I’m not bitter because I am my own person and I believe what I believe. I think there are many beautiful things about the church—and if they believe that homosexuality is wrong then so be it. Doesn’t affect the fact that I don’t. I feel like it’s usually the ones who are shaky in their beliefs that are the most vocal and oppositional. No?

Secondly, your sensational anecdote about the father physically assaulting his gay son, as if that behavior is somehow condoned and encouraged by the church is absolute bullshit. Above all else, if one was to truly follow what the church teaches, you’d love your kids no matter what. Loving them doesn’t mean you have to agree with or condone everything they do.

You do realize that millions upon millions of people here in the US—who aren’t even Mormon and have never had anything to do with the church—would rather die than have one of their children turn out gay? Especially the older generations. It’s not just a Mormon thing. Physically abusing your own children is never, ever okay, but parents being against their children’s sexual orientation is just a sad reality of life. Of people all over the world.