Guest Opinion: The Church and LGBT Youth Suicide: Inaccurate Claims May do More Harm Than Good

Keywords

LGBTQ youth, suicide discourse, church policies

Abstract

In the wake of The Church of Jesus Christ’s recent policy change related to LGBT families and baptisms, one commentator in a national publication rightly acknowledged “that it’s impossible to know the cause of most suicides,” but nonetheless inferred a connection between the “policies of the LDS Church and the high rate of suicide among LGBTQ teens in Utah.”

Numerous national and regional media outlets, including CNN, ABC, Fox, NBC and The Atlantic, among others, have inferred some connection between the church and the rate of suicide among LGBTQ teens in Utah. As with most who address Utah suicides, we believe those speaking out on this issue are sincerely trying to help, and, unquestionably, they are correct when they report that many LGBTQ individuals have struggled with the church’s policies or teachings.

Original Publication Citation

The church and LGBT youth suicide: Inaccurate claims may do more harm than good - https://www.deseret.com/2019/5/7/20672662/guest-opinion-the-church-and-lgbt-youth-suicide-inaccurate-claims-may-do-more-harm-than-good

Document Type

Other

Publication Date

2019

Publisher

Deseret News

Language

English

College

Religious Education

Department

Church History and Doctrine

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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