"Gay Equality" and the Church

This topic frustrates me, probably like it does others, only from varying angles.  I want to say something like, "What the world doesn't want you to know...," or "What I have to say is unpopular."  It seems in society we have to be part of some minority or be "unpopular" in order to have a something valid to say.  But I understand this is a touchy subject and that there are several understandable and valid perspectives out there.

This is mine.

I feel like I'm in some sort of minority, but I don't know if that's true.  Perhaps it depends on what social circles we're talking about.

Thing is...in many ways, I'm already an equal in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

-First off, and most importantly I'm already in equal in that I'm a son of God.  I'm His child just like anyone else.  Something I like is thinking "I am..." and letting the silence speak for itself.  Underneath all labels, everything associated with this mortal existence, I am...

-I have equal access to all the blessings of the gospel.  If it's true that in eternity, every blessing will be mine, then there it is.  I don't understand how it will all work out.  If I don't have a wife and children in the eternities, I'm sure the Celestial Kingdom will have an *equal* amount of blessings for me.  Whatever those are.

-No one has ever denied me the right to marry, save for being underage.  I've had equal access to the rights and blessings of marriage.  We could talk about gender, but the way this has been portrayed in some narratives...I've been denied the right to marry...like...at all.  But that's not true.  Whether it would be good for me or advisable is an entirely different story.  I've had equal access to marriage.

-I bear the Priesthood and can go forward just like any man or woman who is endowed with priesthood power.

-I can serve in the temple...I can even take part in temple sealings!  I've even been to the temple with gay friends.  Heck, I've even been applauded by a wedding entourage as I exited the Bountiful Temple one time.

-I can serve in a wide variety of church callings...some of them not, but because I am single, not because I am gay.  There are some specific callings that do require a married man or a married couple.  If you ask me...I can't say I even desire those callings.  However, I do know many a gay person who have served in leadership callings throughout the Church.

-When it comes to relationships, literally no one has ever said I can't love a man...it's been some others in the gay community who have told me that I can't "love a man" in my church.  In a world where "love is love," I'm free to love in many beautiful ways...some of which I've yet to explore.  Yes, love is love, but is love always sex and marriage?

-In a world where same-sex marriage is legal, it would be nice to have some sort of equivalent for people who believe in marriage as outlined in the Family Proclamation.  As I've mentioned in other posts, I've loved learning about the idea of wedded brotherhood and promise-bound friendships.  I get the argument about legal protections, and who knows?  Maybe if our leaders can see enough couples being chaste together they'll be ok with time-only marriages for legal reasons.  But...does it have to be marriage?  Do we have to get married in order to see ourselves as equal?

I understand that in Utah and some other states, they gave up on civil unions/domestic partnerships because same-sex marriage was legalized.  Did those who pushed for gay marriage believe they were helping all gay people, or all gay people who wanted to be partnered?  Are there going to be any allies advocating for changes in culture...to allow for friendship and brotherhood to be rekindled in religious traditions?  Or is it just going to continue to be a push for marriage to be redefined?  Some have used the argument of "separate but equal."  Well...that's what I want.  I might want my relationships to be equal in value and importance as that of marriage, but it's not marriage.  It's something different.  I want it to be that way.

-I believe that...aside from the cultural baggage, we could be really close to realizing same-sex relationships, partnerships, friendships...whatever you want to call...as valuable and worth celebrating, even within the context of man-woman marriage and the law of chastity.

Are there things that can improve for gay people in the Church all around?  Of course.  Are there cultural hurdles to get over?  Definitely.  I just like pointing out all the good things that are happening.

So anyway.  I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on this.  It's fairly common for me to come across posts from people who are waiting for "gay equality" in the Church.  There's a lot I don't know.  I'm becoming increasingly open to uncertainty.  But for me, "equality" is already here.  I'm not defined by my sexuality nor my relationship status.  Those things are pretty powerful and important in ones life, but I'm already equal because I am a loved son of God, serving in His kingdom and trying to serve and love those around me.