tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post3123510873668954107..comments2024-02-17T06:39:55.875-08:00Comments on Ben There, Done That: Pride Is the Opposite of ShameBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04151204932376899998noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-5544257334316352182023-06-30T10:43:41.055-07:002023-06-30T10:43:41.055-07:00A decade ago, I chaffed at the mention of Pride an...A decade ago, I chaffed at the mention of Pride and felt repulsed by what I thought was a celebration of sin. I assumed that so-called church members who attended these events were using the name of the church for their own personal agenda. I now wear a rainbow bracelet to church. I had been in my leadership calling for a couple of months when I was invited to a group in our stake called, "Positive Momentum." A Lesbian sister offered her idea to our stake president, and they organized the group a year ago. She leads the group, and we counsel together as members of the LGBTQ+ and/or the Church communities on how to see each other and love each other better. I explained to the leaders in my ward that my rainbow serves as a "reverse medical alert" bracelet. I want to prevent suicide. As an ongoing survivor of mental illness, I know the anguish of feeling so acutely apart from everyone that I would rather be dead because at least then, I would belong somewhere. Other crises can also be averted--youth homelessness, broken relationships, bullying, addictions, and what you candidly shared about experiencing shame. Anyway, I was amazed at how many people had no idea what an understated rainbow emblem signified. Thank you for using your journey to bring hope and healing to those injured by ignorance, bigotry, shame, and fear. There is room for all of us when love leads the way.Elissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10540792722754301376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-68467854443453500402023-06-21T14:36:24.134-07:002023-06-21T14:36:24.134-07:00Wonderful story and so true on so many levels! Wonderful story and so true on so many levels! Valerie Shermannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-29724920495236543122023-06-06T16:39:57.478-07:002023-06-06T16:39:57.478-07:00I’m a better person after reading your book Ben. T...I’m a better person after reading your book Ben. Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-35454956613462564232023-06-03T10:41:23.264-07:002023-06-03T10:41:23.264-07:00Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Matt Cannadynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-66332159869351478202023-06-02T09:13:34.327-07:002023-06-02T09:13:34.327-07:00I just read this for the first time after my oldes...I just read this for the first time after my oldest daughter shared the link on FB. I am a grandmother with adult down to toddler grandchildren. Racism, bigotry, ignorance, and intolerance were present in my upbringing and community. I have never been okay with these things…they’ve always hurt my heart and awakened the advocate/activist in me. Thank you for sharing your insights, feelings, and perspective so eloquently. Your words are how I feel. I don’t have gay children or siblings, and only a few gay and trans friends. But I do have young grandchildren who will always have my unconditional love and whom I will embrace and rejoice in…no matter their journey. I wish I could express my feelings as beautifully as you did; it’s exactly how I feel. I don’t have all the answers…the Gospel seems simple, but sometimes we make it complicated in the Church. But I believe that the only constant and right answer is love. The charity and love that the Savior taught and that He has for each of us. That’s our job, that’s our calling, that’s our opportunity, that’s our journey. At least I know it’s mine. So thank you again. God bless. Ilenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-80257804057850516222023-06-02T08:28:57.623-07:002023-06-02T08:28:57.623-07:00Good for you, being you! I am a stage four cancer ...Good for you, being you! I am a stage four cancer survivor over 20 years. People often tempt me and taunt me with foods that I cannot eat. You see, cancer and disease is very often caused by lack of nutrition. I spend a lot of my time, making sure I am healthy, others push back because they want to be validated for their unhealthy habits. While it is harder for you, people forget if you live with cancer that you are still your fighting. In the fighting, I find that I have a greater acceptance for the difference of others. There are things in my environment that I have to constantly eliminate that are considered socially acceptable. Why can’t you do this or that? Why should I spend more money on this or that? In an abstract way, this probably sounds familiar. Our battles are quite different. They are battles just the same. Thanks for sharing your story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-65662482972549347552023-06-02T06:53:57.606-07:002023-06-02T06:53:57.606-07:00Reading this for the first time. Thanks for your p...Reading this for the first time. Thanks for your perspective. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-73528511675933818082021-06-16T01:40:00.987-07:002021-06-16T01:40:00.987-07:00This is my 16 year old daughter's first Pride ...This is my 16 year old daughter's first Pride Month out. She's only out to her immediate family and a few friends. For the first time in my life I now see what Pride can mean for someone.<br /><br /> I have a few rainbow items I wear all year. The first time I wore something my daughter's eyes lit up and she said, "Thanks, Mom". I wear a rainbow to give some hope and love especially to any closeted kids. I wear a rainbow to celebrate my daughter's life, because we're lucky she's still here.<br /><br /> Six months ago she was hospitalized with suicidal thoughts and a plan. A plan she had been carefully crafting for months. A plan that if we hadn't found out that day she would have been gone the next. It chills me to the core when I think of it. <br /><br />I personally have something to celebrate this month. The gift of my precious daughter. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-53747330998628429712021-06-07T03:21:37.326-07:002021-06-07T03:21:37.326-07:00Thank you for your story Ben!Thank you for your story Ben!Animal3https://www.blogger.com/profile/16645619582113956762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-85921968020257435852020-06-01T21:27:27.377-07:002020-06-01T21:27:27.377-07:00This is beautiful, Ben. Thanks for helping all of ...This is beautiful, Ben. Thanks for helping all of us understand.michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09182337567744437658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-74323963603264270892019-09-10T08:01:17.589-07:002019-09-10T08:01:17.589-07:00I am the mom with the rainbow windsock hanging on ...I am the mom with the rainbow windsock hanging on my porch. For every LGBTQ+ individual that comes out, there is a mom and/or dad that must step forward with pride also and honor their child. Thank you for these wonderful words! Speaking of Mormons Building Bridges, I am flying to Utah for the conference in September. Will you be there Ben? Cris Conertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03378665586742830045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-31005340074161708632019-07-24T15:16:24.613-07:002019-07-24T15:16:24.613-07:00Thank you for this. Beautiful words! Thank you for this. Beautiful words! Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830387346865689512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-70261378786961215042019-07-03T11:40:42.515-07:002019-07-03T11:40:42.515-07:00Thank you for this perspective Ben! Thank you for this perspective Ben! Steven Madsennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-68689862278843465552019-07-03T09:50:58.415-07:002019-07-03T09:50:58.415-07:00i have a similar growth. not quite as far with th...i have a similar growth. not quite as far with thr rainbows, but getting close. Jacobhttp://unconfirmedbachelor.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-43562108331657087312019-07-02T14:51:19.775-07:002019-07-02T14:51:19.775-07:00I have never connected with the pride thing. I kno...I have never connected with the pride thing. I know all too well living with the shame thing. Now I live with neither. I try to live genuine and charitable and encourage others to do the same. Brianthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14062439165017736854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-4314847115736106722019-07-02T13:13:39.136-07:002019-07-02T13:13:39.136-07:00As always, very profound and absolutely beautiful!...As always, very profound and absolutely beautiful!Lauranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565469030539917833.post-14312079071971046432019-07-02T10:05:45.244-07:002019-07-02T10:05:45.244-07:00YES! No shame No Mo ☺️ I love your words and your ...YES! No shame No Mo ☺️ I love your words and your heart, Ben. Thank you for sharing ❤️The Mathews Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08094932953710207958noreply@blogger.com