Background
It was recently announced by Harmony that the apostles of Canada and the United states agreed to move forward in revising the interim LGBTQIA policies, and make them official policies. As it is now, many of the interim policies (British Isles, USA, Australia, Canada, Western Europe) all say the same thing, sometimes word for word. In fact, I decided to create a single document with all of them so you can compare them quickly. Frankly, it feels like IHQ had a hand in drafting the policies since they’re all so similar, but I digress.
My Goals
These policies were written nearly a decade ago, and some of the terminology clearly shows that queer folks weren’t a large presence in the drafting of it. For example, the Canadian policy has a heading entitled “Ordination of Priesthood of Same-Sex/Gender Orientation”. While I know the goal was to convey something like “If you are a man who is attracted to men”, but it did so very poorly. How it comes off to people in the LGBTQIA community would be kind of like saying “If you are a man that is a man”, which just sounds ridiculous.
Luckily, we are in a position to revise these interim policies before they become official policies. I want to help craft a version of this policy that honors the live experiences of LGBTQIA folks like me.
I noticed a couple of common threads among all of the different policies, and I have decided to consolidate and modernize the terminology, while also omitting frivolous clarifications.
My Proposed Revised Policies
The following is to be ratified as official policy for the nation of [INSERT HERE]:
1. All of the sacraments which the church performs are available to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
1A. Traditionally the marriage commitment statement is found in Doctrine and Covenants 111: 2. However, the following adapted version of that statement is also approved by the First Presidency for use during the celebration of marriage:
“You both mutually agree to be each other’s marriage companion, observing the legal rights belonging to this condition: that is keeping yourselves wholly for each other and from all others during your lives?”
1B. Certain pronouns (He, She, They, etc) and titles (Brother, Sister, Sibling / Husband, Wife, Spouse, etc.) may need to be used. Ask the people participating in the sacrament(s) about these beforehand.
2. Ordination to the Priesthood is a possibility for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.