How can I talk to my parents or bishop about same-sex attraction?

A Few Helpful Tips

• If you feel comfortable talking with a parent, another family member, or a Church leader, consider sharing your feelings with them. Help them understand what you’re going through so they can show love and support.

• If they don’t understand what this experience is like, ask them to read through the Church’s resources on same-sex attraction found in the Life Help and Self-Reliance section on the Church’s website or in the Gospel Library app (some good resources could be Same-Sex Attraction: Family and Friends or Same-Sex Attraction: Church Leaders, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) This may not be an easy conversation to start, but it’s important to get a dialogue going.

• Be patient with the people around you, and remember you are all learning together. If those you love have difficulty understanding or being supportive, they may need your help.

• Treat your parents and leaders with the same kindness and respect you hope they will show to you. The same-sex attraction resources in Life Help and Self-Reliance, such as Same-Sex Attraction: About (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), are designed to help everyone better understand same-sex attraction from a gospel perspective.