First conversation with my Father

Tonight I was sitting at home with my 72 year old father watching tv. The news came on, and then a story about the silent protest held around temple square and church headquarters. Touching that 4500 people showed up. My Dad listened, then said "I don't have anything against Gay people," I just don't like the idea of gay marriage." He mentioned thinking that the Iowa Supreme Court made the wrong choice. I didn't say a lot, but stated that what got the LDS Church in trouble was their black and white attitude about things like this. I pointed out the problem we are having within our community of gay youth suicides. I said to him--imagine how my brother (bishop) would feel if one of his kids were gay. My Dad said--"he'd be pretty unhappy."

It was 10:30 pm, late, and I just didn't quite feel like "coming out." I think that will happen tomorrow on the way back to the airport. I don't ever remember having a conversation about homosexuality with my father before--of any kind. He showed me some degree of rationality still exists in his mind.

Meanwhile--I hope that if some gay young man or woman is reading this blog--they know there is life beyond high school, and beyond the cultural reach of a church which chooses to exclude homosexuals. I want them to know they are loved--both by God, and by many other people like myself who fear for their lives, and hope they can see their way through the fog.

In other life news--I'm dating someone I really like and care about. He's a lot like me, just younger. He grew up LDS, was married, had 2 kids, and divorced. Not sure why I felt like writing this--guess there is a first for everything.