What (and What Not) to Say to Someone Experiencing Same-Sex Attraction

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Kylie Ravsten

Joined: May 2014

Homosexuality is a sensitive and complex issue, which can makeย talking about itย difficult. Believing Latter-day Saints who experience same-sex attraction often feel caught in between two worldsโ€”the Latter-day Saint community who, while most often well-intentioned, can say insensitive or hurtful things, and the LGBT-identified community who will often judge them as not being โ€œtrue to themselves.โ€

Here are some things you can say and do (and some things to avoid) toย help those who experience same-sex attraction.

What to Say (and Do):

Listen to them and let them set the tone. Sometimes people are very serious about coming out. Other people like to have a lighter or more casual mood. Itโ€™s their story that they want to share, so let them set the tone. While this may be new or difficult information for you, theyโ€™re the one taking the greatest risk here, so do your best to help them feel comfortable.

โ€œThank you for trusting me.โ€ย Every single time that someone opens up to another person, they are taking a huge emotional and social risk. If someone opens up to you, they are showing you that they trust you. Remember to thank them for having such a firm trust in you. And donโ€™t forget that you must continue to be worthy of their trust.

Read the full article on LDSliving.com.