I always dreaded the interviews. Even when my dad was the bishop. That probably made it worse honestly. I knew it was abnormal for kids my age to be exposed to this type of questioning but it’s not like I had any choice to go. Throughout my youth and early adult life I struggled with my sexuality because of these interviews. I wanted to explore that part of myself but had been taught to pretend like it didn’t exist. At one point my bishop referred me to a church counsellor who I thought would help me come to terms with myself but instead reinforced the idea that something must be wrong with me. Drinking and drug abuse were my only distractions from the self loathing. I feel like a heterosexual male in this modern day is the last person you would expect to be persecuted for their sexuality so I can’t begin to imagine the ordeal for someone who is a more unique sexuality/gender.
Share this article