TLC Controversy Over SSA Mormons Featured on 'My Husband's Not Gay'

(Post update below.) By now, you’ve probably heard about the upcoming TLC special ‘My Husband’s Not Gay’ that will feature male Mormons who experience same-sex attraction but choose to marry women – and are happy!

However, not everyone’s happy that they’re happy (particularly liberal champions of tolerance – only on their terms) and have launched a media campaign to have the show cancelled before it even airs. Here's the promo video if you haven't seen it:

Video Clip: My Husband's Not Gay

To be frank, I’ve been reading rumblings about this show for the last few weeks, before the backlash to try and shut it down ever began and have had mixed feelings about having this part of my Mormon faith exploited, which is what TLC is doing.

However, I also understand the importance of (as faithful members) taking this type of opportunity to speak our truth in a world that is falling fast in rejecting moral truths that have been the backbone of society and families since the beginning of time. And for this reason, I’m willing to (at least for now) lend my support to having our doctrine put out there in this manner. 

At the very least, it will create opportunities for LDS members to teach others what we believe about homosexuality, marriage and following the counsel of living prophets on these matters. And, provide to those watching (who might themselves be struggling with SSA) an option against what the world is now advocating, which rejects this option -- as dangerous.

Ty Mansfield, founder of the website North Star International (a supportive community for faithful Mormons who experience SSA and desire to live the teachings of the Church, unequivocally) is speaking out in support of the show and challenging those who would have it censored. What adds to Mansfield’s credibility is that he, too, is SSA and happily married to a woman. In his own words:

“As a man in a similar situation, and who is very happily married to a woman whom I adore, and with three beautiful children whom I wouldn’t trade for the world, I’m thrilled that TLC is willing to profile the stories of one minority group that gets very little exposure in the pop cultural media because LGBT, Inc., is threatened by the fact that our very existence challenges its identity, its distorted socio-cultural narrative, and its socio-political agenda. 

 The Mormon Church was blasted in 2008 for supporting Proposition 8, and there have been several “No H8″ propaganda campaigns since then, but the sheer hatred and ugliness I have seen from LGBT folks and supporters around this TLC special far exceeds anything I’ve seen from the vast majority of religious folks and is shameful and hypocritical coming from a community proclaiming that “all love is equal.” The hypocrisy and double-standard is mind-blowing. It’s fascinating to me how our popular culture has so evolved to become almost fascist about sexuality and it’s prescription about what it means to live authentically or to be “true to one’s self”, simply trading all the old myths and falsehoods about sexuality they’ve fought against with new ones. 

 The LGBT community, which claims to be against suppression, would be happy to suppress our stories simply because they feel threatened by them. There is a simple truth that some people who are attracted to others of the same sex would choose to marry and remain faithful to someone of the opposite sex—and who are living happy, authentic lives, being completely “true to ourselves.” We’re here, and without telling others how they “should” live, we have a story to tell—and I’m thrilled that TLC is open-minded enough to be willing to provide a forum for that telling.”

Along with other LDS bloggers, who consider these faithful members (willing to speak their truth in public) modern day heroes, I’m urging you to read Ty’s excellent post in full and share it. Surely, these families need all the love and support we can gather on their behalf. 

Northern Lights Blog: TLC Controversy and Letters to GLAAD

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released a statement in regard to the TLC show 'My Husband's Not Gay':

Update: Mormon Newsroom: Church Responds to Questions Regarding Upcoming TLC Program

A new program on the TLC cable channel to air later this month, titled "My Husband's Not Gay," has generated significant news media coverage this week. Several journalists have asked the Church questions about the program because it features three Mormon couples. While the Church has no connection to the program and rarely comments on commercial productions, Church spokesman Eric Hawkins gave the following statement to the media regarding the issues being discussed:


“The decision for a woman and man to marry is deeply personal. While the Church does not promote marriage as a treatment method for same-sex attraction, couples who are trying to be lovingly supportive of each other while being true to their religious convictions deserve our support and respect.”

Official information regarding the Church’s position and teachings on same-sex attraction can be found here:

www.mormonsandgays.org 

www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/same-sex-attraction

tDMg

Kathryn Skaggs

Official LDS Church website: http://mormonsandgays.org/

Where the Church stands: 

"The experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not choose to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love and understanding, the Church reaches out to all God’s children, including our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters."