SSA Annotation Update

There has been significant flap in the bloggernacle over the SSA record annotation issue. Those of you who may have listened to Benji Schwimmer’s Mormon Stories podcast might know about this. (great podcast, BTW http://mormonstories.org/350-352-dance-champion-benji-schwimmer/). It was kind of a “last straw” with him and the Church when an SP who was a friend told him that his disfellowshipment would result in an asterisk, which would prevent him from working with youth.

A rumor has resulted that members with SSA (and simply due to SSA, not sexual activity) are now having their records automatically annotated with an asterisk, and are being barred from working with youth as a result. If this were true, it would be monumentally unfair for lesbians, gays, and bisexuals, and could be one more sign that maybe there isn’t a place in the church for them.

I met with my bishop today, and asked him if my record was annotated for SSA. He pulled up my record and showed me how it all works. He also showed me how bishops know who has annotations (in a way that preserved the confidentiality of the those in the ward with annotations). My record has no annotation. My bishop said “I am not aware of such a policy, and it is not being done in our stake.” Annotations are done in the case of formal church discipline–i.e. disfellowshipment and excommunication. So while Benji’s record might be annotated due to disfellowshipment and repeated homosexual activity, it is not annotated due to SSA.

I put this out there because the rumor has been damaging to LGBs in the church and their allies. I realize this might be hair-splitting for some. There are some legitimate issues out there with LGBTs and the Church, but I think it’s important to get the facts straight. (no pun intended)

NOW, the BSA has a policy preventing gays from working with young men, and that is separate issue from Church discipline, but is in conflict with the Church’s policy on the issue. The Church will have to address this sooner or later. BTW, I’ve worked with scouts many times, and no one has been molested.