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I’m an unorthodox momon. My wife is TBM. We both agree that we’d like to spread the love with our fellow LGBT ward members this Sunday. If we quietly wear a rainbow pin or sticker, could we expect our Bishopric to ask us to remove them?
I suppose legally they have the right to do so. I’m more curious with church policy on the issue. Does anyone know what the handbook says?
(Last question) Does anyone here have any personal experience or first hand experience of a friend in this situation?
There is probably some leadership roulette involved. In my ward it wouldn’t be an issue. I like to think most bishops would let it pass – there are GA statements about it being OK to have the opinion. I don’t think the handbook specifically addresses the subject, and legally I don’t think they could ask you to remove a pin – you do still have free speech rights. As far as first hand experience, we have two young men who grew up in our ward who came out as young adults. Both sets of parents still live in the ward. As a ward we’ve had some fairly open discussions about loving these guys while not necessarily loving the “sin.”
I have a hard time imagining any bishop would ask you to remove the pins. There will be some hits to your social capital in the ward. I personally would not wear the pins because some would see it as being divisive, contentious, and grandstanding in the church worship service. I imagine that it would just highlight the battle lines.
In my opinion it would be better to quietly speak up in discussions as a voice or restraint, tolerance, and compassion for those that are hurting.
I don’t think they would do anything. In fact I bet some have no idea what it would represent. My mom used to wear jeans with a Marijuana leaf stiched on the pocket. She just thought it was a design. It was funny when us kids saw it and told her what it was. She had been wearing it to church activities and no one said a word to her.
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