $100 is the top prize.
Listeners were asked to write an essay and record it as an mp3. I submitted my mp3 just under the wire and it is now included in an episode of Mormon Expression!! I didn’t win, but I’m still pleased with my essay about polygamy and what I learned from a polygamist woman I befriended. You can listen to it here. I’m the second essay on episode A. Read more
My Interview on Mormon Stories
My parents and I were interviewed by Natasha Helfer Parker for the Mormon Stories podcast. I was glad that both my parents were willing to be interviewed as well and share their experience as parents and as Mormons when their only son (me) came out of the closet. You can listen to the podcast on the website of download it in iTunes.
My coming out story isn’t a horror story. My worst nightmare turned out to not be so bad and I have my parents and family to thank for their unconditional love and support. I understand that my experience is the exception, and this breaks my heart. My story is one of unconditional love and it is my hope that I can carry that message throughout my life.
To all the young, gay (Mormon or otherwise) men and women who may be reading this: remember how special you are. You are beautiful and perfect.
Mocking Mitt Romney
My Fox Memphis reporter Ben Ferguson interviewed people on the streets of Tennessee by asking snarky questions about Mitt Romney and Mormon beliefs. The questions are intended to be “funny” but are rude and laced with mockery, intended solely to lampoon Mormons and Mormon belief. Even the Interfaith Alliance criticized the segment.
Reverend Welton Gaddy, the President of the Interfaith Alliance wrote, “To the benefit of absolutely no one, your segment simply perpetuated misconceptions and misunderstandings of the beliefs of the Mormon faith. Every religion, every belief system has aspects that could seem unconventional to non-adherents, and even to some adherents.”
Skip to about the 3.25 minute mark in this video. (Before that is just political talk. Watch that if you like.) Read more
Homoerotic Mormon Art in Posters
Lots of art is homoerotic, Mormon art or otherwise. I remember this depiction of Lehi because of Sam, the shirtless guy in the bottom left. Those flaming locks of hair, that shoulder, those forearms and hands always pushed me over the edge just a little. Read more
Book of Mormon Musical First Listen on NPR
I saw the Book of Mormon Musical in March and absolutley loved it. I’ve counting down the days until the soundtrack is out so I can buy it and listen to it on a loop.
NPR posted the songs and you can hear them here.
If you want to know what it kind of feels like to be a gay Mormon, listen to “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream.”
“Turn it Off” is the motto of every Mormon I’ve ever known.
“Hasa Diga Eebowai” is one I’ll never forget.
“I Believe” is the song that made me cry when I saw the show.
Review: The Book of Mormon on Broadway
(I tried to write this with absolutely no spoilers so if you want to know more details, email me. If you want to know nothing about the show, don’t read this.)
The Book of Mormon musical is not a show about the Book of Mormon, it is a show where two worlds collide: the world of middle class white Utahans and the Third World of Uganda. With the exception of maybe two short scenes there is no focus on the stories or people who fill the pages of the Book of Mormon. The Broadway show is about religion, faith and the Mormon missionaries who wholeheartedly believe that their church, its history, and sacred texts are true and can solve the problems of the world. They believe in it so much that they voluntarily give up two years of their lives to preach about Joseph Smith, the Restoration and The Book of Mormon. Read more
QTalk Arizona with Brad Carmack
QTalk is back from our (extended) winter break and we are back on schedule! This year will be exciting for us as we continue to grow and expand. We are still hammering out some details but hopefully by next month we’ll be able to announce a new sponsor and partner and take our humble podcast into some new directions.
Today, we’re talking with Brad Carmack, a straight student at BYU in Provo, Utah who recently wrote a book, Homosexuality: A Straight BYU Student’s Perspective. He is an active member of the LDS Church, but in choosing to write this book and doing the extensive research behind it, his opinions about homosexuality and gay marriage have changed from the common Mormon position. In writing the book and speaking out in favor of gay marriage, Brad has put his education in jeopardy by publicly disagreeing with Mormon doctrine. Many of his personal relationships have been strained as well.
Listen as we talk with Brad and learn more about the book and his reasons for writing it.
The podcast is posted on iTunes and on the QTalk.com website, Brad’s blog is here, and you can download his book for free here.
New Post up on Main Street Plaza
I saw a picture of Elder Oaks walking side by side with Dr. John C. Eastman on the Church News website. Just when I think the Church can’t surprise me, it does.
Dr. John C. Eastman is a man on the far-far right, a man who advocates for citizens to rise up and “abolish” their governments if gays and lesbians are ever allowed to marry.
Is this really the kind of guy an Apostle wants to be connected with? The story is posted here.
“Sons of Perdition” Coming to Harkins Camelview
When I lived in Provo, Utah I would sometimes see the “plygs” (a pejorative used in Utah) shopping at the store or in the park. In October I saw a group of polygamist women when I was at the Hoover Dam: Read more
Images of the Mormon Restoration
The power of art to shape our perceptions of historical events is powerful. Depending on the artists agenda, it’s up to him whether or not he wants to depict the event accurately. Creative license is one thing, but being purposefully dishonest is another.
For example, images of the pilgrims sitting around a table with Native Americans at the “First Thanksgiving” reinforce a false image. There was a Thanksgiving in 1637 when John Winthrop, the Massachusetts Colony Governor, proclaimed such a “Thanksgiving” to celebrate the safe return of a band of heavily armed hunters, all colonial volunteers. They had just returned from their journey to what is now Mystic, Connecticut where they massacred 700 Pequot Indians. The feast didn’t look like this: Read more
Emily Pearson on “I’m an Ex-Mormon”
This is our prom picture.
My friend Emily Pearson is in a video for the new “I’m an ex-Mormon” ad campaign. Her life has been extraordinary; she has had many blessing and suffered through many hardships, more than most people could bear. She has written a book (that shares the same title with her blog) “Dancing with Crazy” and it is scheduled to be published this year. I can’t wait to read it.
Read more
My First Post on Main Street Plaza!
Main Street Plaza is an online community for anyone interested in Mormonism.
I’ve been a reader for a long time and I’m excited to say that I have a guest post on the website now!
I came into possession of a 1965 version of a pamphlet called “For the Strength of Youth” and I compared the 1965 edition to the 1990 edition that I grew up reading.
Guilt, Sex and Slobs
Are all young adult Mormon men lazy slobs? Does the Church have such a low opinion of their young men? Are young Mormon men supposed to identify with the guy in this video? If so, that’s really sad. Read more
