For several weeks now I've been working on getting Northern Lights up and running. It's a new moho blog intended to be kind of a hub for faithful LDS gays. There are a bunch of reasons for starting a new blog, and I figured I'd fill everyone in on the back story here. You can read the "official" story on the blog itself at ldslights.org.
A while back I tried to get a feel for what everyone thinks young LDS gays need in terms of resources. There were a lot of good points made, but I left the thread thinking that this community of bloggers, although imperfect, is one of the best resources available. The community is kind of an organic thing with lots of different view points, and that's part of what I love about it. There are smart, good people both in and out of the church who critically think and dialog about issues that matter to me. On the other hand, I've got to say that some of the posts I read on rare occasions don't do me much good. For example, I'm pretty susceptible to online images of shirtless guys. It would be nice to learn from people's blogs without being afraid I'll open a post and get some underwear shot that will tempt me to go looking for more.
And honestly I think my blog is as offensive as any. I'm free and loose with language that doesn't bother me, but very well may bother others. I'm not going to link to any examples of my occasional irreverent posts, but if you've read here very long, you'll probably know what I'm talking about.
What is a trigger for one is not a trigger for others... and one thing that makes this blogging community remarkable is the candid nature of what people talk about. I don't think that should change. However, I do think that if someone is a member of the church looking for information, exploring some personal feelings on the topic, and want to limit their looking to a topic-focused blog that has explicitly stated standards consistent with the church... there has been nothing available.
So, when I heard about North Star, a nonprofit group that has been in the makings for several months now but hasn't fully launched its web presence yet, I was delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in creating an associated blog--Northern Lights. I really do hope that you will put it on your sidebar, add it to your reader, and consider making it a part of your online rounds (there goes the doctor in me... I can't even think of another way to put it!).
I also want to briefly mention that we've tried to include some links to the existing queerosphere on Northern Lights. This was a quick and dirty effort and we tried to only include blogs by folks who consider themselves to be committed to the church for the reasons mentioned above. The trick is, we just based that assessment on our own views, not on your views. We'll try to be in touch with you to check that including your blog is okay, but if you think we've pegged you wrong (one way or the other), it's your own assessment that counts. Please let us know and we'll add your link or take it down.
And maybe my new button can be your new button too. :-)
26 comments:
damn! where do you find the time!?
I apologize for exposing you to my sexy abs on my blog. In my defense, though, I gave adequate warning. :)
I expect I'll get voted off yet another island.
Why isn't Gay Mormon on the list? His blog pioneered much of what's around today. His posts are insightful and heartfelt. In particular, his early posts are great resources.
Master Fob isn't on the list!? He wrote "Getting Out/Staying In" for pete's sake.
If Gay Mormon wants to be included and self-identifies as a faithful Mormon, I'm all for putting him on there. I didn't even make the list that's up there now, and like I said in the post--the process was quick and dirty and nobody should be offended if they weren't properly designated.
Are you GM's official representative? ;-)
Dude, this list isn't the "honor roll" or anything. Anyone can be on it who thinks they belong on it, and I'm pretty sure that given Fob's specific comment (as of right now, the blog's ONLY comment), I don't think he does.
* raises hand *
I want on the list! I'm a self-identifying gay and faithful latter-day saint!
: )
And I'm intrigued... should be interesting to see how this plays-out.
I want to be on The List; I… umm… maybe I converted last night? You don’t know.
Fine!
So it begins. As the unrecognized, and illegitimate leader of the anti-MoHos I have no choice but to hereby instruct all my many minions to keep on doing whatever it was they were doing. Playasinmar, you want to be on our island? We don’t vote; it’s anarchy.
(gosh, you do have a lot going on, L. Do you sleep? :-) I started working on a site months ago and keep putting it on the back burner. Yours looks very nice and I'll be interested to see where it goes.)
I know what you mean about opening a blog and finding seductive photos. I'll try harder not to use them, but they do help to tell a story. Count me in.
Can Hassidic Mohos visit your island Scot? I have a Katana! (+2 Kosher, just ask Playasinmar)
Scot,
What is your island's tradition in regards to offering free leis to visitors?
Playa, thanks for sticking up for me, but like L says, I don't feel the least bit slighted to not be considered a faithful Mormon.
Scot, when are you launching Southern Lights? :)
And of course, Fob, I immediately think of Southern Xposure, the strip club in Sandy, and ... well, another double-entendre that I won't say for fear of how it will make my mind appear ...
i logged on but my tired eyes could hardly decipher the font. i mean, it may be nostaligic/symbolic to use reformed egyptian but at some point there has to be a nod to reality
Kengo
" Can Hassidic Mohos visit your island Scot?"
Visit, sure, but the katana will be needed if you ever wish to leave.
playasinmar
"What is your island's tradition in regards to offering free leis to visitors?"
I always thought free leis were a myth.
MF
" Scot, when are you launching Southern Lights? :)"
Is it odd I thought the same as Kengo at this?
And it will be southernabysmaldarkness.org, and next February.
I heard somewhere that only in darkness does light ever shine meaningfully.
I see that I've "made the cut", and I appreciate being interpreted as a "believer" as I truly do believe...
but, maybe I'm just a born struggler here (no pun intended), but help me with the exclusivity thing... something doesn't fit right. What am I missing?
There was no "cut". There were no auditions, there is no reason for people to feel slighted, there is no exclusivity. I'm going to talk to the person who manages the blogroll and ask that everyone be taken off until they personally make a decision and ask to be on. The monumentally stupid idea of trying to anticipate who would WANT to be on there was mine (not who would deserve or be entitled or anything else), and I apologize.
Despite that I've said in the first blog post, in the supportive pages, and now repeatedly on this blog that this an open and inclusive site merely with a focus on self-identified believing LDS, people still seem to get the impression that it's holier-than-thou and exclusive. I don't know why that is, except that peoples' brains tend to work that way. Did that answer your question? It's not exclusive, peeps. It doesn't replace any existing blog (and certainly not mine).
When Southern Lights or Exposure Island, or eternaldarkness.com get started, I hope it has the same open comment policy so I can go in and say what I want in a manner the blog administrators feel comfortable with. :-)
So what you're saying is that now you're going to take everyone off the blogroll and they have to earn their way on by proving their righteousness to you? My hell, man, what kind of elitist snob are you?
;)
When Southern Lights or Exposure Island, or eternaldarkness.com get started, I hope it has the same open comment policy so I can go in and say what I want in a manner the blog administrators feel comfortable with. :-)
No.
Well, okay. You do now I’m parodying, right? ;-) The site I’m working on, should not, I hope, be construed as some sort of counter argument, and I do understand the desire to have a space for only faithful LDS and I have no argument with that. I just wanted a more appropriate outlet for all the material I’ve collected than a blog. And it’ll be like any other site I’ve administered; I can’t leave a comment un-posted or unaddressed (a disorder addressed in your next post)… And you’re already in the list of links, but we can fight over that if I ever find the time to launch it.
It doesn't have to be a parody to use L's suggested name. Calling your project "Southern Lights" could be considered merely parallel awesomeness.
-L-:
Thanks for the clarification... Now I feel responsible that you've taken everyone off! That wasn't the point. You can do what feels best for you. I was simply asking a question, nothing more. Please put the blogger list back on, please!
Fob, the trick is really making righteousness objectively demonstrable. I'm considering formulating a "righteousness challenge" before anyone can earn their way onto the blessed sidebar. You would have to fast for 2 days, send in an audition tape singing Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree, and provide a photo of your best green jello salad with shredded carrots. For those who want extra points, a recommendation letter from a general authority will receive favorable consideration (but no guarantees).
Beck, I actually appreciate that you asked the question, because I think other people are still wondering what the deal is and I like opportunities to clarify. Filling the sidebar in advance was just a stupid mistake on my part, and I hope people don't hold that against the blog.
You should also require applicants to submit their paystubs and bank statements; financial prosperity is generally a good gauge of righteousness. (This is why I don't qualify.)
And why accept photos? You can't taste the righteousness of a green Jell-O salad in a photo.
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