If you’d known me long enough you would know how I am such a huge supporter of David Archuleta ever since Day 1. I have loved him in his American Idol days and have continued admiring him in his causes, music and all of his projects as a whole. And recently he did something real brave, and that is to come out as a bisexual in an asexual spectrum to the world.
His statement is as follows:
“I like to keep to myself but also thought this was important to share because I know so many other people from religious upbringings feel the same way. I’ve been open to myself and my close family for some years now that I am not sure about my own sexuality.
I came out in 2014 as gay to my family. But then I learned I somewhat have similar feelings for both men and women so identify as being bisexual. I’m still trying to figure things out as I also have learned I don’t have as many sexual desires and urges as most people 💀 which works i guess because I have a commitment to save myself for marriage 🤣. Which people call asexual when they don’t experience sexual urges.
There are people experiencing the same feelings of being LGBTQIA+, (i know that’s a lot of letters that a lot of people don’t understand, but there are a lot of unique experiences people feel and live that make them feel isolated and alone that are represented) a lot of them wrestling to follow their beliefs that are so important to them as I have. Idk what to make of it and I don’t have all the answers.
I just invite you to please consider making room to be more understanding and compassionate to those who are LGBTQIA+, and those who are a part of that community and trying to find that balance with their faith which also is a huge part of their identity like myself. I think we can do better as people of faith and Christians, including Latter-day Saints, to listen more to the wrestle between being LGBTQIA+ and a person of faith. There are more than you may realize going through that wrestle after all the misunderstandings that come with it. I don’t think it should come down to feeling you have to accept one or the other. For me to find peace the reality has been to accept both are real things I experience and make who I am. I’ve yet to figure out what that means but I appreciate you listening to this personal matter. Again I don’t feel comfortable sharing it, but felt I needed to to bring more awareness to people in my same situation and let you know you’re not alone. You can be part of the LGBTQIA+ community and still believe in God and His gospel plan. And people who don’t experience what’s outside of the norm being just heterosexual I just plead that you be more understanding to people who experience and struggle with things that you may not experience and understand yourself. I’ve tried for almost 20 years to try and change myself until I realized God made me how I am for a purpose. And instead of hating what I have considered wrong I need to see why God loved me for who I am and that it’s not just sexuality. So many other traits of who I am come from how I’ve been created. If other people choose to live differently than what you’ve been raised to believe is right, please have compassion because it’s most likely been an exhausting journey for them to be ok with the feelings they have and never have been able to change. Perhaps they weren’t supposed to try and change the way they were created to be. Even if you’re left with so many more questions with faith and sexuality like me I believe being open to both questions and to faith is how we receive answers. God blesses those who ask. So let’s keep asking and seeking, and having compassion and patience. Thank you for listening.”
Honesty and what it entails
When I saw that post on social media one fine day, I felt real proud of him. I just know that it took a lot of courage for someone who is raised in such an environment and religion to come out. Free to be himself. Free to express what’s in his mind.
Your sexuality should not define who you truly are and how you make your impact in this world. It will not erase your effort to live righteously and your relationship with the One above as well. As David as put it, you can live the gospel while being a part of the community and maybe you don’t need to change who you are to fit society’s expectations.
He is asking for compassion and understanding and that’s what het allies (like us) should be able to give. The world is harsh and judgmental already and our support to the members of the community truly means a lot.
There are still a lot to be learned about SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) of an individual and there is still a long way to go to achieve the equal rights that they as humans deserve. But looking back, the society is also more accepting and supportive and that is a good sign. For now.
Happy Pride month! 🏳️🌈
May you continue doing YOU. You make the world extra colorful and better by existing. We will stand by you in this cause for as much as we can.
