tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post7721191186266149556..comments2022-07-14T03:11:28.694-07:00Comments on Musings from a Transgender Mormon: Sticks and Stones: Wounds and Tears from the Current Transgender Discourse among Church membersKylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04763649377824949438noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post-82252230141805904232018-01-06T00:49:21.900-08:002018-01-06T00:49:21.900-08:00Thank you for the encouragement to share your stor...Thank you for the encouragement to share your story. A few times at church, I've been present when comments that oversimplify or dismiss gender dysphoria are made. I tend to stumble over my words when speaking orally, especially about a topic I very much want to word carefully because it matters a great deal, so I haven't said anything (except perhaps a quiet "it's more complicated than that," hoping someone sitting near will listen and hear). Inside, I think "but you don't know Kyle. You haven't considered that the implications of this struggle are far more vast than you may even think to think, because it's something that is usually so inherently simple, the base of our paradigm. If you could only read the blog, you'd come to notice and appreciate the depths so much more, and I hope you'd be loving." <br /><br />Just an hour ago, I saw a Facebook video shared (but not made) by an LDS person about how children shouldn't be able to transition, despite the AAP allowing or encouraging it. I agreed with that basic premise, but because it and the other points were presented so matter-of-factly, so black and white, I wrote a little spiel about how we need to be compassionate, illustrated with indirect (not named) examples of worries you've shared. I love that you've shared your thoughts so I can hopefully help be an ally in what ways I can, and I hope I don't do it wrong or hurtfully. It's hard to know how to balance conviction and testimony with empathy and tolerance sometimes, but it's well worth the effort to try.Angela Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02812795184595491517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post-56706670207296736852017-09-17T20:32:42.997-07:002017-09-17T20:32:42.997-07:00Thank you. This is very valuable. Very insightfu...Thank you. This is very valuable. Very insightful and real. Please continue to write.<br />Tina Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04721595671774240316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post-6883499670035436182017-06-17T13:32:47.348-07:002017-06-17T13:32:47.348-07:00If people really had the Spirit and walked their t...If people really had the Spirit and walked their talk, they wouldn't act so. When I was a little kid, I had very bad vision and was severely cross-eyed. I enjoyed coming to church because that was the only place I could go where the other kids wouldn't tease me. Sad to say, this is no longer true. I brought a black investigator to church once. Nobody would speak to us and sit by us.<br /><br />People are uncomfortable being around people whom they perceive as being different in any way. But, when people truly have the Spirit, they love everyone, and the differences don't matter to them. Either that, or they see them as blessings.<br /><br />You might not like me saying this, but sooner or later, you will come to the realization that this is not the church you and I grew up believing that it was.John Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00382934036319968108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post-9165384957930836522017-04-29T21:15:37.118-07:002017-04-29T21:15:37.118-07:00My heart goes out to you friend. People can be hur...My heart goes out to you friend. People can be hurtful and judgemental about things they don't underatand. It has always been my policy to ignore them as best I can, and correct them when I cant.<br /><br />Honestly, the comments section of deseret news and facebook are almost always filled with vitriol, no matter the topic.<br /><br />I still entirely don't underatand gender dysphoria at all, even after reading several of your blog posts, but I hope to eventually.Davidhttp://dracoexmachina.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post-73651832292880850872017-03-21T09:41:49.293-07:002017-03-21T09:41:49.293-07:00"I start repairing the damage and another roc..."I start repairing the damage and another rock falls."<br /><br />It was a difficult decision, but I decided to build my house away from a mountain with loose rocks so that I wouldn't have to worry about base human fundamental level things from being destroyed. I'm sure you get the analogy.Joannanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post-84260152707969213202017-02-24T06:29:40.899-08:002017-02-24T06:29:40.899-08:00I'm really sorry, I found this to be too true:...I'm really sorry, I found this to be too true: <br /><br />"Yet each time those stones are hurled, they land in my house. They break my heart, and they attempt to evict me from my little shack here in Zion. . . . Black and white. Right and wrong. Get with the program. Your struggles aren't real, your problems are fake or you are simply crazy, stop wasting our time and get a grip. . . . Teach your children that it's okay to disagree, it's okay to not understand, but it's never okay to denigrate a child of God."<br /><br />Know that there are those that love you regardless of choices/identity/circumstances and accept your reality. I support you in it. I grew up with a slight amount of gender dysphoria, and it was painful, I can only imagine the pain you have described to be much, much worse by comparison. My heart goes out to you. jeremyvhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860581974346017759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post-35132329771361150962017-02-23T13:21:42.570-08:002017-02-23T13:21:42.570-08:00Wow, absolutely beautiful. Than you so much for sh...Wow, absolutely beautiful. Than you so much for sharing. I have a son who has autism and isn't able to fully communicate with me. He talks often of feeling like he is not the correct gender. I'm terrified for him, because he's already judged for having autism at church. Your words help me know that he is not alone. Your example shows me and others the Savior's way, and I thank you. This is Us!https://www.blogger.com/profile/12531613009450677634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post-66606969846312470692017-02-23T07:39:29.111-08:002017-02-23T07:39:29.111-08:00Kyle you are a great inspiration. Your analogy is ...Kyle you are a great inspiration. Your analogy is perfect. The lord loves you as he does all of his children. Your strength is astounding. I'm sure the love of our Heavenly Father strengthens you everyday. I was having conflicting thoughts on Sunday because of the amicus brief. I was asking myself what in the world I was doing at church? I'm the mother of a transgender daughter. How can I support her and be a member of the church? As I was sitting in sacrament the spirit was really strong, almost unbearable. I even said Ok I get it. Wanting the tears to stop flowing. Later I received a personal blessing while being set apart for a calling, that gave me guidance for my family. I don't understand all things, but I trust God. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03401206959892642200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2119378132454669317.post-13534807448962497842017-02-22T19:34:06.171-08:002017-02-22T19:34:06.171-08:00Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Kyle....Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Kyle. There are lots of us out here who'd like to help you build that house.Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04204959723370009753noreply@blogger.com