Today I had another required medical conference to attend. It was horrible. There's a big emphasis on training doctors for... well, what seems like everything but medicine, hence today's struggle against sleep while someone droned on about safety issues (that I've heard before a million times--just so you know I'm not a safety hater!).
But a while back I attended a conference about relationships that everyone pretty much hated except me. I guess I have a higher tolerance when there are humanities involved. This one was heavy on the poetry and imagery. The keynote presenter shared a Hindu saying that means, "Thou art that," and speaks to empathy. Essentially, through pain and suffering we see ourselves in others.
This relationship conference actually got me thinking about blogging and why I've enjoyed it so much. I like the debates (sometimes) about advocacy and important social issues, but I also like the stories. I wrote as notes during one lecture: "Stories crystallize the meaning content of social narrative." I don't know exactly what that means, but it sounds true. ;-) Stories bring out iconic pictures from real details experienced by real people. I guess I see blogs as distinct from other websites because of the power they have in this regard. I've been a little shy on the storytelling in this blog, but that will likely change.
My notes also centered on "reciprocal influence"- we are not unmoved. When we read stories we are changed, and I hope the change coming from gay Mormon blog stories can always be for the better. I guess I see the community here as a very good resource for gay Mormons who need... something. I hope linking and incessant commenting by me is taken as supportive of these community ideals and doesn't make me obnoxious. ;-)
8 comments:
I just wanted to say that you did a good job of typing this.
I guess I see the community here as a very good resource for gay Mormons who need... something.
Amen! There are other resources, like discussion groups. That's where I started when I first came out to myself. But, it seemed like there weren't many people like me (who want to remain active in the church), at least among those who are most active in the discussion groups. But, I can see that these groups do fill a niche and meet the needs for others.
What I find in the Mormon queerosphere is a diverse set of people with different opinions, different attitudes about the church, but who all respect the other members of the community, even those who have taken different paths.
I guess the important thing to realize is that there is not a one size fits all resource for gay Mormons. The Mormon queerosphere helps some, discussion groups help others. Organizations, like Evergreen and Affirmation, help yet others.
I hope linking and incessant commenting by me is taken as supportive of these community ideals and doesn't make me obnoxious. ;-)
Yes (to the supportive part).
I, for one, certainly hope that you'll be less "shy" and share your story more! You have so much to share... be bold and do so!
I echo M.E. by stating that there is a great "resource" in this community's sharing of each one's story.
I hope linking and incessant commenting by me is taken as supportive of these community ideals and doesn't make me obnoxious. ;-)
Oh L, you’re tolerable ;-), heck, even greatly appreciated.
I guess I see the community here as a very good resource for gay Mormons who need... something.
And don’t forget the gay non-mormons too. I don’t like to think of some of the opinions I held regarding a couple topics before coming here, and, in that aversion, this queerosphere has done it’s job.
And don’t forget the gay non-mormons too
There's gay non-Mormons? Can they do that?
Seriously, that does bring up a question I've had on my mind. Are there gay Baptists? gay Pentacostal's, gay Methodists?, ... I realize that there are undoubtedly people that go to these other churches that happen to be gay. But, do they have any sort of organized presence on the internet like gay Mormon's do?
It would be interesting to hear their stories and how they deal with homophobic teachings at church. In many ways, I think they probably have it worse than gay Mormons do. We may have some homophobic members (including some in leadership positions). But, at least, we don't have to deal with homophobic rhetoric from the pulpit (at least in my ward/stake)
Are there gay Baptists? gay Pentacostal's, gay Methodists
I’ve been wondering where they are too. If anyone has an L-like web location for such folks I’d love to have it. I’d also love to see gay Muslim blogs and what about the Scientologists (probably too much to hope for there…)?
Ugly: thank you. I seldom get complimented on my typing proficiency.
Scot and Enigma: I did have some limited correspondence with a Muslim guy who commented on my blog once. Here's his blog: http://www.straightstruggle.com/
I have a link to a gay (and married) Protestant minister on my blog, and he leads to other gay Christians of various denominations.
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